First Things First: Why Photography Mattered More Than Ever
Organizing our company’s annual gala made it clear to me that I needed someone to photograph the gala so it would show its true nature. Video that is more than just the usual few close-up shots. I wanted storytelling through images. Moments captured that show what the company, its energy and its staff were like at the time.
A corporate event doesn’t rely only on speeches and networking. It’s about capturing your company’s culture in action. It’s then that having the right photographer counts the most.
This is what I focused on while looking, almost missed and used as tips to help me land the right job for me.
Step One: Clarifying What We Needed
Outlining our goals was the first thing I did before looking for a corporate event photographer on Google.
What kind of event were we hosting?
Who would be there?
What were the must-have shots?
It was important to include information from the big speeches and workshops, the work that went on backstage, the networking events, awards and behind-the-scenes action and meetings.
Chiefly, each photo’s usage included interviews, press statements, online posts and our corporate website. It became clear that a photographer had to manage both great-looking images and a wide variety of tasks.
Step Two: Browsing Portfolios Like a Detective
Now the research began. I combed through dozens of online portfolios.
In the beginning, I focused on beautiful images from weddings and fashion shoots, but soon saw that’s not what I wanted. I wasn’t looking for moody lighting or dramatic poses. I was looking for authenticity, energy, and sharp storytelling.
What made a difference was asking myself: Could my company fit into these images?
Many of the standout pictures captured people naturally during other business events. Smiling faces. Focused teams. People mid-conversation. Nothing too staged or awkward. When I saw their pictures of these events, these photographers went straight onto my list.
Pro tip? Look at full albums—not just highlight reels. That’s how you see consistency.
Step Three: Reading Reviews (and Between the Lines)
After making a group of five photographers, I spent time reading what others have said. But I didn’t just count the stars. I looked for patterns in the feedback.
Were clients praising the photographer’s punctuality? Were there any comments on whether they dealt effectively with changes or challenges? Did their energy add or subtract from the event?
A few reviews stood out:
- “She made even the shyest people feel comfortable.”
- She remained unnoticed, but didn’t miss a single major event.
- “Our photos were ready fast—and beautifully edited.”
That kind of real-world insight was gold. To me, this wasn’t just picking a photographer, but allowing someone into how we work. We required candidates who could handle the social dynamics, function well with the rest of our team and be adaptable.
Step Four: Asking the Right Questions
When I had shortlisted it to two companies, I organized brief calls with them. This is where things got interesting.
I did explain the importance of discussing costs, how long it will take and what ownership of the images will be. But I also asked deeper questions like:
- “What’s your approach to capturing candid moments?”
- “What do you do when the lighting goes from bright to dark very quickly?”
- Let me know of an occasion when something was not smooth for you—and the way you handled it.
What they said showed me how they work, handle challenges and act overall. One photographer gave vague replies and seemed distracted. The other? She was determined and had good ideas, questionning me back on brand direction, our intents and the look we wanted.
That’s when I knew I had found the one.
Step Five: Checking Fit With the Team
I honestly wanted to make sure, so I mentioned her to a few teammates, with a lot of the stage appearances and photo opportunities in mind.
Why?
Because I wanted everyone to feel comfortable. Bear in mind that a corporate event works well only if people are relaxed with each other. And uncomfortable people make for stiff photos.
Luckily, our team loved her warm yet professional style. Someone recalled meeting her at a conference in another industry and really liked what she did.
Step Six: Reviewing the Contract (Don’t Skip This)
After we agreed, she sent me a clearly written contract for review. I read every word.
It outlined:
- The number of hours of coverage
- The number of edited images we’d receive
- Deadlines for delivery
- What was included in post-production
- Terms for cancellation or rescheduling
Reading the report gave me confidence and showed me that she handled everything professionally. It wasn’t just a gig. It was a well-run business.
Step Seven: Trusting the Process on the Big Day
One thing that came to my mind as I got there was that photography was something I could do. She was at the venue early, checked everything, teamed up with our audio-visual specialists and set a strategy by herself.
She stayed near I mean, never far off, just calmly watching throughout the day. She noticed the little signs of working life: the teamwork-sparking high-fives, the laugh bursts from the CEO and the deep focus on new ideas.
Seeing her get low to the ground, move beside her subjects and use furniture for a raised angle stayed in my mind. She cared.
That level of engagement made all the difference.
Step Eight: Reviewing the Results
A week or so later, I got the set of pictures in my email.
And wow.
Every moment I hoped to capture—was there. But there were also many others that didn’t even cross my mind such as the event planner wiping her face as everything is put into place. The intern making her first handshake with a client for the first time. Our CFO smiling over a cup of coffee.
These weren’t just photos. They showed how much we cared about our culture, worked as a team and had fun.
I posted them on Slack and then got messages from my colleagues almost immediately.
“This is amazing!”
“Please tell me she’s available next year!”
“Can I get this one printed for my desk?”
That’s when I knew I had chosen right.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Right Isn’t Luck—It’s Intentional
It isn’t left to luck when you are choosing a photographer for a corporate event. It’s about clarity, research, and asking the right questions. Select someone who is right for your event not only by skill, but also by attitude and energy.
- Consider this your review if you’re putting together an event:
- Define your goals clearly. Know what moments matter most.
- Dive deep into portfolios. Look for consistency, not just highlights.
- Read reviews with curiosity. Search for signs of reliability and personality.
- Interview intentionally. Ask questions that reveal how they work.
- Test the team fit. People relax around photographers they trust.
- Check the contract. Clarity avoids conflict later.
- Trust the pro. Let them do what they do best.
- Enjoy the results. You’re investing in visual storytelling.
You can be sure—people will look back at the pictures after the excitement is gone.
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