Event photography is a great way for some photographers (that like a mass of people and loud music) to make some extra cash shooting events.  These events can range from a black tie affair to a day seminar but people need good photography after their event (not weddings).  My company is a high volume event photography company focusing on homecomings, proms, school events and graduations.  We deliver all images within 4 hours after the event.  It takes a team of trusted photographers but we deliver the goods.  Now, without a team the single photographer can use these three tips to shoot local events and expand your business.  Here is what we learned, hope they help you.

1. Couples will be diverse in skin tone at many affairs you attend. How do you keep an even tone across the image with one being too dark and the other too light? 

ANSWER: Most of the time photographers will use a bracket that moves the light to the top position no matter what position the camera is in. This still won’t fix the issue. Keep your flash in position and turn it to portrait position making sure the flash is on the darker toned person. They will get the most light and the lighter person wont. BAM! Solved.

2. The place is dark and my flash is causing squinting, forehead blowouts, and temporary blindness.

ANSWER: First, you may be too close to your subject, give them a good five feet. This is enough room for distance, a nice shot and for others to know you are shooting “this couple” and you shouldn’t walk through our middle ground. Second, a plastic diffuse cap (or strap a white napkin on with a rubber band). This will make the flash less blinding and will soften the light. Third, crank up the power on that flash a bit and point it to the ceiling. A lot of events we do have high ceiling so we bounce at full power and keep the fresh batteries ready. If these fail go see the person that controls the light and tell them your issue. They may be able to bring the lights up a bit without disturbing the mood.

3. He is 6’4” and she is 5’2” (or the other way around).

ANSWER: Get them while they are BOTH sitting. Once the dishes are clear a nice shot of people sitting is a changeup. You will have to squat a bit but when they are sitting they are more in proportion. Never have the taller sit while the shorter stands, talk about making a person feel smaller than they really are. If they are a few inches off and want to stand I usually split the different in the lens for a crop (waist up shot) then take another full length click.

Remember photography is an art at times and rules can be broken to get a great image that works. Visit my personal portfolio at www.piercebrunsonphotography.com . I hope these tips help you as much as they help us. Let me know how you did on Google+ or Facebook. Thanks and keep shooting.