The Complete Event Photography Guide for Beginners

So, you wanna shoot events, huh?

Let me guess. You brought your camera to your cousin’s birthday party once. Or maybe your friend asked you to take a few photos at their startup launch party because “you’re good with that artsy stuff.”

Next thing you know, someone’s asking how much you charge to shoot a wedding, and you’re standing there smiling while internally screaming, “Wait, am I actually an event photographer now?”

Welcome to the complete event photography guide for beginners. You’re in the right place.

Look, I’m not an event photographer with tons of experience, but I am the person you need to hear from today. You don’t need some event guru with 30 years of experience trying to relate to your beginner needs. You need me.

OK, maybe you need him too, but let’s start with me, the novice event photographer. I have something to say.

In fact, this post is everything I wish I had when I stumbled into the strange, chaotic, and occasionally soul-crushing world of event photography. You’ll walk away knowing what gear you need, what to expect, how to not melt under pressure, and maybe even how to enjoy the process.

No sugarcoating. No talking above your head. Just you, me, and the strange dance of catching some strangers’ most important moments without ending up in court.

I’m just kidding, kind of…

The weird pressure of photographing other people’s memories

You know that feeling when someone hands you their phone and asks for “just one photo” and then stands there waiting, watching, judging? Yeah. Now multiply that by a hundred, add a non-refundable deposit, and stick a drunk uncle in the corner doing the worm.

Event photography is equal parts art, survival, and improv comedy.

You’re not just taking pictures. You’re documenting someone else’s important day, usually with zero do-overs. It’s kinda scary, no lie. But, if you go into it like a documentary photographer instead of a director, you’ll find something kind of beautiful about it.

What this guide will actually give you

By the time you finish reading, you’ll:

• Know what gear you really need (and what’s marketing fluff)
• Understand different event types and how to adapt
• Feel more confident shooting in unpredictable light
• Get tips on settings, candid moments, post-processing, and even business stuff (ugh, yes, we’re going there)
• Maybe feel like someone finally gets what it’s like to be a camera-carrying introvert at a networking mixer with mood lighting and cheap wine

Let’s start with the basics.

What is event photography anyway?

When I think of events, I think of weddings, but it’s not just weddings. It’s birthdays, fundraisers, corporate galas, concerts, baby showers, product launches, reunions, awkward team-building retreats where Greg from HR tries stand-up for the first time.

It’s about capturing the energy of a room, the interactions between people, and the feeling of a moment. All while staying mostly invisible.

If you’re doing it well, people forget you were there, but still somehow have 300+ photos that made them feel seen.

What types of events might you shoot?

Birthday parties. A solid entry point. Fun, colorful, chaotic, and relatively low pressure.

Weddings. Honestly? A whole beast of its own. If you’ve never shot one, try second shooting first. There’s a lot of pressure here and the stakes are high. Like, lifetime-regret high.

Corporate events. Think keynote speakers, awkward networking, cheese trays. Kinda boring, but they usually pay on time.

Festivals and galas. Glitz, unpredictability, lots of chances for interesting detail shots.

Sports. Adrenaline. Quick reflexes. You’ll either love this or panic-shoot 1000 photos in continuous mode and cry later in Lightroom.

Concerts. Fast-paced. Wild lighting. If you love people-watching and dramatic shadows, this might be your jam. Honestly, if I could land this gig full-time time I would be in heaven I think. The lighting is so fun. Reach out, make it happen for me!

Gear you actually need (and what you can skip for now)

The best camera is the one you know how to use under pressure. That being said…

• Camera body: Mirrorless or DSLR, preferably full-frame for better low-light performance. Don’t get hung up on brands. Check out this post: What Is the Best Camera for Beginners?
• Lenses: A zoom like a 24-70mm f/2.8 is a workhorse. Add a fast prime (like a 50mm f/1.8) for low light and portraits.
• Flash: An external speedlight. Natural light is nice, but events don’t always give you that luxury.
• Backups: Extra memory cards, batteries, and if you’re doing paid work, a second camera body. Tech fails. It happens. If you have a second camera body, put it to use with a different focal length so you can switch between them quickly.
• Camera bag: You’ll thank yourself for something comfortable and organized.

Skip the giant 600mm lens unless you’re shooting an NFL game from the press box. You can also skip the complicated lighting setups. You don’t need strobes, light stands, light modifiers, or any other cumbersome, complicated gear. Let’s keep it simple for now.

How to not panic over camera settings

Shoot RAW. You don’t need to shoot in full manual to be legit. But you do need to understand how light works.

• Shutter speed: Fast-moving subjects? Start around 1/200. Slower vibes? You can get away with 1/125 or lower.
• Aperture: A wider aperture (lower f-number) lets in more light and gives you creamy bokeh. But watch your focus because f/1.4 is unforgiving.
• ISO: Raise it only as much as you need to. Grain is better than motion blur. Repeat that.
• White balance: Auto WB works most of the time. But if your images look green or magenta, don’t be afraid to tweak it manually or in post.

Do some test shots early. If the lighting is awful, adjust. Don’t wait until the toast is halfway done.

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How to shoot without being that photographer

You know the one. Rude. Snappy. Telling everyone what to do. Flash in everyone’s face. Blocking views. Telling people to redo candid moments. Don’t be that person.

Instead:

• Be quiet. Blend in. Be respectful. Observe more than you direct.
• Read the room. Energy high? Get in there. Energy low? Step back. Watch.
• Stay mobile. Don’t get stuck in one corner unless it’s intentional.
• Anticipate. You’ll start to feel when something is about to happen. Pay attention and lean into that feeling.

Also: never eat the food unless explicitly offered. (That one’s up for debate, but I stand by it.)

Tips for capturing candids and emotional moments

The whole reason you’re here is to capture moments. If someone wasn’t able to attend, you want that person to be able to go through your photos and understand that a story unfolded on this day. Yes, you’re the storyteller of this event.

• Use a longer focal length. You can shoot from a distance without interrupting the moment.
• Shoot through things. Frames, plants, people. Experiment. It adds depth to your photos.
• Look for gestures. Hands, laughs, side glances. That’s where the story is.
• Watch transitions. The walk from the ceremony to the reception, the moments before the toast. Always be watchful. There are quaint moments leading up to big moments.

Sometimes the best photo isn’t what everyone’s looking at. It’s what’s happening just outside the spotlight.

Lighting is everything (and also kind of awful sometimes)

Event lighting is… chaotic. One moment it’s golden hour perfection, the next it’s club rave blue.

Some survival tips:

• Use bounce flash off ceilings or walls. It softens shadows.
• Use the Gary Fong Lightsphere on your speedlight. Pretty much a staple in event photography. You don’t want to blast people in the face with direct light. Just get it. (Affiliate link – If you use my link, I might earn enough for a coffee)
• Don’t use Flash for Concert Photography – The light changes fast. Embrace the chaos.
• Embrace ambient light when it looks good. Don’t kill the vibe with unnecessary flash.
• Use backlight for a dreamy, dramatic look. Just watch for lens flare unless you love that look.

Light shapes everything about your photo. The more you understand it, the more control you’ll have.

Editing: Don’t overdo it

You did shoot RAW right? Subtlety wins here. This isn’t the time to experiment with your editing style, especially if someone hired you because of your previous work. You don’t need to apply neon film grain overlays or turn skin tones into mangoes. Save that for late Friday night editing sessions when you’ve had a drink and are feeling experimental.

Clean edits. Real color. Small tweaks.

• Crop thoughtfully. You’re a storyteller now.
• Balance exposure and white balance. Not everything has to be moody.
• Keep your style consistent so the gallery feels like a unified story.

Also: BACK. UP. YOUR. FILES. Twice.

Building a portfolio without faking it

If you don’t have paying gigs yet, shoot for friends. Go to community events, concerts, etc. Offer to second shoot. Be honest about your experience.

Every shoot adds to your skill, even if it doesn’t land in your portfolio.

Keep only your best work in your portfolio. Less is more. Better to show five great photos than fifty “meh” ones.

The business stuff nobody wants to talk about

That’s including me. I don’t want to talk about this. It’s boring. But…

• Contracts. Always. Even for friends. Boundaries keep friendships intact.
• Pricing. Start where it makes sense, but don’t undersell yourself long-term. You’re offering a real service.
• Communication. Be upfront about what you deliver and when.
• Confidence. It’s okay to say, “I’m newer to this, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got.” That kind of honesty is refreshing.

Also: get testimonials. Screenshots count.

A few questions you’re probably still thinking

OK, I tried to cover everything I wish I knew before I took my first event. If you still have questions or you’re thinking… this guy rambles too much, this next section is for you. Some fast, skimmable answers to the most common questions beginners ask when getting into event photography.

Event Photography Guide FAQ

1. What gear do I need to start event photography?

You don’t need to sell your soul to get started. A solid camera body (mirrorless or DSLR – I break it down more in this post: What’s the Best Camera for Beginners?), a zoom lens like a 24–70mm f/2.8, and a decent speedlight will get you 90% there.

(Heads up: The links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I might earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. I personally recommend the YONGNUO brand for flashes as they’re budget-friendly and I’ve never had any issues with their gear.)

Add in backups (memory cards, batteries, maybe a second body if you’re getting paid), and you’re set. You don’t need the latest flagship model or a 600mm lens. Know your gear and be able to use it in weird lighting with sweaty palms. That’s what matters.

2. How do I shoot good event photos in low light?

Three words: fast lenses, bounce flash. OK, that’s four. Whatever.
Use a lens with a wide aperture (like f/2.8 or faster), bump your ISO (grain is better than blur), and use a speedlight correctly, as in, bounce it off ceilings or walls. Alternatively, use a light modifier like the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Don’t blind people with bare flash aimed right at them. Don’t use flash as a concert. Also, shoot RAW so you can clean things up later. And breathe. That helps too.

3. What camera settings are best for event photography?

There’s no magic setting, but here’s a good starting point:

• Shutter speed: 1/200 for action, slower if things are chill.
• Aperture: f/2.8-ish or lower for dreamy background blur, just watch your focus.
• ISO: As high as needed to get the shot
• White Balance: Auto is fine, but make sure you fix it in post if needed.

Remember…your job is to catch the moment, not win a technical award. Don’t overthink it.

4. How much should I charge for event photography as a beginner?

That’s the question, huh? Start with what makes sense for your experience and gear. Maybe $50–$100/hr for casual gigs. Just don’t stay stuck there forever. Raise your rates as your work improves. And always use a contract, even for friends. Especially for friends. You’re not just taking pictures. You’re recording a story and giving people the comfort of knowing that they’ll be able to revisit it later. That has value.

5. How do I build an event photography portfolio with no clients?

Easy. Start shooting stuff. Offer to shoot your friend’s birthday, local events and concerts, community fundraisers, whatever. Everyone has that one friend looking for someone to photograph their backyard wedding for next to nothing. Take the job. Or ask to second shoot with another wedding photographer. Be honest about your experience and don’t fake it. Only post your best stuff in your portfolio. Five strong images are better than fifty “meh” ones. Build slow but build real.

So, should you become an event photographer?

Maybe.

If you’re curious about people, okay with chaos, and love stories told in real time…yes.

If you want control, predictability, or alone time…maybe no.

Or maybe you’re like me. Someone who likes to wander between niches, borrowing what they love from each.

There’s no one path here. Try it. See how it feels. Shoot an event. Mess it up. Learn something. Shoot another.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to care.

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💬 Have you tried Event Photography? Share your experience below.

Comment below about your experience or any tips you might have. Love to hear from you.