How to get into CORPORATE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY - tips to get clients and jobs! 

It sounds like I may have stumbled into the beginning of a new career, c/o my current employer! I'm a beginner photographer(including aerial photography with my drone) and I've been working with my company now for about 13 years. This year for our Corporate Challenge events, they were thinking about finding an official photographer. A friend that I work with, who is on the Corporate Challenge committee, threw my name in the hat knowing that I'm getting more serious with my photography lately. So the head of the Corporate Challenge committee came to me and asked if I was interested! Although I won't get top dollar, I will get some compensation but as a beginner I don't care! It's a deal for them and a recurring Corporate Event gig for me. It's a win/win! This could be huge, this is a worldwide company! Now I'm just trolling for tips on what to shoot! lol

Helpful tips and other comments. Thank you ...

I actually photograph people and processes in plants for a manufacturing firm on the side, I was hired because one of their marketing employees saw some of my photos on my office desk and asked for a quote. They liked the quote (I think I priced myself a little low, but oh well!) and I am now doing 6 manufacturing facilities for them since they liked the first shoot so much. So it can happen even when you're not expecting it.

This video was fire. I live in DC, been low balling myself! New game plan.

Hi Nicole Ive been watching your videos and you have really given me a lot of info I needed! Thank YOU!!.. I started photography 1 yr ago, and im Loving it haven't gotten paid for anything i wanted to learn how to use the camera 1st. I think im ready now to get out there. Just submitted some pics to Shutterstock but i want to do more. I am in the DMV area would love to intern with you!! Thank you ..

Thank you for this video

Great video. Yes, me again. Most of my work was 2 to 4 day events, sometimes including evenings. I charged a flat rate for the day/evening included. When asked why my rate was as high as it was my answer was; "if you go overtime there is no additional cost so you don't have to be concerned about going over budget & you know there are always schedule changes. Call me the last minute to come in earlier or stay later, you want images on site or the next morning so you can have them for video display. I had a MAJOR automaker ask for images every 30 mins so they could put them up on the video screens. At events people would see me & say they saw themselves on the screens & were excited about it. Go figure. Yes, I did lots of dinners, cocktail hours, holiday parties (posted their images online for ordering on a secure site) and embassy events; used to call some 'grip & grins' lol.

Insightful Nicole!

Nicole, would love to see a video (or two) on camera/flash techniques and general workpractices, etc. for event shoots. Like you, I shoot editorial stock--but there's (usually) no pressure involved. Enjoy all your videos. Thanks. --Michael

Great vid and advice!

Great info! I'm a wedding photographer based out of Chicago and I'm planning on doing much more corporate events this year and in the future.

Thank you!!!

Awesome Vid

Thanks, Nicole! Useful stuff....and just wow, can't believe how much effort you are putting in to this after working a full day, hope it's paying off for you!

My general rule for pay is the hourly rate from my current job. If I'm not going to get paid what I already get paid per hour, I may as well do overtime at my current job. Take the event time, add the editing hours and multiply by your hourly rate + any materials if physical prints are needed. The only reason to increase would be if you are in greater demand than what you have time to accomplish. Then your time becomes a bidding war between who is willing pay more. This allows you to price yourself at what you are worth without under paying or pricing yourself out of the market. Of course, this only works if you don't have a ridiculously high paying job. In which case, you should probably be just doing photography as a hobby unless you REALLY have a passion for it.

Hi Nicole, I did the same for many years. Event photography, weddings and studio work all while working a 9 - 5. I use to shoot events for WJFK before they switch to 106.7 The Fan. I would be done shooting after midnight go home to edit and than hand deliver a CD to the station by 5:30am so they could have the images uploaded to there site before 6:00am so the morning show could talk about that nights event on the Air. Bless you🙏🏽

Nice information and nice video editing 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

I really liked this video. Q: Could you please show 5-10 photos that illustrate typical event shots that are expected by most companies? Who is your contact person/dept? Human Resources? Sales? Who plans these events generally speaking? Q: Is there a dress code? What is expected for a photographer to wear? Q: Do they feed you (if there is food)? Or is that impolite and hands off? Q: How much do you get upfront versus invoiced? Do they pay promptly? Do you recommend any invoicing/billing software? Q: What releases are necessary? Do they own the copyright on these photos because it is a work for hire or are they yours to put on shutterstock at a later date? Please give us more info! Thanks!

I'm a wedding photographer based in Chicago. I'm looking into shooting corporate events and Professional head shots. Thanks for sharing your info

I would definitely hire Nicole for corporate photos!

I speak 17 languages through Google translate. 🤣 Another great video.

I just did my first event a 3 day shoot. They are taking me to Orlando 2 times next month. I short rodeos and a barrel racer is a promoter and she had seen my work and took a chance. It doesn’t hurt to be lucky either. I have. A question how many edited shots do you turn for a 2 hour shoot? I’m digging this my camera was clean when done and I didn’t have to lay in the dirt for 4 hours. Lol

Hi. Thanks for a great video. If an event is 2hrs for example and say you charge $400, how many images do you give the client? Alternatively do you give them proofs and charge extra for processing the selected images?... in addition to the 2hr attendance charge?

First time I've ever been first to comment :)

I was hired to shoot an event. I had been recommended by a friend who shoots sports photography. I video-recorded people taking turns talking at a podium within a building. Extremely boring; had no idea what they were talking about; I felt totally out of place. They liked my work and continued to hire me to video-record other odd things -- like legal stuff. Funny, I'm part German (mother's side) but, born within the United States so, I'm American/German

Awesome advice! I do have a few regular clients who I shoot for. I like the fact you still have your 9-5. I wonder how you remain flexible, if there is a gig you need to shoot during the day? I stack my PTO, and that helps, but at times, it can conflict.

They're booking you to either show the images to customers or new employees, is great to have hi res images on Deck. Maybe for the web or a company document. More importantly marketing and promo. Hi res images are more professional. That's why they book you. #CHEP

You are so busy, don't forget to breathe 😊😊

I’ve done some event photography, my clients have really liked the results, posting to social media the images of the speakers to thank them and some of the people interacting all while thanking me and linking back to my site. However, word of mouth has yet to work for me. (Crickets)

Nicole, thank you for taking the time to post this video, you provided some good info. Few questions though... Are you asking your clients what kind of usage they need w/ the photos before you deliver them or are you giving them all rights to do whatever, forever? As a corporate photographer, I have found that some of my images have helped clients earn over 100K in sales.

Hi Nicole, how would I get started?

Hi Nicole, new subscriber just down 95 from you in Richmond and really enjoying your content. With the hourly rates, do you provide all the raw photos taken, a fixed number of edited or some combination of both. Assuming that's all part of your contract but generally what's that rate get them as far as product? Give a shout if you're ever down this way to shoot.

At corporate events and receptions do the clients often want group pics and pics of people shaking hands? For those pics do you go as far as using a light stand and reflectors?

I shot destination weddings on hot beaches in Mexico, it paid the bills but mostly you stand around waiting. It was kind of boring. And you were not allowed to wear beach wear :-) It was so hot and sweaty.

Oi Nicole, meu nome é Alfredo, moro em Manaus, Amazonas , Brasil. Achei super interessante seu video, eu estava há muito tempo procurando algo desse tipo. Infelizmente aqui no Brasil quando falamos de fotografia o que mais ouvimos é "Fotografia de Casamento", tem pouco material como o seu sobre fotografia corporativa, aliás, quase nada. Aqui em minha cidade temos muitas empresas, temos aqui o chamado "Polo Industrial de Manaus" com empresas como Samsung, LG, Honda, Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Philco e muitas outras centenas de empresas de todo porte... estou tentando entrar no mercado de fotografia corporativa porque aqui não tem um fotógrafo especializado nesta área, como falei, temos muitos fotógrafos de casamentos, já vi algumas empresas trazerem de São Paulo alguns fotógrafos para registrarem seus eventos, o prédio da empresa, os membros da diretoria e os produtos, então acho que aqui tenho um campo muito bom e ainda muito inexplorado nesta área da fotografia. Vou ver todos os seus videos e tenho certeza que poderei aprender muita coisa com você. Obrigado por compartilhar seu conhecimento conosco.

I was working corporate, bought a camera and that’s pretty much it

Event photography = photographing rich people being rich = realizing just how much my life sucks 🥴

Good video, I always was interested in event photography but was wondering if I can do it being handicapped and having to shoot for my mobility scooter.

Nice, doing corporate, school, event, weddings, little league and a year spent as a cruise ship photographer killed any passion I had for photography.

Hi Nicole, I'm interested in photographing the type of events you're talking about. However, as someone just starting (without word of mouth buzz, but good skills and professionalism) How did you get the word out to people in the very beginning? Any tips are appreciated. Thanks from San Francisco.

Your videos are very nice. German! I spent two years in Germany with the 11th Airborne Division.

I have just been asked to do my first corporate event. Contact came from my website. I am mainly a sports photographer, so this will be interesting. Any tips

Is photography your full time job as well?

Hi Nicole, i disagree with you that corporate photography is boring. You can tell a story with it and the companies use those photos for the websites and social media platforms.

Whts your youtube video recording setup?

Hi there, I think you left out a very important part out of the discussion....You mentioned a few times that you got jobs through other photographers....."other photographers that have left the area...or sometimes those that can't cover an event"... But how did you happen to know these people in the first place...?? Without this insight there's nothing to take away from that statement....Is it because you'd rather not say....or admit? "Referred you ...ok referred you how?? It's a virtual certainty that any successful seasoned photographer might have a ton of talented people that they've worked with over the years - So for me it would seem to be the more likely- if they'd choosen you for one of two reasons: You're the best assistant or photographer that ever lived....or maybe a little bit of a fortuitous stroke random luck - some type of family connection or an in' that you might have had that gave you an edge over all the other people ....or through you day job..someone hooked you up?...Most established photographers know a lot of people that are good to excellent ...even if you were a Richard Avedon or a sensation you'd still have to have some solid piece of luck to be the one chosen to get someone's previous clients.... I wish people would be honest about this...most aren't ...:) This is a biggie....I live in Boston ....and few professional photogs here are self made once you dig a bit into their backgrounds ....expensive schools, family connections, money for marketing ...etc. Washington probably the same ..not an arts town..not a talent town....a money town....I've noticed that a lot of the most successful people here where i am aren't even that good relatively speaking...Here .it's much more an issue here of who you know...because it's a very clannish place...I actually met a guy from LA who told me that most photographers in Boston have no talent....haha...He's right partially, i know... Not all cities are the same to the same degree, of course, in NYC outstanding talent can at least get you an interview...real raw talent is appreciated there.....LA as well...Not familiar with Washington ...but i'd bet that it's 80% a who knows who type of place...whereas in other metropolitan areas knowing people is always important - but in some cities it's the only thing that matters ...

Ausgezeichnetes Video und nein, ich bin kein Corporate Event-Fotograf.