Tag Archives: St. Louis video production

How to Prep for Event Photos: Pro Tips for Success

1. Define Your Photography Goals

Before the event, take the time to identify what you want to achieve with the photos. Are you looking for formal posed shots, candid interactions, or detailed images of the event setup? Knowing your objectives will help guide your photographer and ensure they capture the most important moments.

Consider:

Branding and sponsor visibility
Keynote speakers and VIPs
Audience engagement and networking
Event ambiance and decor
Team moments and behind-the-scenes interactions

2. Choose the Right Photographer

Not all photographers are created equal. Event photography requires experience, the ability to anticipate moments, and adaptability to various lighting and space constraints. A professional commercial photographer, like those at St Louis Commercial Photographers, has the technical skills, equipment, and expertise to deliver outstanding results.

3. Scout the Venue in Advance

A pre-event visit allows the photographer to assess lighting conditions, best vantage points, and potential challenges. If a venue walkthrough isn’t possible, providing a detailed layout or past event images can be helpful.

Consider:

Natural and artificial lighting sources
Venue restrictions on photography or flash usage
Best spots for group photos and brand placements

4. Plan for Lighting

Lighting is one of the most crucial factors in event photography. While many venues provide ambient lighting, it may not always be ideal for professional-quality images. Work with your photographer to determine if additional lighting, such as softboxes or reflectors, is needed.

5. Schedule Key Shots

A shot list helps ensure no critical moment is missed. Work with your photographer to create a list of must-have photos, including:

Speaker introductions
Award presentations
Attendee reactions
Candid networking moments
Group team photos

6. Coordinate with Event Staff

Clear communication between the event planners, AV team, and photographers is essential for smooth operations. Make sure photographers have access to key areas and can move around freely without interrupting the event flow.

7. Inform Attendees About Photography

Let your guests know that photography will be taking place, either through event signage or an announcement. This ensures guests are prepared and can opt out if necessary.

8. Leverage Post-Event Content

Your event images should serve more than just a one-time purpose. High-quality event photography can be repurposed for social media, website content, press releases, and marketing campaigns. Having a strategy for how and where you will use these images maximizes their impact.

Why Choose St Louis Commercial Photographers for Your Event Photography?

At St Louis Commercial Photographers, we bring decades of expertise to professional event photography. As a full-service commercial photography and video production company, we provide studio and on-location photography, video services, editing, and post-production. Our team of licensed drone pilots can capture unique aerial shots, and we specialize in repurposing content for multi-platform branding. Whether it’s an intimate private gathering or a large-scale corporate event, we have the experience, equipment, and creative eye to ensure your visuals stand out.

Since 1982, we’ve worked with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across St. Louis, delivering premium imagery that enhances brand storytelling. With expertise in all file types, media styles, and post-production techniques, we ensure that your event photography aligns perfectly with your marketing goals.

Looking to capture your next event with professional, high-quality visuals? Contact St Louis Commercial Photographers today.

314-913-5626

_{stlouiscommercialphotographers@gmail.com}

How to Edit Video and Photos Together for a Cohesive Look: A Comprehensive Guide for Corporate Photography and Video Productions

1. Start with a Unified Color Palette

One of the easiest ways to create a cohesive look between video and photography is to start with a consistent color palette. Color grading and color correction in video editing are key to ensuring that the video’s colors match the still photos. For instance, if your photographs have a warmer tone, you should aim to adjust your video’s color grading to reflect this tone.

When using a color palette, it’s crucial to consider both the background elements and the subject matter in the shots. Color harmony between the two mediums will help them feel part of the same visual language, making transitions smoother and the narrative more impactful.

2. Consistent Lighting Is Key

Lighting is one of the most fundamental components in both photography and video production. To achieve a cohesive look between video and photos, ensure that the lighting setup used for both mediums is consistent. For example, if your photos are lit with soft, diffused lighting, it’s essential to recreate the same effect in your video.

At St Louis Commercial Photographers, we offer a private studio lighting and visual setup that’s perfect for small productions and interview scenes. Our lighting setup can be easily adjusted to match the look of your photos, ensuring consistency across all visuals.

3. Matching Framing and Composition

While photography and video offer different creative opportunities, keeping similar framing and composition is crucial for maintaining visual continuity. If you shoot a portrait photo of an executive in a tight frame, and then use a wide shot in your video, it may create a disjointed feel.

Consider framing your shots in both video and photo production with the same or similar focal lengths, camera angles, and framing styles. By doing so, you’re ensuring that both mediums appear to come from the same visual world, avoiding abrupt changes in style that could distract the audience.

4. Use of Motion and Static Elements

The way you incorporate motion into your video footage can also impact how it blends with still images. For instance, if you’re working on an interview-style video, you may want to edit your video in a way that incorporates subtle movements—like a slight zoom or slow panning—to keep the visual interest.

When combining photographs with these types of video clips, you’ll want to carefully place the images to complement the pacing and rhythm of the video. Using photographs as static cutaways during slower parts of the video can give a seamless visual experience without disrupting the overall flow.

5. Textures and Overlays to Enhance Transitions

Another effective way to integrate video and photos is by using texture overlays or custom transitions between shots. Adding a subtle texture or gradient overlay to a photo before transitioning into a video clip can help tie the two together visually, especially in moments where one medium fades into the other.

These kinds of visual tricks can also be used to enhance corporate branding. By using your brand’s logo or color scheme subtly throughout your production, you can create a polished and professional look that’s unmistakably yours.

6. Audio Consistency

Though this is not a direct visual element, audio plays a vital role in creating a unified look between video and photo content. If your video features background music or sound effects, ensure that these elements blend seamlessly with the pace and tone of your still images. For instance, if your photos are serious and corporate, the background music in your video should reflect that same tone to keep everything cohesive.

7. Post-Production Editing: Combining Both Media

Once you’ve captured both the video and photography content, the real magic happens in post-production. This is where you can fine-tune colors, lighting, and framing to achieve the perfect balance between your video clips and photos.

When working with mixed media, video editing software allows you to layer photos over video footage, adjust their opacity, apply filters, and align them with video timing. For example, you can have a photo fade in and out of the video as the camera pans, or use stills as overlays during text-driven transitions.

At St Louis Commercial Photographers, we specialize in full-service editing and post-production. Whether you need to repurpose your photography and video branding or integrate both mediums flawlessly, our team is well-equipped to handle all aspects of the editing process.

Why Choose St Louis Commercial Photographers for Your Corporate Video and Photography Needs

At St Louis Commercial Photographers, we understand the art and science of combining video and photography to create a unified, compelling narrative. Since 1982, we’ve been delivering top-tier commercial photography and video production services to businesses, marketing firms, and agencies throughout the St. Louis area.

Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are well-versed in all media types, file formats, and editing software to ensure that your visuals are perfect. Whether you need full-service studio and location video and photography, expert editing and post-production, or specialized drone services, we have everything you need to make your production a success.

We also specialize in repurposing your existing video and photo assets to gain more traction for your brand. With our private studio setup, we can create custom interview environments, offer sound and camera operators, and provide equipment that’s perfect for any production.

Let us help bring your corporate content to life with professional, cohesive visuals that tell your brand’s story.

By following these guidelines and working with a skilled team, you can ensure that your video and photography work together to create a seamless and compelling experience for your audience. Reach out to St Louis Commercial Photographers today to get started on your next project!

314-913-5626

_{stlouiscommercialphotographers@gmail.com}

Cost-Saving Tips for Working with Your Video and Photo Crew

1. Plan Ahead

One of the most effective ways to cut costs is thorough pre-production planning. Take the time to outline your goals, target audience, and the message you want to convey. By having a clear vision, you can avoid unnecessary changes during production, which often lead to increased expenses. Additionally, consider creating a shot list and a detailed schedule to keep the project on track and within budget.

2. Choose the Right Crew

Selecting a video and photo crew with the right expertise is crucial. Experienced professionals can often execute tasks more efficiently, which can save you time and money. When hiring a crew, look for those who have a solid track record in commercial photography and videography, as they will be familiar with the nuances of capturing corporate images and narratives.

3. Utilize In-House Resources

If your company has in-house talent, consider utilizing their skills. This could involve having team members contribute to scriptwriting, project management, or even acting. Leveraging existing resources can significantly reduce costs while also fostering team engagement and investment in the project.

4. Select Cost-Effective Locations

Location plays a vital role in your video and photo production costs. Instead of renting expensive studios or venues, consider using your own office space or other free public locations. However, ensure that the chosen locations align with your brand image and are conducive to the intended message of your production.

5. Be Mindful of Equipment Choices

While high-end equipment can enhance the production value, it’s essential to balance quality with cost. Discuss with your crew which equipment is necessary for your specific project. Sometimes, using more standard gear can still yield impressive results. Additionally, consider companies that offer comprehensive services, including all necessary equipment and skilled operators, to streamline the process.

6. Focus on Editing Efficiency

Post-production can often be where costs spiral out of control. Ensure your crew is efficient in editing and has a clear plan for how long the editing process will take. Providing them with all necessary materials and a well-defined style guide can reduce back-and-forth revisions and save time in the editing phase.

7. Repurpose Existing Content

Repurposing existing photography and video content can help you save on production costs while maximizing the value of your previous work. Consider how you can edit or update older content to fit new campaigns. This strategy can provide fresh material without the need for a full production, giving your marketing efforts a cost-effective boost.

Conclusion

Working effectively with your video and photo crew is essential for producing high-quality visual content while staying within budget. At St Louis Commercial Photographers, we understand the importance of cost-effective strategies in creating impactful photography and video. With over 40 years of experience since 1982, we are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company equipped with the right tools and a talented creative crew to ensure successful image acquisition.

We offer comprehensive services that include studio and location video and photography, editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots. Our expertise allows us to customize productions for diverse media requirements, ensuring that your brand’s visual storytelling is both engaging and impactful.

Our private studio, equipped with advanced lighting and a flexible setup, is ideal for small productions and interviews. Whether you need a custom interview studio or specialized drone services, we have everything required to make your next video production a success. Trust St Louis Commercial Photographers to elevate your brand with high-quality visuals while maximizing your budget effectively.

314-913-5626

_{stlouiscommercialphotographers@gmail.com}