Ever wondered what it’s really like to be an event photographer? From high-energy sporting events with thousands of participants to intimate corporate conferences, it may sound like a glamorous job, but there's much more to it than meets the eye. Today, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a professional event photographer, giving you the full picture of what goes on before, during, and after the event.
Early Mornings & Preparation
My day often starts around 6 am, depending on the event’s location. Getting to the venue early is key to setting up and getting familiar with the space before guests arrive. But the prep actually begins the night before. I always run through a mental (and sometimes physical!) checklist to ensure everything is in order for the shoot.
Pre-shoot essentials include:
Fully charging all batteries (and packing spares, of course!)
Arranging my gear – I typically shoot with two cameras, making it easier to switch between lenses quickly. For most events, my go-to lenses are the 24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8, though this can vary based on the client’s specific needs.
Packing the car with all necessary equipment. For some events, this could just be my camera kit; for others, I may bring along a full mobile studio setup, complete with professional lighting.
Checking the route and ensuring the car has enough petrol – there’s nothing worse than an unexpected detour!
The Event: Capturing Key Moments
Event photography often means long hours – sometimes 10 to 12 hours, depending on the schedule. Throughout the day, I’ll capture key moments, from candid interactions to posed group shots and everything in between. Communication is essential in this role. Before the event, I work closely with clients to fully understand their expectations and ensure I cover all the important aspects of the day.
I always shoot in RAW format, as this gives me more flexibility when it comes to editing later. RAW files capture much more data than JPEGs, which means I can fine-tune exposure, colour balance, and other elements without sacrificing image quality. This is especially important for event photography, where lighting conditions can vary dramatically.
Post-Event: Editing & Delivering Photos
Once the event is over, the work isn’t done yet! One of the most important parts of the job is quickly delivering key images to the event organisers. These photos are often used for press releases, social media updates, and marketing materials, so time is of the essence.
After sending over the first batch of photos, I dive into the full post-production process. This is where the magic happens. Using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, I go through each image, adjusting exposure, contrast, and sharpness to make sure every shot pops. I’ll then send the final gallery over to the client, and any additional edits can be made as needed.
If you’ve got an important event coming up – whether it’s a conference, product launch, or corporate celebration – hiring a professional event photographer ensures all the key moments are captured. Great event photography is invaluable for your marketing, giving you high-quality content that can be used across your website, social media, and promotional materials.