Looking to document the highlights of your upcoming event? Here are 5 event preparation tips to keep in mind, before and during your event date.
So, you’ve got everything planned and laid out for your upcoming event. But your job of making sure the event is a smooth, memorable success doesn’t stop there. Aside from an exceptional experience for you and your guests, you’ll also need good photos to document one of the most momentous events in your lives.
A photographer can take care of that for you. Still, there are small ways you can ensure the photographer captures the good memories of your event. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for your event to assure you get the best photos you can make of your event, no matter what kind of celebration you’re having.
1. Do some research
You can do a little homework with Google to get an idea of the best kinds of event photos you want to have. For instance, if you’re celebrating a debut party, you can search photos of your friends and relatives you know had celebrated the same event.
This way, you can easily tell the photographer what photos you want to achieve by the end of the event. This is also helpful if this is your first time hiring a photographer for your event.
2. Book your pre-shoots as early as possible
If you’re planning to have some pre-event photoshoots such as pre-milestone birthdays, prenups, and pre-debut, book your session as early as possible. Ideally, schedule your photoshoot four weeks before your event date. This would allow you to discuss things with your photographer, prepare your outfits and props, work on a theme, and allow your photographer to make edits and touch-ups to your photos.
You’ll be using these photos as part of your event announcement to family and friends, so normally, you’ll want to have these photos taken earlier.
3. Discuss with photographer
Talk with your photographer about your needs and expectations for the event, photography-wise. You can easily visualize what type of photos you want to achieve by dedicating time to sit with your photographer and talk about preferences and such. They can also give you suggestions and tips to produce photos of your dream, such as the best time and location to get the golden hour look.
You can ask these questions during your meeting with your photographer:
- What type of photos do you want to achieve? Do you want more candid photos, portrait-type photos, or a mix of both?
- Is there a dress code they need to follow?
4. Make sure everything’s ready for the photographer
To add to the storytelling factor of your event, your photographer may need to take photos before the event or celebration starts. When the photographer arrives, make sure everything on the venue is already in place, such as the table settings and other props and designs of the venue.
Your event organizer can take care of this stuff for you. However, if you haven’t hired an organizer, you can ask the photographer instead to assist you.
5. Prepare yourself
You want to look your ultimate best during your event photos, even if you’re being photographed candidly. To do so, keep your grooming in check. Go to your dermatologist or your favorite spa to pamper yourself and keep your skin radiant during the day of your event. Visit your hairdresser to achieve the best haircut for you. Get a manicure or pedicure so your nails look healthy and polished, especially for close-up photos.
For your pre-event photos, make sure you’ve prepared all the outfits, props, and other special items and people you need for the photoshoot. Here are some tips in preparing for your pre-event session:
- Choose outfits that are comfortable to wear. For babies and toddlers, avoid clothing items that are hard to take off and those that don’t hide their underwear well.
- Don’t be shy to ask the photographer for suggestions on props, outfits, locations, and themes.
- Work on a theme for your shoot. You can find inspiration on your hobbies, interests, back story, favorite places, or the good ole’ internet.
- If possible, hire a professional hair and make-up artist for your shoot so you won’t need to worry about your look for the photos.
- Bring reference photos during your pre-event shoot so you can show your photographer what exactly you want to achieve.