Do we need a photographer at the holiday party?
You need one if anybody’s going to use the pictures after the night. That’s usually more people than you’d think.
The holiday party is the one night a year the whole company’s in a room and dressed for it. Those photos end up on the careers page, in the January newsletter, in the recap email from the CEO, and in the deck that argues for doing it again next year. If all you want is a record for the group chat, phones will do.
What should be photographed?
Most of the night is coverage, and it’s my job to get it without being told. What’s worth writing down is shorter:
- The room before anyone’s in it. Dressed and empty, for about twenty minutes. It’s what the events team uses to sell next year’s venue.
- The remarks. Whoever gives the toast, and the room listening to them.
- The groups people will ask for. Each team, leadership, the people who planned it. Keep the list short: every posed group takes three to five minutes of somebody’s evening.
- Awards, if you hand any out. The name on the screen, the walk up, the handshake.
- People talking. It’s the hardest thing to photograph well, and it’s what shows the night was worth going to.
- The dance floor, if there is one. It fills later than you’d expect.
If the list is long, the event photography shot list guide goes through what belongs on one and what doesn’t.
How long should the photographer stay?
Long enough for the part you’ll use: the arrival, the remarks, the groups and the first stretch of the party. For most companies that’s a few hours, not the whole night.
The late hours are fun, but they’re rarely the photos anyone uses. Plan the coverage around the program, and put anything you really need in the first half.
Won’t a camera make people stiff?
Not when it’s done quietly. I work with the room’s own light wherever I can, stay out of the way, and most people stop noticing after the first drink.
The exception is the posed groups, which is why it helps to do them early, while everybody still looks the way they did when they walked in.
How fast do we get the photos?
Highlights the same night if you ask for them, so the thank-you email can go out with pictures in it. The full gallery usually comes back in one to two weeks, depending on the size of the party.
When should we book?
As soon as the venue’s booked. Holiday parties crowd into the first three weeks of December, and the Thursdays and Fridays go first.
What does it cost?
A full day on site is $5,200. A holiday party is usually a few hours, so it’s quoted from there. Corporate events covers the rest of what I photograph for companies, from mixers to launches.
What should I send for a quote?
The date, the venue, the hours and roughly how many people. That’s enough for a real number in one reply.
