A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when promoting your company. Capturing engaging photos at events are crucial for showcasing your brand and highlighting the vibrant community you develop among team members, partners, and customers.
Visuals play an essential role in capturing the attention of users scrolling through their social media feeds. They make posts stand out and encourage interaction from followers. It’s no surprise visual posts generate 650% higher engagement in the market than text-only ones. There’s no question that capturing great shots is very important.
In addition to simply showing what you and your team have been up to, photos show the personality of a brand, and put faces behind the sales emails and marketing outreach.
We have developed some core Dos and Don’ts for taking the best possible images to post online during company events:
Do’s:
- Show the Team: Capture group photos where everyone is visible, looking at the camera, and smiling. Capture authentic moments of interaction and laughter.
- Highlight Company Spokespeople: Take shots of your company’s executives’ presentations during events. Try to approach the front row for a clear view.
- Use Good Lighting: Natural light is your best friend. When indoors, position your subjects near windows or in well-lit areas. Avoid harsh overhead lighting, which can create unflattering shadows.
- Hold the Camera Steady: Use both hands to avoid blurry images.
- Rule of Thirds: Imagine your photo divided into nine equal sections by two horizontal and two vertical lines (like a tic-tac-toe board). Instead of placing your subject dead center, try positioning them along these lines or at the points where they intersect. This creates a more balanced and engaging image. Many cameras and smartphones have a grid overlay option to help you visualize this.
- Take Multiple Shots: Capture several images of the same scene to ensure options. Try wide shots, close ups, or detail. Rotate your camera for different perspectives. Try iPhone’s portrait mode or live photos. This increases your chance of capturing the perfect shot.
- Capture the Event Atmosphere: Include elements that convey the vibe of the event, like decorations, conference badges, marquee signage, or key moments like speakers and presenters.
- Select the Best: Choose the 5-10 best photos from each event. Overwhelming your followers with too many photos can be distracting.
- Use Basic Editing Tools: Crop and straighten your photos, as needed. Use the camera’s basic editing tools to brighten the image before sending it.
- Post Promptly: Share your photos on the day of the event or immediately after, to maximize timeliness. If you are not the person posting the photos, send all shots to your social media team to upload in a timely manner. Always send high or full resolution.
- Name Names: Tell your social media team/your audience who is in each photograph from left-to-right, especially if it includes high-level executives. Be sure to tag them.
Don’ts:
- Avoid Empty Booths: Photos of empty spaces can make the event seem less engaging. Focus on capturing people either posing or interacting to reflect a lively atmosphere.
- Steer Clear of Overcrowded Shots: While it’s great to capture the energy of a crowd, too many people in one shot can feel chaotic. Aim for balance.
- Avoid Distracting Elements: Be mindful of things like trash cans, clutter, open doors, or excessive signage that can distract from your subjects.
- Don’t Use Flash: Flash can create harsh shadows or reflections. Use it only when absolutely necessary to improve visibility.
- Don’t Rely on Zoom for Closer Shots: Zooming in reduces image quality. If possible, move physically closer to your subject.
Ultimately, capturing compelling photos at your company events is more than just pointing and shooting. By following these tips, you can create a visual story that resonates with your audience. These images will not only capture the energy and excitement of your events but also strengthen your brand, foster connections, and leave a lasting impression long after the event is over. So grab your camera, get creative, and start snapping!
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1https://www.sproutworth.com/visual-content-marketing-statistics/