Tips for Photographing School Events by Cissa Madero Communications Specialist Pearland ISD Arrive early. You’ll have a chance to chat with the staff involved with the planning to learn important details about the event. This helps you identify prime spots to position yourself. Think: parade route, who enters/exits from what side of the stage, etc. Bring your “FERPA NO” list. This allows you to identify, with the assistance of school staff at the event, who you can and can’t photograph. Less time identifying names after the event equals quicker turnaround for sharing/posting and no wasting of amazing photos that end up with students who can’t be photographed. Get a copy of the program and keep it in your back pocket. You’ll be able to identify the best moments to move from one spot to another, allowing you to create visual variety in your photos. Watch the details and try to “anticipate” what is about to happen. When you pay close attention, you learn when a speaker tends to smile as they’re addressing the crowd; you learn that the dancer spins in repetition to a certain beat of the music; you see that the student in the back row of the stage is having a great time with his friend next to him. Better timing, better photos. Focus on getting a good mix of posed and candid photos. Imagine having to select your 10 best shots and they all look the same ... nothing but podium speeches and groups of people looking at the camera smiling. Great shots go way beyond that: photograph the audience’s reaction, sit on the floor, use the stage décor to create an interesting layer in your foreground, take detailed shots of costumes, capture hugs, handshaking, someone screaming in excitement! Don’t be shy and be quick on your feet. Even though you are not the one who will be photographed, put a smile on your face (mask or no mask) and approach people. Ask to take their photo, get a little closer to capture a candid moment, move around and try to cover much as possible. HAVE FUN! Cliché? Maybe. But when you are having fun, or when you are moved by any emotion at all, your photos come to life. Bored photographer … boring photos. And no one likes either of those.
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Fall 2021 | www.TSPRA.org
