Five Ways To Capture The Essence Of An Event In Photos

by Jay Ray | @jayrayisthename | jayray@staticc.com

As a photographer, there’s always a moment, right? That moment when you go to grab a battery or when you’re chatting with a client, and it happens! There’s an honest and true moment that you wish you’d captured with your camera. The moment passes quickly. You want to kick yourself for it.

STOP IT!

Here’s the thing … you can’t predict those moments, so don’t beat yourself up about things you can’t control.

Here are five ways to ensure you’re capturing the essence of an event in photos:

1. Understand yourself and your photography style.

Every photographer, including you, has a style. At first, much of it is informed by what we’ve seen in mass media. Change your perspective, evaluate your experiences and inclinations and don’t shy away from relying on yourself instead of your technical ability.

2. Understand your client, and make sure they understand you.

There’s nothing worse than booking a job that you hate or worse working for someone you don’t care for. The energy and power that would be present in your photos, if you wanted to be there, will be absent. Ensure that when considering a job that the client understands your style and that you understand what their needs are. Remember, they’re your customer. They want what they want. Give it to them the best way that you can or don't book it!

3. Arrive early! Wait a minute! Don’t start shooting just yet!

Okay … in order to capture the essence of an event, you need to know how it feels to be there first. Seeing an event through your viewfinder is limiting. You have to see the event with both eyes, for what it is. You also have to know how the event feels and notice when that feeling changes. This will drive your captures.

4. Be part of the event, not just working at it.

Yes, I know, there’s a lot of activity, but like I said above seeing the event through the viewfinder is limiting. If you don’t stop to really see the event, be part of it and see the people there, you can’t get those wonderful moments when the magic happens in someone’s face or body. Allow yourself to be drawn in, not just working the event. Note, I’m not saying act like a guest, I’m saying understand what being a guest feels like.

5. Take short shoot breaks.

A shoot break allows you to get some water and some air. This gives you a few minutes to check your captures and your camera and make sure you’re on track. This also helps with perspective. When you come back into the space, you’re not only rejuvenated you can see the event and people better.

Do all of these things, and you'll notice a feeling begin to emerge when you review your photos that you never saw before.