5 Tips for Perfect Group Photos at Chicago Corporate Events
Covered in this post—
Planning ahead
Poses and arrangements
Lighting and technical aspects
Engaging with subjects
The number of photo opportunities at a corporate event is virtually limitless. Group photos are one of the most popular options as they give you the ability to incorporate several team members, attendees, or featured speakers in a single image.
The key, as with most things in event management is planning. The process is much more involved than simply snapping a photo when a large group gathers. By taking the time prior to the event to have the proper pieces in place, you can ensure that you receive high-quality images from your photography team.
Getting everyone in frame is the easy part, but with a professional photographer on staff, you will be able to set the stage for amazing photos that can be used for social media, follow-up campaigns, future event promotion, and much more.
At Mark Campbell Productions, we pride ourselves on the little details that make a big difference in professional photography. Our professional photographers work closely with your event management team from the planning stage through post-production and editing.
As you prepare for your next corporate event, here are five helpful tips to make sure that your group photos deliver.
Tip 1: Plan Ahead
We don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but planning is an essential ingredient for any type of event photography, especially group images. There are a number of things to consider before the event is underway. Venue is a key component that should be shared with your photography team, as it is the first in several dominoes that will later fall into place.
Take the time to walk the space with your photographer to find the best options on where to stage group photos. The ideal spot might not be where you initially envisioned, as lighting, backdrop, and more will all impact the final product.
Here are a couple of suggestions that our team recommends:
The Entrance – This makes for a great photo op and can capture group excitement as they enter the event. Stage an area where photos can be easily taken that doesn’t disrupt the flow, but is easily seen to encourage participation. Also, consider having attendees take photos with their smartphones to share on social media for added exposure.
Vendor Booths – If you want to shine a light on your vendors, the best way is to get a group shot in front of their booth. Typically these shots will include a smaller number of people, allowing the photographer to highlight some of the energy within the crowd as well as those working the event.
As you plan out the event and the desired shot list, you may find that multiple photographers, or specialized equipment, such as backdrops and lighting, will be needed. Because of this, the earlier you can involve the photography team the better, because they will need to allocate resources should your needs exceed initial expectations.
Tip 2: Poses and Arrangements
We’ve all seen event photos where every member of the group involved looked out of place and the posed forced. Most of the time, this can be completely avoided when a professional photographer is utilized. One of the biggest drawbacks to using an amateur photographer to cover your event is the lack of knowledge on how to guide participants toward natural and engaging poses.
Poorly constructed photos and faked poses are difficult to use in post-event marketing campaigns because touch-ups can only go so far. Having a Ricky Bobby moment, where guests don’t know what to do with their hands will happen, but with proper guidance, capturing a great image is easy.
One of the most important things to consider when planning group photos is the overall size of the group. Typically the smaller the better, with the sweet spot being around 4-6 people. Keeping groups within this range makes it easier for the photographer to provide direction, keeps everyone in the frame, and prevents the dreaded high school football team photo where you have to hunt for a familiar face.
Tip 3: Lighting Matters
Lighting is a component that cannot be overlooked and one that a seasoned photographer will be able to iron out during the pre-event planning process. Very few event venues were created with photography in mind. Most will have a couple of areas where lighting is great, but for the most part, you will have to work with what you have got.
It may be possible to stage group photos in a well-lit area that makes everyone look like they just stepped off a Hollywood stage, but it is more likely that equipment will need to be brought in to help give that extra glow.
Tip 4: Equipment and Technical Considerations
The technical aspect of the job extends well beyond lighting setups. Depending on the setting, and your preferred shot list, a variety of different pieces of equipment may be necessary. Where an amateur might only be equipped with a DSLR and a 35mm lens, a professional team will have a wide range of equipment to make sure each shot is laser sharp and everyone is in frame.
We won’t get into the technical aspects of camera settings in this article but don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding these components because it can be a great way to evaluate an event photographer. They should be able to easily articulate how they would frame the shot, and the settings that they might use, and should be able to provide you with similar examples within their portfolio prior to the event.
Tip 5: Engaging Your Subjects
Do you remember what it was like taking pictures for the yearbook in high school? Single file, take a quick shot, and on to the next. This isn’t a slight on the photographer used, those are purely a numbers game. What was likely missing was rapport between the photographer and the subject.
Genuine smiles and expressions don’t always come easy. People are conditioned to take posed photos from a very early age. To get high-quality group photos at a corporate event, the photographer should go beyond the traditional “Say Cheese!”
Great photographers are constantly engaging, making attendees laugh, and making the overall experience memorable. By doing so, they are able to capture real emotion, instead of manufactured smiles.
Final Thoughts
Group photos captured during corporate events have the ability to generate lasting impressions and extensive ROI. Getting the photos right is a learned process, that takes years to understand and perfect. We encourage you to apply these tips for your next corporate event because we are confident they will provide exceptional results.
If you are looking for an event photographer for your next Chicago-based event, consider the Mark Campbell Productions team. We will walk you through the process, and then help you capture amazing images that can be leveraged well after the event wraps up.
To learn more about the MCP team and our services, connect with our team.