People who celebrate special occasions would mostly make it a point to take photos. Weddings, birthdays, graduations–these are just some of the few but great examples of special occasions where photographers would be present.

If you are a budding event photographer who wants to give the best work to clients, what are some tips to be exceptional in your craft? Ava Rose Taylor Adoption presents these tips that could help special event photographers have great shots on-site.

Get to the event early.

An essential rule for photographers is to go to the venue early, even before it starts. There are many reasons why this is important:

• It helps you set up your equipment early on. Setting up equipment such as lighting, backdrops, or other fixtures may take time. By going there early, you won’t miss out on any potential chance to take a photo as the event starts.
• It allows you to find vantage points. If you are taking photos of a wedding, you need to have prenuptial and post-nuptial shoots. When you are early in the venue, you can pick areas where you would do these shots.
• It makes room for unexpected events. There may be instances where the weather won’t be cooperative. In some occasions, there will be conflicts between you and other event suppliers. It is best to go early to help you resolve these conflicts before the event.

Give clear prompts to your subjects.

When providing shots, be sure to use clear, simple language when giving prompts. Avoid using technical terms when giving instructions. According to Ava Rose Taylor Adoption, it may be best to help your subjects visualize a specific relatable comparison. For example, you can use terms such as “Smile with your eyes” or “Imagine that someone you love comes home after not seeing them in a long time”.

These imaginary scenarios can help you achieve the desired results. It will also lessen the confusion for your subjects when following your instructions.

Offer a photo booth package.

A great idea that could boost your client’s event photography experience is to offer a photo booth area. Offer to set up a backdrop with props that match the event’s theme. You can send your client some samples that they would like.

These photo booths can be operated by your assistants as you take photos of the event themselves. It’s a great idea as a form of souvenir for the guests at the event.

Take both natural shots and planned shots.

To have a great variety with your event photos, make sure to take natural or “candid” shots as well as planned ones. Candid shots are great to help commemorate the flow of the event, and planned shots can help people pick choices that they can frame or place in a photo album.

Offering this variety will allow your clients to make a roster of photos they would like to include in their soft copy and hard copy files.

Get to know your clients’ VIPs.

There’s nothing worse than taking shots of random things and people that don’t mean as much to the client. To help you do this correctly, you need to identify which people are closest to your clients. For example, prior to a birthday, learn who the client’s family are, or special people in their lives. This way, it would be easier to take more photos of those people.

These tips are surefire ways to help event photographers make the best outputs for their clients. Remember these basic principles, and you can be a step ahead in your business.