Event photography is rather like a cross between wedding photography and street photography. Wedding photography is largely focused on the two getting married, but the shooter also tries to capture other participants throughout the wedding celebration. Street photography is all about moving through streets and sidewalks and maybe alleyways and finding great candid moments to shoot.
Photographing an event, per se, takes some ideas from both. Here, the shooter must move all around the designated area and capture the essence of what the gathering is all about; telling the story of the event. One must watch people, anticipate action, capture details that add to the story. Varying composition, a good event photographer will shoot tight sometimes and also pull back for wider perspectives.
Some events may be outdoors, while others will be inside a building. In either instance, lighting must be considered carefully. An on-camera flash is usually necessary indoors, but can also be useful when the event is taken outside, where fill light can eliminate harsh shadows. The use of flash is tricky and carries with it a learning curve. But flash shots, done properly, can help freeze a subject even in low light and nicely expose people having a good time.
Besides getting great photos of the attendees in various stages of interaction, it is desirable to grab some close-up, detail shots of things that are germane to the theme of the event. For instance, if there is a bar, one might snap an image of a wine glass being filled, showing only arms and hands of the people involved. Or a tight shot of a ring being placed on the bride’s finger at a wedding. Another example is a close-up of two people interacting, as in the photo above, cropping out everything except the subjects. Details shots help round out the photo package delivered after the event is a wrap.