High quality event photography has the ability to capture one-of-a-kind moments and preserve them forever, letting those in attendance relive their memories years later and giving those who were absent a taste of the spectacle they missed. As technology improves, the possibilities of event photography and videography expand to offer immersive experiences that give viewers a whole new perspective they may not have had even if they were at the event.

There are a few different ways you can document your event, and they depend on who (or what) you want in control of the camera. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but at least one of the methods is sure to make your event as unforgettable as it should be, and all are guaranteed to last well into the future. Read on for an in-depth look at some of the most popular event photography options out there, and who they’re best suited for.

Hire a Photographer

Photo: www.meetingsnet.com

The first tried and true method of capturing your event is hiring an event photographer. Depending on the size of your event, you may even want to hire a few. There are some obvious advantages to this method, as photographers have access to performers and areas of venues that regular guests don’t, so they can get pictures of concerts from the stage, get aerial shots from the rafters, or a handful of other shots that would otherwise be impossible. A good photographer will also interact with your guests, giving a more realistic human touch to the photos.

Photo: Tiesto’s Club Life

While these are trained professionals, it’s still a good idea to look at some of their work first to make sure you know what you should expect. In theory, they will take tons of amazing pictures for you and get them up online almost instantly to document your event photos for both those who are there, and those who aren’t. Photographers are a great choice for smaller events, as they are fairly reasonably priced compared to some of the other options out there, with hourly rates ranging from $50 to $300. Some photographers may also charge you extra for specific services, such as shooting video.

When deciding whether to hire an event photographer, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, make sure they’re a good fit by looking at their portfolio. If it’s full of wedding photos and you’re looking for someone to capture a crowd of over 1,000 people at an EDM show with a fish eye lens, you may be barking up the wrong tree. Secondly, make sure they can do what you expect of them. For example, if you’re interested in capturing some video of your event as well,  make sure the photographer you hire can do that. It may seem obvious, but it is important.

However, hiring a professional photographer may not be the perfect option for every event. If you’re hosting a big festival, for example, there’s a pretty good chance he/she/they are going to miss a lot of the action because they simply can’t be everywhere. Results can also vary extremely depending on who’s behind the camera, so again, make sure you do your research before you hire someone! This research should also encompass if the photographer is proficient with editing tools, like a photographer’s background removal tool, which could significantly enhance the quality of your event’s captured moments.

Rent a Photo Booth

Photo: www.theboothphotovideo.com

A method that has become very popular lately at events both large and small is renting one or more photo booths. Once the booths are up and running, guests can simply step inside and snap a few of their own pictures. Many photo booths come with props that guests can use in their photos, or allow them to add special effects to their pictures. Since guests are taking their own pictures they get more photo options to choose from and more time to decide how to present themselves. They add a fun, interactive element to the picture taking process that is perfect for social events such as weddings, corporate functions, movie premieres, and so on.

Photo: www.theboothphotovideo.com

Once guests are satisfied with their pictures they’re obviously going to want to get their hands on a copy. Many photo booths will print out photos so guests can take them home, but in today’s fast-paced world print outs can feel a little old-fashioned to some. New technology in the industry offers an option that many users may find more appealing; the ability to immediately share the photos from the booth on social media.

One great example of a company that offers this type of service is the Vancouver based TapSnap. After taking their pictures, guests can simply head over to one of the company’s sharing kiosks where they can easily share the photos across social media with their friends. TapSnap also offer a variety of add-ons to their service, including a social photographer who’ll come to the event and take photos like the event photographers mentioned above, but also has special software that allows him/her to instantly send the pictures to the sharing kiosks so they can be accessed by guests.

Photo: TapSnap

The main drawback of using photo booths at your event is that you can’t get any full shots of the what is going on outside. You’re limited to photos of people who choose to go into the booth, which means you’re probably going to end up missing a slice of the action. If your event is a concert or some other type of performance, you’re going to want a photography option that can produce lots of quality pictures of the main attraction, in which case a photo booth just may not cut it.

Aerial Drone Photography and Videography

Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The final option for event photography seems like something out of a science fiction film, but it is very real and becoming more popular every day. Cameras attached to drones can take breathtaking images and videos of events from hundreds of feet up in the sky. Drones are an extremely popular option for outdoor events and large festivals, but have also been used inside venues and arenas. The sensation of weightlessness you can feel viewing pictures and videos taken by drones can make an event seem surreal and larger than life, and are a great way to capture the energy and electricity of huge parties and festivals. Drone photography is perfect for large scale events featuring large crowds and multiple stages/attractions.

If you are interested in investing in some drone photography/videography of your next event, there are a few vital things to consider. First of all, as drone technology is very new, it is important you work with an experienced company. Secondly, make sure you choose a company that has documented an event similar to the one you are planning, and ask to see some of their work. Thirdly, make sure you’re covered! Drones are super expensive, and fly hundreds of feet up in the air, so be sure to pick a service that offers adequate liability insurance. Finally, if you are planning on using drones within a venue, make sure you clear that with the venue owners first.

When done correctly, the results of drone photography/videography are drop dead gorgeous. Check out this video for a good example:

There is one drawback to drones. As you could expect, they can get pretty expensive. A basic point and shoot setup starts at about $1500 with a 1100 foot range. Long range professional systems that reach up to 3 miles can set you back more than $25,000. If you’re putting on a large scale event that will be drawing thousands of visitors and lots of revenue, this could be a great option for you, but obviously don’t invest that kind of money in an event that doesn’t warrant the price tag.

Final Thoughts

As we’ve seen, there are lots of ways to capture and preserve moments from your event. Event photographers will always be a great option for taking high quality shots from a variety of different angles. They have the versatility of capturing not only guests at an event, but performers and behind the scenes moments as well. Photo booths are a fun way to engage guests in the photographic process and ensure that everyone is satisfied with how they are portrayed at the event, and services like TapSnap can take that to the next level by offering limitless features and add-ons to make the experience even more enjoyable. Finally, if you’re hosting large scale events, you may want to consider a drone to take aerial photos and videos for a truly unique perspective.

No matter what option you choose, the most important thing is to make sure you have done your research and ensured that it will successfully represent your event the way you would like it to be perceived. This article was a good start, now go out and make it happen by contacting a variety of different business and seeing what best suits you. Of course, if you need any advice along the way, we’re always here to help.