Dear Reader,
Hello! It's me, your friendly strategic corporate event photography partner.
Last time, we chatted about how photography can be leveraged to increase event attendance and engagement. Missed it? No worries. You can catch up HERE.
I've got more event stories for you and this time, it's one we have ALL experienced in one way or another.
The Customer is always right
I know we've all heard this one. But... is it true?
Whether you're a client, event producer, or planning partner, we all have the same goal. We want nothing more than to work together to create a seamless, carefully curated, and beautiful captured event that blows our attendees away.
But what happens when the client's "what" gets in the way of their "why?"
Story time! Micromanaging your event photos into oblivion
(*names have been changed for privacy):
Andrew from XYZ incorporated was excited to host his first big event since being hired on as the company's lead event producer. He was bursting with ideas.
He reached out to me about photography and we hopped on a call. As the previous art director at a global company, he launched into the nitty gritty of how he wanted the photos edited, his specific color grading process, the poses, and artistic angles. He had references from 3 different campaigns, ready to share.
But when I asked him about his event logistics and his intended use for the images, he stared at me blankly.
Whoa, partner. In reality (and I swear this is a true story):
He had shown me images of heavily posed bikini models lounging on the beach in gold tones, looking alluringly at the camera from various angles.
He was hosting a conference with the general public at an indoor venue, showcasing XYZ incorporated's new interactive product line.
Struggling to make the connection? Me too.
After a bit of poking and prodding, I understood that Andrew was looking for images that were fresh, visually cohesive, and inviting. He wanted something different: engaging, lively, and candid.
Ok, this I can do! I showed him some examples of what I believed would best accomplish our goals together and made sure we were aligned leading up to the event. When the photos were delivered, he loved them. They were exactly what he *didn't know* he wanted.
What they don't know WILL hurt them
Listen. We've all been Andrew. It's easy to put the cart before the horse and try to communicate the "what" before you've really thought through the "why." And here's the secret:
A true event professional will quickly pick up on discrepancies and use their experience to get to the heart of your vision and how to make it a reality.
Sometimes it just takes a bit of massaging. But understanding the big picture allows us to deliver a final product that is:
- In line with your overall event goals and vision
- Targeted specifically to your needs
- Catered to your strengths as a client/organization
- Crafted thoughtfully using years of experience (which is what you're actually paying us for).
And as a final bonus, experienced vendors roll with an experienced team. So when you book a strategic photographer, you also leverage their network of experienced vendors (more on this later 😉).
Let me show you what you actually want, not what you think you want
And speaking of using years of experience to help you get what you want:
Let’s explore how we can utilize your event photos for maximum benefit.
Just 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, I can help make sure you get what you need.
Cheers!
Daria
Late August 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
- OC Fair (Through August 18) This annual fair is packed with rides, games, live entertainment, and food, making it a fun outing for families and friends.
- Echo Park Rising: (Aug 17) A free music and arts festival held in the Echo Park neighborhood, featuring live performances across multiple stages, local vendors, and activities.
- Taste of the Farmers Market: (every Thurs night through Aug) An event where visitors can sample food from various vendors at the historic Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax.
Chi-town
- Sangria Festival: (August 17-18) Enjoy a weekend of sangria, tapas, and live music in Humboldt Park, perfect for a laid-back summer outing.
- Chicago Air and Water Show: (Aug 10-11) A spectacular event showcasing aerobatic performances and water stunts along the lakefront at North Avenue Beach.
- 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.
Vegas, baby
- Psycho Las Vegas (August 19-21) A heavy metal and rock festival known for its diverse lineup. Fans of alternative music can enjoy three days of live performances from well-known and underground bands, along with a vibrant atmosphere
- MAGIC Vegas: (Aug 19-21) A major event in the fashion industry, MAGIC showcases the latest in apparel, footwear, and accessories at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
- Def Con: (Aug 12-13) One of the world's largest and most notable hacker conventions focusing on cybersecurity and hacking culture.
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
