Our Tips and Tricks for Inclusive Event Photography
One of our favorite genres to photograph is event photography. Even better when it is a queer, LGBTQ+ centric event like “The Big Queer Movement.” This outdoor yoga and dance class hosted by Lululemon and Courageous Space was an event filled with tons of joy, liberation, and grounding in community. We were immediately inspired by this inclusive event and ready to capture all the smiles, hugs, and yoga flow!
We’ll take you through our creative process when it comes to capturing fast paced events with lots of faces and action.
The Pavilion at Cheeseman Park, Denver CO
Curating the Shot List
When Lululemon initially reached out, we were thrilled to hear their vision of hosting an event run by the queer community, for the queer community. They wanted our help capturing all the key moments, specifically showcasing fun and interactive practices. So we gathered our thoughts and the proper gear to make a reference shot list that leaves room for creativity and the unpredictable live moments.
Pics of people interacting with one another (arriving and leaving)
Event details/ branded materials
Action shots (wide and tight angles)
Photos of the hosts and crew
Showcase the size of the event
Video clips of the same, to create an event recap for social media
Gathering the Right Gear
A common misconception about event photography is that it’s a passive gig. However, I bet if you asked any experienced photographer about candid photography, they would let you know how much of a hustle it can be to capture fleeting moments while being unobtrusive to the scene.
So when we do event coverage, we are always prepared with at least two cameras on us at all times. Often we are carrying a 24-70mm zoom lens and a 70-200mm zoom lens. We don’t want to miss a single moment just because we find ourselves on the other side of the room. When a laugh stirs, we are able to quickly take a photo and swiftly switch to our other camera to take a large group photo.
Of course, if the event is indoors, we’d suggest having multiple resources to add light. Jas K Productions uses on-camera flash, off-camera flash, and a mix of continuous lighting depending on the environment. Be sure to do your research as a photographer or coordinator when you’re curating your shot and gear list.
Freezing A Moment In Time
Now that we feel ready to take on the day, all that’s left is to execute and enjoy the flow of the event. We keep our shot list handy, but at this point it’s practically memorized! So all we do is mentally check off that list and keep looking for opportunities that match the overall theme. In this instance, we wanted people to walk away with inspirational photos of themselves and tons of cool swag. With a guest count of almost one hundred and lots of dancing and yoga, we were also getting our own workout in with the goal to capture as many faces as possible! Our passion for photography wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photographing as many faces as possible is one method of being a more inclusive artist. Don’t just drift to the most fit athlete or the folks in the front. Train your eye to center diversity. Catch people feeling like their best selves without trying to force hugs or laughs. Sit back and be grateful to be welcomed into the space while being as respectful as possible. Be appreciative for any guidance given and meet people with warm energy so that they are comfortable having their photo taken. Overall, being an inclusive photographer is mostly about having a will to listen and learn with the utmost curiosity. All of these practices outside of your camera settings, will reflect in you work and boost your photography outcome.
We’re in love with final results and are ecstatic for the next time we get to capture our local Denver creatives showcasing their skills out in the community. Let us know what you think!!
Jas K Productions is an inclusive photography and video production team that specializes in LGBTQ+ events, branding, and concerts. We’re stoked to bring your next vision to life! Event photography deserves the same amount of care and love as any other project.
