Why Presence in Event Photography is Everything

Stillness in the chaos of event photography is a valuable skill that is part of my service.

I recently worked alongside an event photographer also hired to cover the same place and time as me, and what unfolded reminded me of something fundamental: tools, gear, and technique don’t matter if presence is missing.

Staying Aware

The photographers images were mostly unusable by the client but thankfully mine were. A percentage of the rejected images had some major technical issues such as incorrect shutter speed so were blurry and out of focus- the brief was also not followed which is problematic- but all of them simply missed the energy and moments of the event. The ‘professional’ event photographer was a few seconds to early or late or simply not patient enough to wait for the magic to happen.

Without attention to the moment unfolding they utterly failed to deliver just because they were not still in the moment with the lens pointed ready. I’m not talking about being frozen and detached. But quietly, fully there. Because presence isn’t just a calm morning by the beach or a quiet portrait session. Presence is holding your centre when things seem like chaos all around you. It’s noticing instead of reacting. It’s staying aware as a image maker that works when others slip into autopilot and panic.

When you hire me to shoot your investment, because events do cost a lot of money, time and energy – my photography brings an attitude that presence is everything. Stillness in the chaos is part of my services for you to ensure that while you are coordinating the schedule I will see it all.

I was reminded while spending time with this photographer that anyone these days can lift a camera. That many can frame a shot. But watching the world carefully enough to see the stillness and truth of the moment — well that’s a different skill entirely.

Stillness Lets Me See

•The flicker of real emotion between posed expressions and the nerves.

•The tension behind a confident façade of performance so that I can navigate it.

•The exact moment someone stops performing and just breathes and expresses their talent and passions.

I’m not flexing my ego in this post- rather my experiences – sharing that using a camera is a given when you hire a photographer. Yet it’s the skill of seeing and being ready for the performance that really counts. While my work costs more than most- there is a reason and a guarantee to deliver. Saving a few hundred bucks on a photographer…is it really worth it when your moments cannot be staged again?

Great Feedback

I do get comments regularly that I’m very easy to work with compared to the clients ‘previous’ photographers. It’s also common to get feedback at how relaxed I am at events and commercial jobs. I never shame or comment on other photographers work when I hear this I simply thank the client for the feedback and nod knowingly why they keep having issues.

I’m not perfect either by the way, as I’m only human. I’ve also had feedback over the past 16 years as a commercial shooter that’s not so positive- and rather than failing to accept that I’m at fault- I acknowledge that I can do better and never make that mistake again (no really). Maybe this another point of difference given my 5 star Google reviews!? View my featured event photography to see why.

Anyway, when the event environment is chaotic, when energy is high, the pressure is on, and when the world is moving fast— stillness is part of my service and I will see and capture your vision.

Ready to book your next event? You can contact me here. You can also read about why post-editing matters in my event photography in this article.