One person or a photographer and videographer for your event?
One person can shoot both photos and video at an evening reception, drinks or a small awards night. When the big moments need to be both photographed and filmed, or the event really matters, book a separate event photographer and videographer. One person can only capture each moment one way.
The catch with one person doing both
A hybrid shooter is one person carrying a camera for stills and video. It works well, but at every important moment they have to choose: the photo or the clip. At a prize-giving or any brief, fleeting moment, you only get one of the two.
If you book one person, tell them to default to the photograph for those moments. A strong photo of an award handover keeps being used long after the event.
When one person is the right call
One person works well when:
it's an evening event or drinks reception
it's a small awards ceremony and a photo of each award is enough
you mainly need lots of great pictures
the video is one highlight, or two or three short clips for social media
you can set aside time for an interview corner where they only film
Our evening option is built for exactly this: one person, photo and video, up to 3 hours, for £950 + VAT, with every photo edited within 48 hours and two 15-second highlight reels by 9am the next morning.
When to book a photographer and a videographer
Book two people when the event matters and the key moments won't happen twice: conferences, launches, awards with a big moment with a big moment, anything going to press. Trying to squeeze two jobs into one person is where coverage gets missed.
Our evening photographer and videographer option is £1,495 + VAT for up to 3 hours, with every speech and award both photographed and filmed, and a 60 to 90 second highlight film.
How a photographer and videographer work the same room
Most of the time they work side by side, capturing the same moments from their own angles. Then they split when the brief needs it:
the photographer peels off for a group shot or the details
the videographer films interviews or vox pops, or sets up a static camera
You won't see them in each other's shots. Event professionals are trained to keep out of each other's way. They're always checking where the other one is, and most of their communication is a glance across the room.
Why having both pays off on the day
On one brand event our London event team covered, the client needed photos and video the same day. Because both were ready, their press release went out the next morning with pictures, and it picked up lots of press. The video went straight onto their social channels, so they saw the response while the event was still news.
If your budget only stretches to one
If your budget only covers one person, book a hybrid shooter for a shorter time. You still get photos and some video.
If you have to choose between photo and video, choose photography. Event photography keeps paying off: from one event you'll use the photos in next year's brochure, on social media, on your website and in reports, for years. Video has its place: it's engaging and sticky on social media. But add it once the photography is secured.
Plan your event coverage
See our event photography, event video and conference and awards coverage, or tell us about your event and we'll recommend one person or a team.
Questions
Can one person take photos and film an event?
Yes, for evening events, drinks receptions and small awards nights of up to 3 hours, for £950 + VAT. They have to choose between a photo and a clip at each moment, so if you need the speeches, awards or launch moment both photographed and filmed, book a photographer and a videographer for £1,495 + VAT.
Should I book photography or video first?
Photography. Event photos get used for years in brochures, reports, on your website and on social media. Add video once the photography is covered.
Do the photographer and videographer get in each other's shots?
They're trained not to. Event professionals keep out of each other's way and stay aware of where the other is throughout the event.
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