Parties and get-togethers with friends and family are always fun and enjoyable. People appreciate spending time together after a hectic day. As a party and group photographer, however, you will encounter many different situations. You need to account for plenty of movement, indoor and outdoor lighting conditions, and other unexpected moments.
With a good camera, you can create a successful photo story of the party that will serve as a lasting memory. Here are ten essential tips for taking the best party photos—images that everyone will enjoy and want to share.
1. Arrive early
By being the first to arrive at the party, you can capture the venue’s unique details, such as the decorations, the gifts (especially at birthday and Christmas parties), the arrangement of the glasses and food, or the empty tables, perhaps using the existing light coming in through the windows. Arrive well before the party starts to capture these details and establish the atmosphere.
It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with the lighting conditions beforehand and test what works best technically. If your schedule allows, you could even visit the party venue a few days in advance.
2. Set up your camera
Parties are usually held in the evening in low-light conditions. It is therefore important to set your camera to manual mode so you can control the exposure and adjust it quickly.
Use flash with care, preferably in combination with the available light, to preserve as much of the atmosphere as possible.
A 50 mm prime lens is a suitable choice for low-light photography, because most 50 mm prime lenses have a maximum aperture somewhere between f/1.8 and f/1.4.
When working in low light, it is best to raise the ISO to make your camera more sensitive to light.
Many photographers avoid higher ISO settings because they can introduce digital noise and other image-quality issues (although this is less of a concern with newer cameras). Even so, a little noise is far better than blur caused by being unable to use a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action.
Sometimes you can even go so far as to place one or two studio strobes discreetly in the room, bounced off the ceiling and triggered wirelessly, to support photography in difficult lighting conditions.
3. Take the group photos first
The best time to take group photos is when people arrive at the party. They look fresh and at their best. After a few drinks or once they are absorbed in conversation, people become less cooperative.
So photograph the groups at the beginning of the party, just as everyone arrives.
4. Prepare carefully for large groups
If you are going to take a large group photo, good preparation is more than half the battle. First, choose a place where everyone is likely to be clearly visible. Use an elevated camera position or look for a tiered floor arrangement. You can also bring around ten kitchen step stools to make this easier.
While taking the photo, check that every face is clearly visible. Ask anyone who is intentionally or unintentionally hiding behind someone else to move so they appear more clearly in the frame. At the moment of exposure, call out loudly to the group so everyone looks at the camera.
5. Look for expression
Photography is all about capturing expressions, so observe carefully with your camera ready. Wait for people to react, laugh, or dance.
Again, do not forget to raise your voice so people turn toward you and look into the camera.
6. Put people at ease
All photographers know that self-conscious people can spoil a photo. But remember that not everyone who comes to the party is an outgoing, energetic person. As the photographer, it is your job to make everyone feel at ease.
If someone seems shy or nervous at first, do not point it out to them. Chat with them for a moment or make a joke to keep the situation relaxed. Ask general questions and smile. Simply include them.
7. Take candid photos
Well-composed photos always look good, but if you want images with natural expressions of joy, candid shots are best.
Look around the party. You will find plenty of special moments and expressions to capture. Sometimes, try not to make it too obvious that you are pressing the shutter, as that can spoil the moment.
8. Use props
Props are some of the best ways to add fun to party photography. People often enjoy different kinds of props, such as wigs, hats, and funky glasses.
Do not force people to use the props, because some really do not like them at all. But if you have a unique and interesting idea involving props, share it with the people at the party. It can make their photos cool and memorable.
9. Zoom out
Try to take as many different photos as possible. Do not keep focusing on one person; zoom out to photograph a few people together, then zoom out even farther to include the party venue in the frame. Take plenty of photos from different viewpoints—you can select the best ones afterward.
10. Enjoy yourself!
If you are not enjoying the party, the people in front of your lens will not enjoy it either, and that will show in the photos. Along with the host, you are the person who needs to interact with people and put them at ease. That only happens if you are enjoying the party too.
Read this article in Dutch: 10 tips voor fotograferen op feesten.
