How to get into CORPORATE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY - tips to get clients and jobs!

Summary

In this video, Nicole Glass discusses the ins and outs of corporate event photography, sharing her experiences and tips on how to break into this lucrative field. Despite finding it less exciting, she acknowledges its financial benefits and offers insights into how she secured her position through networking, referrals, and her fluency in German. She also touches on the variability of pay depending on location and experience, with an average rate for her services reflecting the market well.

Takeaways

• 🚪 Breaking into corporate event photography can be challenging, but it offers great job opportunities with substantial pay.
• 📸 Corporate event photography often involves capturing speeches, networking events, and panel discussions, which may not be the most exciting but are well-compensated.
• 🤳 Nicole Glass, the speaker, doesn't often share corporate event photos on social media as they might not be as engaging to her audience.
• 💰 The speaker is frequently hired for corporate events, which help cover most of her bills despite not being her favorite type of photography.
• 🔄 Government-funded events and successful companies typically have a set budget or pay well for photography services.
• 🤝 Building a relationship with corporate clients often leads to consistent work, as they tend to stick with a photographer who meets their needs.
• 📢 Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool for getting discovered by corporate clients, with recommendations from other photographers or clients leading to new opportunities.
• 📷 Attending events as a guest and posting photos can sometimes lead to being hired by event organizers who are impressed with your work.
• 🌐 Being multilingual, like the speaker who speaks fluent German, can carve out a niche in the market, making it easier to get hired by companies that value that skill.
• 💵 The rates for corporate event photographers can vary greatly depending on location and experience, with higher rates in major metropolitan areas.
• 🔍 Researching local market rates and understanding one's value are crucial for determining appropriate charges for event photography services.

Q & A

What type of photography does Nicole Glass specialize in?

Nicole Glass specializes in corporate event photography, which is the type of photography she is hired for most often.

Why does Nicole Glass describe corporate event photography as less exciting yet lucrative?

Although Nicole finds corporate event photography less exciting due to its repetitive nature, such as photographing speeches and networking events, it is lucrative because it pays the majority of her bills and offers high hourly rates.

How does Nicole Glass usually market her corporate event photography services?

Nicole Glass primarily relies on word-of-mouth for marketing her services, as well as referrals from other photographers and clients. She also attends events as an attendee to network and showcase her work.

What are some challenges Nicole Glass faces with corporate event photography?

Some challenges include taking photos of mundane events, such as people standing around with wine glasses or eating, which may not be visually appealing or necessary for the clients.

How does Nicole Glass's fluency in German benefit her photography business?

Nicole Glass's fluency in German has helped her establish a niche as a German-speaking photographer, making her the preferred choice for German or German-American companies in her area, which simplifies communication and enhances her reputation.

What factors influence the pay for corporate event photographers?

The pay for corporate event photographers depends on factors such as the photographer's experience, the location of the event, and the budget of the hiring organization.

What is the average cost for corporate event photography in Washington DC?

In Washington DC, the average cost for corporate event photography is around $400 for two hours of coverage and about $260 for one hour.

How does Nicole Glass handle balancing her full-time job with her photography business?

Nicole Glass manages her time effectively by working her full-time job during the day and then shooting and editing photos for events in the evenings and on weekends. She tries to find time to produce YouTube videos in between these commitments.

What advice does Nicole Glass give to aspiring event photographers?

Nicole Glass advises aspiring event photographers to research what other photographers in their area charge and to focus on building a reputation and network through word-of-mouth and referrals.

How does Nicole Glass find clients for her corporate event photography?

Nicole Glass finds clients through referrals from other photographers, attending events as an attendee to network and showcase her work, and by being visible and approachable at events she is already hired to photograph.