Booking a photographer for an office Christmas party is typically a small expense within a larger budget, and therefore usually receives the least amount of thought. However, this can backfire and prevent you from capturing those once in a lifetime memories. Photographers can leave before the end of the night, or take weeks to distribute the pictures. This can be prevented if you take the time to ask a few simple questions.
For how many hours are they contracted?
Not all photographers will offer the same coverage for the same price. Different office parties can run well over their proposed duration. Some may even run multiple hours past the booked time. To ensure you receive full coverage for the party, make sure you confirm the exact windows of coverage for the party.
How do they shoot in low lighting?
Most function rooms and party venues are designed with atmosphere in mind, rather than offering optimal lighting for a photoshoot. This can lead to a room that is dark with colored lights or moving lights. Ask your photographer how they plan to address lighting challenges. A true professional will employ advanced lighting and photography techniques in order to produce a beautiful set of portraits, while many amateurs will rely solely on their camera’s flash.
How are photos actually delivered?
You should be asking specific questions. Each photo delivery should include a date, format, and an easy-to-find gallery. Preparing hundreds of photos from a large office party in one long folders is essentially useless. Organized photography in your office party is better than no photography at all.
Do they take group and team pictures during the party?
Team and group pictures are useful during the party and afterwards, but standing in line for pictures is not fun. Find out how pictures are taken during the party. Something that takes a lot of time is not efficient.
What happens if AV impacts the photographs?
A few light meters, a projector, and uplighters can completely transform a photograph. Blown out photographs can turn a fun photograph into a staged one. Calling the AV and lighting hire the same company solves this issue. Our articles on office & Christmas party photography and AV hire for events can help you decide.
The short version
- Confirm the coverage window and what happens if the schedule runs over
- How do low lighting and venue lighting get handled?
- Be specific with delivery timing and format. (“You’ll get a link”) won’t get you very far.
- Ask how group shots will not interfere with the coverage of the event activities.
- If lighting and photography are separated from AV, overlap is counter productive and should be avoided.