make cash from events
Events can be extremely lucrative, as long as you’re prepared to put in the time
Shooting events is a good way to earn money with your camera, and it can offer more diverse subjects than specialising purely as, say, a wedding photographer. Events work involves a number of different photographic and business skills, because you need to be able to shoot many different types of subject, and to deal with the needs and demands of both the organisers and participants.
The skills and style of photography needed for shooting a corporate function, say, are very different to those needed for shooting sports events, so you need to decide which types of events you want to shoot.
Experience pays
Before you start charging for your event photography, it pays to get some experience of the type of events you plan to cover. You can often find small, local events to shoot for free that will enable you to gain some experience, although even these will often require you to be able to demonstrate that you can provide images suitable for their needs. You may also have to pass a criminal record (CRB) check if the event involves children. Many charities hold fundraising events such as fun runs or activity days that need photographers, which are perfect for learning the basics, so try approaching these organisations, or look out for adverts for volunteer photographers on job websites such as www.indeed.com to find events close to your home.
Once you have the experience you need, and you’ve developed your skills, you can begin to look for paid work. Start by approaching local businesses and events, although don’t be surprised if it takes some time before you get your first booking, because it can be a difficult area to break into without a track record. You’ll have a better chance of getting bookings if you can show organisers that you’re capable of shooting photographs that capture the spirit of the event and its participants.
Remember that while it’s great to shoot creative images using techniques such as motion blur, shallow depth of field or panning to show some action, most event organisers are more interested in seeing pin-sharp images that clearly show what’s happening, and who’s there, than in arty
techniques. Make sure that you get your straight shots before you try to get too arty with your images – although there’s nothing wrong with getting some more creative pictures once you have your ‘banker’ images in the bag.
gear up
You can start shooting small events with fairly basic kit, but there are many functions that will require more specialised equipment. For many sports events, for example, you’ll need wide-aperture, long telephoto lenses and a camera capable of shooting at high ISO settings to get acceptable results in low light.
A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens would be perfect if you could get reasonably close to the action, but a lens with a focal length of 300mm or longer will be necessary for many motorsports or equestrian events, where you’ll need to shoot from a distance.
Many corporate events require you to shoot formal portraits on location, so you’ll need a portable studio with at least two lights and a backdrop, while other events will call for specialised equipment such as on-site printing with immediate access for customers, which you wouldn’t have as part of your normal photography equipment. You’ll need to take this into account when you’re looking at the costs involved when setting up your business. Shooting events can involve some long hours, starting with