How to Shoot Corporate Events
In an episode of This Week in the Photo (TWIP) podcast, Miami-based photographer Gustavo Fernandez talked about how he moved from shooting weddings to photographing corporate events. He shared what worked for him, how he built steady clients, and the steps photographers can take if they want to follow the same career path. Gustavo talked about what helped him succeed and made him one of the highly regarded photographers in the country. This article talks about the tips he shared to help other photographers who are curious about corporate event photography. Tips for Shooting Corporate Events Shooting corporate events depends on the photographer, as each individual has their own work styles and signature approach. For Gustavo Fernandez, he has had a different way of establishing himself as a corporate event photographer, even though he started as a wedding photographer. Here are some of his tips: 1. Be Professional and Reliable Gustavo explained that one of the biggest things that helped him stand out was how he presented himself. He dressed neatly and professionally, kept his gear clean, and made sure he could easily blend in and work quietly during corporate events. Just as important, he was always quick to respond to emails and calls, which made planners feel they could count on him. For event planners, reliability means everything. If you make their job easier and prove you can be trusted, chances are they’ll keep hiring you for future events. 2. Build the Right Connections When Gustavo moved into corporate photography, he didn’t just wait for work to come in and hoped for the best. He built relationships with event planners, destination management companies, and venues. Getting to know them meant more chances for steady work because these groups are always running events. He also made an effort to be part of local business groups and industry associations such as the Chamber of Commerce, MPI, and the ILEA chapter, which helped him stay visible and connected. Sometimes, he even offered free headshots or volunteered to cover small networking events. These small favors helped him build trust and connections that gave him long-term work opportunities. 3. Try to Get Your First Corporate Gig If you’re moving from weddings into corporate events, you don’t have to do one big change overnight. A simple way to begin is by asking for an introduction at the venues you already work with. The wedding team usually isn’t the same as the corporate team, so just getting that connection can put you on their radar. Show up at local business events, offer to shoot a networking night, or even give a few free headshots to people who can introduce you to others. 4. Keep Your Pricing Simple While this depends on you and how you want to structure your pricing, it’s important to keep your pricing simple. Gustavo charges by the hour with a minimum booking time, often three hours, so the day is worth it for him and easy for the client to understand. Corporate clients usually prefer simple pricing that they can explain to their bosses or finance team. He also pointed out that big companies tend to pay on time, usually within a month, so billing isn’t as stressful as it can be with weddings. The key is to stay clear and consistent with your pricing. Don’t undervalue yourself just to get the job. Charging fair, professional rates helps you attract the right clients who respect your work. 5. Plan Ahead for Event Day Corporate events usually run on a schedule, so you’ll know what’s going to happen. Most of the time, you’ll be shooting the speakers on stage, people networking, and details like logos or sponsor tables. On the event itself, it’s important to blend in but present yourself enough in a way that makes you known. Always check in with the planner or AV team so you know the timeline. If they ask for a few photos right away for social media, try to send some quickly. Small things like that go a long way in keeping clients happy. 6. Edit and Deliver Fast Gustavo’s approach is to shoot so the images already look good in-camera, which keeps editing quick. Standard sizes for web, social, and press are usually enough, and you can even offer a small batch of edited photos within a few hours if they need something for social media quickly. The faster you deliver, the more likely planners are to call you again. But keep in mind that this is not always the case. Never compromise quality with speed. Also, don’t be afraid to outsource photo editors if you need to. 7. Always Bring Backup Equipment Things can go wrong at any event, so Gustavo stressed the importance of backups. Have two camera bodies, a couple of go-to lenses (like a 24–70 and a 70–200), and plenty of batteries and cards. Most corporate events have good lighting, but it’s smart to carry a small light just in case. You wouldn’t want to look unprepared in front of a big client. 8. Establish Yourself as a Reliable Photographer Planners are busy, and once they find someone who delivers great work, shows up on time, and communicates well, they don’t want to keep searching. They’ll stick with the photographer who makes their life easier. It also helps to stay connected to them by sending a few photos right after the event or checking in once in a while, which keeps you fresh in their mind. Over time, your name will be at the top of their mind whenever they look for a photographer. Listen to the Full TWIP Podcast Featuring Gustavo Fernandez If you’d like to hear more from Gustavo Fernandez himself, you can watch the full podcast on TWIP’s Official YouTube channel or listen to the full podcast on TWIP’s website. In it, you’ll learn more about the key points we’ve highlighted here and learn more about corporate event photography. Shoot Corporate Events the Right Way Regardless of