Event photography: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering event photography

You offer event photography for parties, conferences and gatherings. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.

What customers ask

  • How quickly will I get the photos?
  • Will you take group photos, and how do you organize them?
  • Can you cover the whole event, or only certain parts?
  • Who owns the photos, and can guests see them?
  • Do you bring a backup camera?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask about the event type, the guest count, the schedule, the key moments and the group photo list before you talk about the booking
  • Send a full event gallery from a similar event, labeled with the event type and guest count
  • Put the coverage hours, the group photo plan, the edited image count, the delivery window and the usage rights in the written quote
  • Share a sample shot list so the customer sees the moments you will capture
  • Confirm the venue rules, the start times and the group photo locations with the organizer before the event
  • Offer a same-day preview if the customer needs photos fast, and confirm the window in writing
  • Bring a second camera body and spare batteries and cards, and name a replacement photographer you would send if you are ill, in writing

What to put on your profile

  • Full event galleries with the event type and guest count listed
  • A list of event types you cover, such as parties, conferences and galas
  • Photos of your gear and the setup you use at events
  • Your insurance status and the types of venues where you have worked

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a shared online gallery with a download window for guests
  • Suggest a print or album package for the host after the event
  • Recommend a repeat booking for the next event in the series, with the same shot list

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for event photography. Carry general liability insurance and check the venue's and organizer's rules on photography and recording with your state or local licensing agency before taking jobs.

Questions

Do I need the venue's permission to shoot?

Usually yes. Many venues have their own rules about photography and where photographers can stand. Confirm the rules before the event.

How do I get group photos without losing time?

Plan the groups with the host in advance, post a list of group names and call each group at a set time. Assign a helper to bring people together if needed.

What if a guest does not want to be photographed?

Respect the request, move away from the guest and let the host know if the guest needs a different approach.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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