Special Event Photography

Winter in Ontario is going to end. I promise. It may not happen this week but it’s going to happen sooner or later and when it does we’re going to enter into festival and special event season in Ontario.

As a photographer now is the time to research out the events that interest you and see if you can’t get to be the official event photographer!

Often it’s as easy as volunteering via email or a letter. it’s really helpful if you’ve done similar work before or have an online gallery for organizers to view.

Yes you’re not likely to get paid but you sure can fill up your portfolio in a hurry and you’ll get amazing access to some great photographic opportunities.

The smaller the festival or event, the more likely you are to get an agreement with the organizers and an official photographer pass. But some big special events (I know one local photographer who annually shoots the Toronto Indy from one of the official designated photo spots on the track.) might need a few extra shooters and be happy to have you.

Even if you’re not the official photographer there are oppportunities for great photography at lots of street festivals and public special events across Ontario. The photo above is one of series from last year’s massive Gay Pride Parade in Toronto.

One of my personal favourites was the annual Toronto Zombie Walk. This annual event along started in Trinity Bellwood Park on Queen street in Toronto with a few hundred zombie walkers and ended up almost a decade later with thousands of participants. Unforuntately it grew so large that the cost of permits and policing forced it to end.

Locally in any small town there is going to be special fund-raising events for non-profits and charities. Almost without exception any offer of volunteering to take photos is going to be welcomed with open arms.

One of my other favourites is a special event featuring local artists displaying their work. Called Art In My Garden this popular event is attracting larger and larger crowds of visitors to Oakville every year.

Fund-raising charity events always need photographers like this one called The Power of Ten which was a fund-raiser for The Centre for Grieving Children in Oakville.

For photographers in the Oakville Camera Club there will be an opportunity for a new photographer to shoot the club’s annual Capture Oakville juried competition as I won’t be available to shoot it this year. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to share your talents with your fellow club members.

One of the simpliest ways to get great photos at any of these events or festivals is to dress the part of the event photographer. That means for me I normally dress as much in black as I can. I also carry as minimal gear as possible especially during crowded street festivals.

I do not draw attention to myself but if I am going to approach someone to take a photo I either just do it or if it’s more appropriate I will walk up to them slowly with a big smile on my face and say something like “Gee you guys look great. Can I get a photo of you?” My success rate is usually somewere around 9 out of 10. And yes I often pose them for the photo.

If I’m shooting a paying gig or one where there is some expectation that what I’m shooting is important to the organizers I will shoot with one camera usually with a 35mm f/1.2 lens and bring a backup camera often with a short wide zoom. Almost all of this special event or festival work is going to be up close and personal shooting.

I may carry a smaller photo bag with another lens and extra batteries and more SD cards (in case of failure which is know to happen) and maybe a small flash if the event is going into the night time hours.

I’ve often thought if I was doing more of this work I’d get a black t-shirt made up with the words “Event Photographer” on the front and maybe in block letters “Photo” on the back.

This would act like a pseudo press pass and would likely gain you access to restricted areas or passage around barriers with little or no question. Personally I have never had an issue with access unless there was an actual ticket gate (and thus the need to pre-arrange some permissions). I am not above begging for access for a quick photo or two and then stepping back as promised.

If you’re interested in special event photography Ben Staley in his Adventure & Art has some great advice on his latest YouTube video How I Shot A Legendary Music Festival.