Let’s be honest – it’s really hard for brands to stand out on social media these days. With so many different accounts in every space, harnessing quality visual storytelling is one of the best ways to engage with your audience and tell them your story.
This is especially true when it comes to event photography. Social media plays a huge role when it comes to shaping perceptions and driving engagement, and the ability to create visuals that not only capture the feel of an event, but also evoke a sense of FOMO is absolutely paramount.
We recently caught up with Martin James, owner of Martin James Photography, to get his top tips for mastering event photography for use on social media.
For me, it comes down to three main things.
In order to present your event in the most effective way, you need to know who your audience is. Understanding their preferences, interests, and demographics allows you to properly tailor your shots, giving off the right impression. So, for example, the way I’d take photos at a music festival would be completely different to those taken at a corporate gathering.
Lighting plays a huge role in event photography. I always adjust my exposure settings depending on where I am, for example if I’m in a hall with more harsh, fluorescent lights vs. outside in natural light. Don’t just rely on what you’re given either – use artificial lighting wherever possible to enhance your photos and bring the event to life.
For me, composition is the backbone of good photography. I use techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to add depth and interest to my event photos, experimenting with different angles and perspectives to capture moments in a unique way and convey the story behind them.
To be honest, it’s probably a bit of both. Having a high-quality camera setup definitely enhances the technical aspect of photography, but having a good vision also plays a huge part. If you’re not yet a confident photographer, I’d suggest taking your camera everywhere with you and just practising whenever you get the chance. This is the best way to learn which techniques work for you, and to get more accustomed to the different features of your camera and other equipment.
This can depend on the event, which is why it’s important to have a chat with the organisers beforehand to understand their expectations. Having said this, usually you’ll want to pay attention to notable speakers or performers, captivating visuals, and attendee engagement. Candid photos are also great to really capture the essence of the day and give a more natural and authentic portrayal of the events of the day.
I think there’s definitely a place for it. Images captured by attendees and organisers can give a really unique view on the day, showcasing different perspectives, moments, and angles that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, whether it's best to have a mix of UGC and professionally curated photography depends on various factors such as the event's purpose, audience preferences, and branding objectives. In some industries or events, a blend of both can provide a well-rounded visual narrative, while in others, they may prefer the tone of sticking to professional photos only.
If you’d like to have a chat about professional photography for your upcoming event, I’d be more than happy to help.
You can either visit my website, or drop me an email.
It's no secret that video stands as one of the most powerful tools to capture, maintain, and convert attention on social media today.
However, navigating the world of video content creation involves a myriad of different techniques, tools, and approaches, making it a daunting task for marketers or businesses eager to leverage video on social media effectively.
Cey Sesiguzel is a filmmaker and creative director/co-founder at the video marketing agency, Two Fresh Productions.
They have worked with the likes of Xerox, Lambourghini, Gary Vaynerchuk and more in producing stunning video content that captivates audiences around the globe.
We caught up with Cey to find out more about who he is, what he does, who he works with and also to get his top tips for getting started with using video on social media.
Tell us more about your company, Two Fresh Productions
Two Fresh has been around for about 15 years now.
We’re a video production company and creative studio based in London. We help businesses win using the power of video.
What kinds of industries do you work in?
Since we started out, we’ve worked with every industry that you can think of. Hospitality, tech, pharma, education, other creative agencies, travel, retail all of it.
If a company is looking to start using video on social media, where do you recommend they start?
If they’re a business leader or an SME and are looking to build their personal brand, then any video content that adds value to their target audience and positions them as a thought leader is a great place to start.
They could share tips and advice, tell personal stories, create tutorials – basically anything that gives their audience a "free taster" of the value that they can provide as a professional.
It’s exactly the same as sharing this information in a blog, but in a more bitesize, digestible format. It’s so much more engaging for today’s market.
Another option is to start "vlogging". People love to have voyeurism and see inside of a business these days, and a vlog is a great way to scratch that itch.
Weird analogies aside, it's a really good option that allows you to show the day-to-day operations of your business by documenting things behind the scenes, the challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them. You can also show some of the daily wins that may not ever see the light of day otherwise, that your audience could get immense value from.
You can start by just shooting on your iPhone. As long as you’ve got a good microphone to go along with it, this is a great place to start.
If you’ve got a little bit of budget, hire someone to do your editing.
You’ll be surprised how good the production quality can be just from some iPhone footage.
The rawness of this style of content builds trust with people because they feel like they are coming along for the ride with you – they feel like they’re part of the story.
What is the best converting form of video?
Case studies and testimonials always get the best results when it comes to conversion.
When it comes to getting people over the line, giving them social proof helps to build their confidence and awareness.
You’ve got real people on camera raving about your services.
There are a few ways of going about getting this content.
You can ask your clients to make a quick video on their smartphone and send it over, or even better- you could interview them over Zoom or Teams.
Or you could get a professional video company like ours to give you the full glossy treatment – bells and whistles included.
Here are some examples:
Looking for a video production company in London?
Head to their website for more info, or get in touch with them.
