Event Photography for Beginners: How to Nail Your First Shoot (Step-by-Step Guide)
Let’s Make Event Photography Easy
So, we’ve decided to dive into event photography—but suddenly it feels overwhelming, right? Gear choices, confusing camera settings, remembering every little thing… where do we even start?
As someone who’s been in these shoes, let’s simplify things. After photographing a few events myself, I noticed most online tips felt a little too advanced or overly complicated. So today, we’ll keep it clear and straightforward. Stick around, and together we’ll get there for event photography—minus the headaches.
Gear & Settings: Keeping Things Simple
First things first: gear. We don’t need all the bells and whistles, especially starting out. Our setup will vary slightly depending on the event’s lighting—concerts and theater shows tend to be dark, while conferences and expos are usually better-lit. Here’s what we’ll focus on:
Camera Settings Explained (Simply)
Aperture:
Fast lenses (1.2, 1.4, 1.8) are ideal for low-light conditions. I use Sigma 1.4 [Insert Link] for wide shots and Viltrox 1.2 [Insert Link] for portraits. Shooting wide open lets more light in but remember: focus becomes shallow. Be careful when photographing groups to ensure everyone stays sharp.
Shutter Speed:
Aim for no slower than 1/125th of a second. This prevents motion blur—essential when capturing lively scenes or speakers gesturing on stage. Ideally, I try to stay at 1/250 of a second.
ISO:
Set ISO to automatic with a maximum around 6400. Modern cameras handle high ISO surprisingly well, and a bit of grain is always better than a blurry or missed shot.
Manual Mode:
Stick with manual mode to keep consistent exposure. It might seem tricky at first, but it becomes second nature quickly, allowing us to focus more on capturing the moment than fiddling with settings.
White Balance & Exposure:
Shoot in RAW, set white balance to “tungsten,” and expose for highlights—not the average. Doing so helps avoid overly noisy shadows and ensures cleaner edits later.
Before the Photoshoot: A Quick To-Do List
Preparation is key to reducing stress. Here’s our checklist for smooth sailing:
Schedule the event and travel time on the calendar.
Charge batteries, pack gear, and always arrive early (trust me, clients love this).
Use an easy-to-manage checklist (I prefer Notion, but even paper works).
Need help? I’ve shared a free Notion template for gear and prep (link in description).
After the Photoshoot: Keeping the Momentum
The real work starts now—let’s keep things organized:
Photo Selection and Editing:
Choose the best shots, edit with Lightroom, and export in high-resolution JPEG for clients. Also export as DNG files to keep editing flexibility (lifesaver!).
Delivering Images:
Share professionally via Pic-Time, WeTransfer, or Google Drive. Pic-Time is a favorite—stylish galleries, easy sharing, and it even lets clients order prints, earning us a bit extra without extra work.
Stay Connected:
Send a personalized thank-you email. Clients appreciate this—it builds lasting relationships.
Social Media Promotion:
Post after the client does, to respect their rights. Also, edit differently for socials to distinguish your portfolio and minimize any conflicts.
Get Paid:
Don’t forget the invoice! It happens to the best of us—make sure it’s on the list.
Cleanup:
Delete your Lightroom albums after archiving. Keep your workspace tidy and avoid wasted space.
Automate to Stay Sane: Making Life Easier
Let’s face it, forgetting a step is easy, especially in the chaos of starting something new. Luckily, automations can save us here.
Whether you’re using Apple’s ecosystem (Shortcuts, Reminders, and Calendar) or a more universal option like Notion, automations simplify these repetitive tasks. I created shortcuts and templates to automatically generate tasks and calendar events with just basic input (event date and client’s name). Check out my store to grab these automations and simplify your workflow instantly.
Wrapping It Up: Time to Shoot Smarter, Not Harder
We’ve walked through gear selection, camera settings, essential checklists, and brilliant automations. Event photography doesn’t need to feel overwhelming anymore—just follow these steps, adjust to your style, and focus on having fun capturing amazing moments.
