Telling the story of a speaker
Asiah Devlin | Mindful Monday Podcast
Live audience recording of the Mindful Monday Podcast at Mustard Seeds Studio.
Telling the story of a speaker
Taking meaningful pictures of a speaker is no easy task, so I’m here to share a few insight into my creative process when it comes to capturing photos that not only tell a story, but also show a variety of emotions that will make any viewer feel as if they were present.
Set yourself up for success
If you can, scope out the space you’ll be shooting at and ask for details on the event set up. Every event space is different and photography access can vary, so you’ll want to know the following before starting:
How much time you’ll have to set up and test lighting / meet the speaker(s)
How much space you’ll physically have to shoot / where you can’t go
Where the audience will be
Where the speaker(s) will be
A run down of what they’re speaking about and how long
Answers to these questions will allow you time to think strategically about where you’ll shoot throughout the time they’re speaking because, most likely, you’re not going to stay in the same spot. One of the most important bullet points would be to understand what they’re speaking about and how long. I say that because it can give you an indication of how the emotional flow of the speech is so you can proactively catch the speaker and audience interactions.
Example: If I know the speaker is going to ask a controversial question, I’m going to watch for the question from the speaker first and then immediately pan to the audience to catch their reaction.
Capture different emotions
Of course speakers are going to want those commercial-perfect smiling photos, but I’d suggest challenging yourself to capture other emotions. In addition to smiley photos, think about capturing strong emotions, whether it’s the speaker hitting home on a talking point, taking a second to pause to pivot the conversation or intently listening to an audience member. Those are all great examples of emotions you can capture that add value to the final gallery that can still be used as strong marketing imagery.
Diversify your composition
To avoid having a one-dimensional gallery, make sure to capture various compositions. Get close to your subject, shoot through audience members or objects or try wide-angle shots. Doing so offers another level of dimension to your gallery that helps tell the unique story of your speaker.
Also, don’t be afraid to get in front of the audience to get the shot you need. You’re there to do a job to get the best shots, not worry about being in the way. On the flip side, don’t be rude! Make sure to communicate with others, especially if you’re shooting close to them.
