the best incentive trip photographer is a specialist who understands multi-day corporate events, blends into executive culture, adapts to changing schedules, and delivers consistent storytelling that amplifies the impact of your program. great rewards trip photography does more than document, it turns experiences into assets that drive future engagement. this is the hidden return on equity that is often missed.
choosing an incentive trip photographer can be a daunting task if you’re not used to constantly evaluating photographers. a photographer who has relevant shooting and travel experience, a strong portfolio, experience in events like yours, and a personality that fits in a corporate world, are all qualities that we look for. there are a few other qualities that can go a long way in assuring your success. here are five questions to ask a photographer that will help you get the best results.
1. what is your experience shooting corporate events?
it all begins with who you hire to tell your story. not all photographers are created equal, and those who specialize are typically your safest bet. can a wedding photographer shoot a corporate event? yes. can an adventure photographer shoot a headshot? probably. by hiring a photographer (or agency of photographers) that shoots solely corporate events, you ensure the photos will compliment the story that started long before the guests arrived. for example, we likely already photographed the moment each winner was announced at a national sales meeting. we captured the joy of the regional team that surrounded them as they stood with hands over their mouth in disbelief. these are the elements that define a STORY, not just a moment.
2. how many years have you been a photographer and how did you learn?
experience shooting corporate events is worth it’s weight in gold. in an industry where so much effort has gone into planning a one time event, there is still so much that happens on site that can’t be anticipated. having a photographer that has been there, solved problems effectively, and survived the storm in tact is paramount. it demonstrates that the clients were happy with the outcome. if possible, we prefer someone who studied the craft in school, (not youtube) and made mistakes lighting in a studio on their own dime. ‘self taught’ often means they made all of the errors along the way on their clients. they are likely still putting together pieces.
3. do you have an example event you can share?
having a strong example of the exact images you can expect from a photographer is mandatory. let’s face it, we live in a world where a highly curated ‘best of’ images often get the most attention. for event photography, choose consistency over a few great hero images. a portfolio evaluation is a good start, but a seasoned event photographer will have both to share - highlight worthy images as well as every speaker on stage, every hug, and every high five. you need to see the depth and breath of their skill set, not just how well they can polish a few images.
4. can you tell me about a challenge you’ve had with clients and how you’ve overcome it?
this is very important to know. the more stories they can tell, the better. this illustrates how they have learned from their mistakes, and can spot issues before they arise. you also want to hear how they tell stories (with words) because if they can’t do that well, they will likely have a tough time telling a story in images. pro tip: a reference check with that client is a strong follow up action to assure the issue was in fact resolved satisfactorily.
5. what questions do you have for me?
a prepared photographer should have questions about your event that gives you confidence they’ve thought through it from planning to delivery. how many attendees? what is the expected turn around time for images? will there be on site deliveries of photos? who is my on site contact and what is their role? these inquiries all give me information about how i am going to show up for the client. if the photog hasn’t thought that far in advance, either they are such a veteran that they can phone it in, or haven’t treated your event with the care they should.