Dallas Corporate Conference Photography: Shot Sheet 101
A few weeks ago I had a planning call with a client about an upcoming conference that we are covering. We first shot for this particular client when their conference was in DFW a few years ago. They were thrilled with the results. I quote the client - “we had photos for every application for the entire year - all from you!”
That’s a happy client. The following year, the conference took place in a different city, far from Texas. They hired all contract work from that city, which certainly makes sense in terms of efficiency and cost-savings.
Well, the photography and videography hire was a total flop. Instead of having a year’s worth of photos for website, advertising and marketing and social media, the client wound up with lots of detail photos of signage and spread of bagels, coffee and cream cheese. Money down the drain. Frustration high, and the frequently-heard cry of many people I talk to - “we are never doing that again!!!”
When it comes to booking Dallas corporate conference photographers, you want the best. I promise that in this instance, getting the cheapest and most cost-effective rate won’t lead to the outcomes you are hoping for. If you go that route, you’ll end up with lots of pictures of bagels that nobody, including yourself wants to ever look at again.
Be a smart consumer. Look at the whole picture. Look at the outcomes you want. And after you’ve considered all of those critical angles, then, and only then, choose a Dallas corporate conference photographer who can deliver those outcomes.
Once you’ve decided on your photographer (and can I recommend hiring at least a few weeks out of your event? It gives you time to think on everything you want from photography instead of flying by the seat of your pants last minute), it’s time to make a shot list.
Some shot lists are simple, and they absolutely can be when you have an expert photographer like ours at JWCannon Creative. Some shot lists are extremely detailed, as the client knows exactly what they want and almost as important, exactly what they don’t want. A few examples:
Candid shots. This usually ranks as the highest request for all Dallas corporate conference photography needs. They want compelling candids that are on-brand and can be used across mediums.
Posed shots. What do you want captured that is posed? Awards? Group shots? These are good things to know ahead of time!
Speaker shots. Most conferences have an abundance of speakers happening simultaneously. If there are critical speakers to capture, put it in your shot sheet so we are sure to get the shots.
Large group shots. This is a frequent request these days. We’ve done shots of 100, 200 and even more than 300 event attendees. I equate the uptick in big group shots to our Covid years and the group-drought we all underwent. Bring on the group photos, I say!
What you DON’T want! Go ahead - write down what you don’t want! “We don’t want pictures of people’s badges!” “We don’t care about buffet tables and what was served for lunch!” “We don’t need anything that doesn’t feature people!”
Okay my friends - you’re now free to move about the shot sheet cabin. Build your list and have fun doing it!