How to Record Your Events with Photos and Videos

Whether you choose to take photos and videos yourself or hire professional photographers and videographers, you can capture the exciting moments of the event. If you decide to do the shooting yourself, the advice in this article will be very useful. It is best to designate someone to be in charge of the video recording, and this person should ideally not be the host of the event.

If you plan to hire professionals, make sure to discuss your expectations and create a shot list—a list of key moments that must be captured, such as the awards ceremony, etc.

Preparation Work

• Check the Equipment

Having the right equipment is key to ensuring a successful shoot. The best option is to use a professional camera, appropriate lenses, a flash kit, and other auxiliary accessories. However, if your options are limited, using a simple camera on a smartphone can also produce good photos.

Survey the Venue in Advance

This allows you to find the best shooting angles and identify any potential challenges. Lighting is a common issue in photo and video shooting, unless the event is outdoors. If the venue is poorly lit, try creatively adjusting the camera angles and experimenting with different lighting methods.

• Create a Shot List

List the key moments such as speeches, special guests, awards, applause, etc. Use this list to position yourself in advance, so you can be ready to shoot at any time. This is the best way to capture emotions and feelings.

Shooting Content

• Shoot the Venue

Capture Interesting Activities If something interesting happens, take out your camera and start shooting. Action scenes are more interesting than staged poses.

• Record Video Interviews

Shoot vertical video interviews of each participant.

• Candid Photography

Candid shots can capture unexpected moments of the participants. Unlike staged photos, candid shots have a natural feel. They are also a polite way to photograph guests who are immersed in a moment without disturbing them. However, try to avoid capturing awkward moments like yawning, eating, or making inappropriate facial expressions.

• Take Group Photos

Make sure to take a group photo before people start leaving.

How to Take Good Photos

• Use a Loud and Confident Voice

Let your subjects know what you are doing and what you expect from them. If you are taking a photo, ask them to smile and wait for the flash. For videos, tell them to ignore you and act naturally.

• Adapt to the Orientation for Different Platforms

For Instagram stories or TikTok, vertical orientation is best. For YouTube, horizontal is the better choice. If unsure, shoot horizontally, as it makes the video easier to edit.

• Double Backup

To avoid letting technical issues ruin your work, make sure you shoot two copies. Two photos, two videos. Back up everything by immediately copying the images and files to your PC or laptop after returning home.

• Important Tip

Don't let your event become a photo session. Quality photos and videos are important, but the event itself is the real focus. Shoot creatively and respectfully, ensuring participants do not feel uncomfortable.