find the right photographer for your party
April 9, 2007 by Cash
I recently stumbled upon an article detailing tips for finding a good photographer for your next event. The reason for hiring someone is simple; they’re not going to be too distracted downing dill vodka shots, flirting with the cute asian girls who just wandered in, or smoking out on the balcony to get some great pictures. You hope.
I just realized that for all the socializing Urban Monarch does, both at clubs, private parties, events and the like, we don’t get nearly the number of pictures we should. Candid shots. Posed shots. Shots of people in compromising situations (okay, we do get plenty of pictures of Gucci that will someday prove blackmail worthy). Shots of strangers we may not even talk to but want to remember for mySpace stalking purposes later, etc.
I remember one of the biggest White Trash Christmas parties I ever threw was attended by a then pregnant friend of mine who, due to being unable to drink, volunteered to take pictures all night. And pictures, oh, she took. Over 190 of them for the 4 hour party. That’s more like it.
The tips in the article were all well and good (look for someone with a portfolio whose work you admire, consider their technical expertise, be sure you’re comfortable with them) but when I got to the ‘average price’ section, my jaw dropped.
$1500-$4000 was quoted.
My advice? Find a pregnant friend or someone else you can bribe with a good bottle of vodka or the like to take the night off from drinking and insure there are plenty of memorable photos to commemorate the event.
Drunken half naked Guns and Roses serenades last mere moments. Pictures of them last a lifetime.
I know someone with a Kitchen Aide Mixer… It’s real nice.
We need to hire people to help us party in all kinds of ways… Bartenders, Cocktail girls, Caterers, Clean up, Photographers, Film Crews…
one thing i do is i take a “cheap” and easy digital camera to all the events i can. and what i do is i just pass it around and let everyone take pictures. that way everyone enjoys the party w/o being permenatly on picture taking duty and when you get the camera back the next day you are as surprised at the results as everyone else. and hopefully not too many annoying crotch shots
That first paragraph reminds me vaguely of a party I just attended. Hrmmmm. Do the Asian women have green stickers on? Ha. Also if you ever need a photographer let me know. I feel that I am fairly good with a camera and I don’t need to drink to enjoy the serenading of the Guc.
Or, you can befriend the guy who’s really-into-photography-but-not-a-professional-photographer. You know, the guy who drops $1.5k on a camera, spends hours upon hours reading about workflows and color profiles and things called “pocket wizards,” and yet by day is your average, mild-mannered network security analyst. And so, this man will show up to your party and take picture after fantastic picture, accepting payment of only fun times, good booze, and a safe place to crash and stash said expensive camera
Most. Expensive. Hobby. Ever.
Jess, allow me to officially invite you to our next get together..
Goat; sounds like a great way to get EVERYONE involved..
Jillian; duly noted. We’ll put you to work yet
I say secret spy cameras mounted everywhere!
Actually one party I went to had a mac set up with the built in camera. The photo taking software was loaded, and as people walked by, they would pose for a picture and optionally email it to themselves. Sort of a emulated photo booth.
That’s awesome Greg.