Hey Reader,
Hello there! Me again, your *very demure, very mindful* strategic corporate event photography partner.
Last time, we chatted about how clients sometimes need to be educated in order to receive the deliverables they're really looking for. Missed it? No worries. You can catch up HERE.
This week, we're broaching a topic we all dread. The inevitable "dinosaur" in the room, if you will...
Worried about coming across as out of touch and irrelevant? You should be.
(*names have been changed for privacy):
Laura* from ABC&Co. submitted an event inquiry through my website for her company's upcoming annual gala. She had been planning this event for the past 6 years, and had clearly inherited the task with notes from bygone eras.
We jumped on the call and she told me that they wanted to take advantage of their whole company being together to snap some stiff, overly-posed (my words, not hers) team photos in front of a stark white backdrop. Her sample images included ideas such as:
- Friendly pics of CEO shaking hands with team members, smiling at the camera
- Staged photos with laptops
- Holding a piece of paper and pretending to look at it as a group
She also informed me that she would need all image files mailed to their corporate address via a thumb drive.
Gone are the days of fax machines, printed brochures, and "casual Fridays."
So WHY are we photographing events like it's 1999??
I spent the next 20 minutes showing Laura past samples of corporate gigs I'd worked on and explained to her the importance of crafting images that were fresh, relevant, and enticing. I also explained that image galleries had migrated online, making it easy to share with guests with the click of a button and instantly download. I explained the importance of real-time, social media posting. Then we hopped off our rotary phones and got to work.
Laura was smart, open, and adaptable. We captured her conference and she was delighted with the more organic, natural images, crisper edits, and team photos that felt authentic. I even made her an event recap IG reel to post.
And guess what? Laura's company started to post regularly on their social channels, since they now had quality photos to share, and their web of donors GREW.
If your photos stand out for the wrong reasons, your business will, too.
I do NOT judge Laura (and you shouldn't judge yourself if your photo presence is rather...antiquated).
Technology moves faster than you can say "whippersnapper" and it's impossible for all of us to keep up with ALL of the new styles and trends across EVERY industry our businesses work with.
It's not YOUR job to come prepared with the latest knowledge of photography practices and how images can be utilized to market yourself. It's MINE!
In life, I don't care about being young and hip. Heck, I still proudly wear ankle socks. Ankle socks for life! But the difference is that, while ankle socks might be mildly embarrassing (not for me, of course), there are no negative financial consequences that come from being a little behind-the-times in the sock department.
Corporate event photography is different.
Photos are your first impression in marketing.
They are your client's first glimpse into your world--and their first opportunity to judge you.
You wouldn't show up to a date wearing gauchos and a popped collar, would you? (oh god, would you??)
You shouldn't do this in business, either. Represent your company online with images that stand out and communicate your message and culture. You don't want them to give your clients a reason not to work with you before they've even explored all of the benefits of what you can do for them.
Let me bring you into the year 2024
Ok, so now that we've identified that we're all gradually getting older and less cool, what can we do about it? How can we avoid the pitfall of looking "old" and "irrelevant" in our marketing?
Find a photographer who:
- Stays up to date with the latest technology and trends in the industry.
- Continues to take educational courses (from this decade). Learning is NEVER, ever over.
- Connects with professionals and mentors to actively solicit feedback from fellow photographers.
- Is STRATEGIC in their approach and willing to question what you've "always done" in order to discover what works BEST.
- Knows how to shoot in a way that SPEAKS DIRECTLY to your target audience.
Let’s make sure you're event photos are sending the *right* message to clients.
Click the link below to set up a time to chat about photography for your next event. Whether you're a client or a planning partner, let's get on the same page and do this right.
Cheers!
Daria
September Happenings
PSST--I share monthly events that might be happening near you. I got bros in different area codes, so I picked my main regions to share! I'm ALWAYS looking to grow and expand, so if you don't see your region's events (but want to) get in touch and I'll add 'em to my list!
LA/OC
- East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade: (September 15) The oldest and largest Latin parade in the country, this parade honors the vibrant and rich culture, history and traditions of Mexico through the lively parade, beautiful display of culture, and delicious food.
- Ohana Festival: (September 27-29) A three-day music festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, curated by Eddie Vedder. The festival features performances by major rock and alternative artists, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
- Daria's Birthday: (September 14) Every year, this Virgo celebrates the day she emerged with a full day of outdoor activities, pizza, and fun in the sun. Well wishes and gifts accepted and encouraged.
Chi-town
- Chicago Jazz Festival: (Aug 29-Sept 1) Held at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center over Labor Day weekend, this festival features renowned jazz musicians from around the world.
- Riot Fest: (September 20-22) A popular music festival held in Douglass Park, Riot Fest features a lineup of punk, rock, and alternative bands. The festival also includes carnival rides, sideshow performers, and a wide range of food vendors.
- North Coast Music Festival: (Aug 30 - Sept 1) An electronic music festival held in SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, just outside Chicago. The festival features top EDM artists, art installations, and interactive experiences.
Vegas, baby
- Life is Beautiful Festival (September 27-28) A music, art, and culinary festival held in downtown Las Vegas. It features a diverse lineup of artists, immersive art installations, and food offerings from top chefs and local eateries.
- iHeartRadio Music Festival: (September 20-21) Annual music festival featuring performances by top artists across various genres. It’s a major event for music fans and includes celebrity appearances and special performances by Gwen Stefani, Big Sean, Dua Lipa, and More.
- Las Vegas Greek Food Festival: (September 20-22) A cultural festival celebrating Greek cuisine, music, dance, and traditions. It’s a family-friendly event with plenty of authentic Greek food and entertainment.
Daria Taylor Photography
Los Angeles and Destination
hello@dariataylor.com
P.S: I’ll be popping up in your inbox from time to time to show you how we partner with event organizers around the world to exceed their event goals. But if you'd rather miss out on all of my fun, that's cool I guess. You can unsubscribe below.
Words of Affirmation from our Event Partners
"From the moment I met Daria, she was a joy! She is extremely hard working and she makes the processes seamless from early-stage conversations through the delivery of photos." -Kathryn, Mansueto Ventures (parent company of INC.).
"Daria was professional, thorough, and extremely personable with our group. The pictures are among the best I've seen of any such conference, and really captured the spirit of the event. I am grateful to Daria!" - Josh Jacobs, MIT
"I really enjoyed learning about her business and past work with nonprofits and equity building. Her team did an amazing job at capturing our diverse audience experiencing joy and community. I definitely recommend her services and will be crossing my fingers that another opportunity comes up for us to work together again." - Olivia Farley, Convening Toward Liberation
