Corporate events often move quickly. There are guests arriving, presentations to capture, people networking, speakers taking to the stage and plenty of small moments happening throughout the evening.
For the photographer and videographer, the challenge is making sure all of those moments are captured while also working around the venue, the event schedule and the other suppliers involved.
Recently, I provided corporate event photography and videography for MEA Platform at Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor of Salesforce Tower in Bishopsgate, London.
The event brought together around 70 guests and included a drinks reception, networking, a formal presentation, a panel discussion and audience Q&A.
It was a good example of why planning and communication are just as important as the photography and filming itself.
Planning the event coverage
Before the event, I stayed in regular contact with my contact at MEA Platform and also liaised with the AV company involved in the event.
This gave us the opportunity to work through the technical requirements before arriving at the venue.
One of the main things we arranged was an audio feed from the AV company's mixing desk directly into my two Sony FX6 cameras. This meant the presentation and panel discussion could be recorded with a clean audio source alongside the camera footage.
We also arranged a riser so that I could film without attendees blocking the cameras, as well as panel lighting to properly illuminate the five panellists.
The venue itself presented another consideration. Being on the 40th floor meant that the impressive London skyline formed part of the background, so camera positions and lighting needed to be considered carefully.
The aim was to make sure the speakers were properly exposed while still retaining the character of the location.
For me, this is an important part of corporate event filming. Good event coverage starts well before the cameras are switched on.
Preparing for a London corporate venue
We arrived at the venue three hours before the event began.
This gave us enough time to unload the equipment, get everything into position and prepare for the evening without rushing.
The venue had a designated loading bay which we used to unload the equipment. From there, the service lift only went as far as the 38th floor, so the remaining equipment had to be carried up to the 40th floor by hand.
The same arrangements were needed at the end of the event when we packed everything away.
These are the sorts of practical details that can have a big impact on an event production if they have not been considered in advance.
When working at corporate venues in London, I always try to establish the arrangements around loading bays, parking, access and equipment movement before the event. Knowing how equipment will get into the building and how long this is likely to take makes it much easier to plan the setup time accurately.
For a busy corporate event, the last thing you want is to arrive without enough time to prepare.
A three person photography and video team
The event was covered by a three person team, with each person having a clearly defined role.
One photographer focused on capturing the still photography throughout the evening.
Another videographer concentrated on filming the atmosphere, guests and networking, with the footage being used to create the event highlights video.
My role was to film the formal presentation and panel discussion in full.
Having separate roles meant that we could cover different parts of the event at the same time without one person having to try to do everything.
The photographer could concentrate on capturing natural moments and strong images while the highlights videographer focused on the atmosphere of the evening.
At the same time, I could concentrate on the formal programme and make sure the presentation, panel discussion and audience Q&A were recorded properly.
This kind of coordinated approach can be particularly useful for corporate events where there is a lot happening at once.
Filming the presentation and panel discussion
The formal presentation and panel discussion lasted around one hour.
I filmed the entire programme using two cameras, giving the production two angles to work with across the presentation, panel discussion and audience Q&A.
The audio feed from the AV company was also connected directly to the cameras, providing a clean recording of the speakers.
The footage was not simply intended for one finished video.
MEA Platform's in house editing team planned to use the original footage for additional marketing content. The footage was subsequently sent to the company's US office, where their editor could create shorter LinkedIn videos as well as edit the full presentation for the company's website.
This is one of the benefits of having professional event videography captured with future content in mind. The footage from one event can become a useful library of content that can continue to be used after the event itself has finished.
Capturing natural corporate event photography
Alongside the video coverage, the photography focused on capturing the event as it naturally unfolded.
This included guest arrivals, the drinks reception, networking, candid interactions, senior guests, MEA team members, the venue, London skyline, food and drinks, event details, branding, speakers, the panel discussion and audience reactions.
The aim was to create photographs that felt natural and premium rather than simply documenting what happened.
Group photographs were also taken where appropriate, alongside images of the canapés and details around the event.
The finished photography was intended for a range of uses including the MEA Platform website, LinkedIn, marketing materials and future event promotion.
This is something I always consider when photographing corporate events. The images need to work for more than just a record of the evening. They should also give the client content they can continue using across their marketing.
Fast turnaround for event photography
Turnaround was an important part of the brief for this event.
MEA Platform required 30 preview images the following morning, with the remaining edited photographs delivered within 48 hours.
For events where content needs to be used quickly, having a clear turnaround agreed in advance helps everyone understand what will be delivered and when.
There are also occasions where clients need content even sooner.
For some events, same day edits can be arranged using an editor who receives photographs and footage during the event and begins creating content while the event is still taking place.
The right approach depends on the event and what the client needs the content for.
Creating the event highlights video
The final video deliverable for the MEA Platform event was a 60 to 90 second highlights film.
The video was supplied within three days of the event.
The aim was to capture the atmosphere and story of the evening rather than simply create a collection of individual shots.
The footage included guest arrivals, networking, the venue, London skyline, speakers, the panel discussion, audience reactions, food and event details and key moments from the evening.
A highlights video can be particularly useful for companies looking to show the atmosphere of an event to people who were not there, while also providing content that can be used across social media and other marketing channels.
Creating content that can be used after the event
One of the main benefits of professional corporate event videography is that the footage does not have to be limited to a single highlights video.
For this event, the original camera footage was supplied to MEA Platform's in house editing team.
Their editor could then use the footage to create shorter pieces of content for LinkedIn as well as a full presentation video for the company's website.
This gives the client more flexibility and allows the content captured at the event to continue working for the business after the evening has finished.
For marketing teams, this can make event photography and videography a valuable part of a wider content strategy rather than simply a way of documenting an event.
Working with event teams and suppliers
Corporate events often involve a number of different people and companies working together.
On this event, communication involved the client, AV company, venue team, photographer and videographers.
Everyone has their own responsibilities, so being able to communicate clearly and fit into the wider event operation is important.
The goal is to make the photography and video coverage part of the solution rather than something the event organiser needs to worry about.
That means understanding the schedule, communicating technical requirements, working around the venue and being prepared for changes during the event.
Why planning matters for corporate events
There is a lot more involved in corporate event photography and videography than simply arriving with cameras.
A typical event can involve strict timings, senior guests, presentations, panel discussions, AV suppliers, venue restrictions, loading bays, service lifts, multiple cameras, audio feeds and specific delivery deadlines.
For this event, the technical requirements had been discussed before the day, the access arrangements had been considered and the equipment setup was planned around the venue.
That preparation meant the team could concentrate on capturing the event rather than trying to solve logistical problems once guests had arrived.
Good event coverage starts with good planning.
What does a corporate event photographer cover?
A corporate event photographer can cover everything from guest arrivals and networking to speakers, presentations, branding, venue details and candid interactions.
The exact coverage depends on the event and what the client intends to use the images for.
For MEA Platform, the photography covered the atmosphere of the evening as well as the people, speakers, venue and details that helped tell the story of the event.
What does a corporate event videographer cover?
Corporate event videography can include filming the atmosphere and networking, recording presentations and panel discussions, capturing interviews and producing finished highlight videos.
It can also involve supplying original footage to a client's own editing team so they can create additional content.
For this event, the video coverage included both the atmosphere of the evening and the full formal programme.
How many cameras do you need to film a corporate presentation?
The number of cameras required depends on the format of the event and how the footage will be used.
For the MEA Platform presentation and panel discussion, two cameras were used to provide different angles throughout the one hour programme.
Having more than one angle gives the editor greater flexibility when putting the finished content together.
How quickly can corporate event photographs be delivered?
Turnaround depends on the client's requirements and the scale of the event.
For MEA Platform, 30 preview images were supplied the following morning and the remaining edited photographs were delivered within 48 hours.
For certain events, same day editing can also be arranged where content is needed while the event is still taking place.
Can event footage be supplied to an in house editing team?
Yes. Original event footage can be supplied to a client's own editor where required.
For this event, the footage was sent to MEA Platform's US office so their in house editor could create LinkedIn content and a full presentation video for the website.
This can be a useful option for companies that already have an internal marketing or editing team.
Corporate event photography and videography in London
The MEA Platform event was a good example of what is involved in providing professional corporate event photography and videography.
From arranging the technical requirements with the AV company to working around the venue access, filming the formal programme and delivering content quickly after the event, there were a number of considerations that needed to be handled before and during the evening.
The client feedback following the event also highlighted the importance of the overall experience. The MEA Platform contact described the photographs as incredible and said the team was easy to work with, accommodating and adaptable.
For me, that is just as important as the finished photographs and video.
If you are organising a corporate event in London and need professional event photography, event videography or both, I can provide coordinated coverage tailored around your event, venue and content requirements.
Get in touch to discuss your upcoming event and what you need from the photography and video coverage.