First Impressions Matter: Why I Started with Online Portfolios
I didn’t know how to begin my search for a photographer, since I had been put in charge by the team. We recognized that having someone who had energy, professionalism and the right eye would be perfect for our big day.
So, I started with the obvious: browsing online portfolios. I entered “corporate event photographer in Singapore” into the search engine and went through many websites. It was obvious right away which players had played before and which hadn’t. Effective portfolios included lots of images from candid scenes, important notes given by the keynote speakers, team pictures, demonstrations of goods and even snapshots of the venue and branding. That variety mattered. It made it clear the photographer understood how to pick the best places and moments to shoot.
It wasn’t only beautiful pictures I wanted; I wanted proof. And those portfolios gave it.
Beyond Aesthetics: Understanding Their Style and Approach
I made a list of photographers with impressive samples and then I focused on each one’s style. Were their pictures brighter and open or did they include more drama in their shots? Were the shots natural or overly staged? Did people in their photos look comfortable or stiff?
I understood that photography style should be about giving an emotional feeling, not only making things look nice. Because we were planning a tech product launch, we aimed for some professionalism and lots of excitement. Photos that looked like they came from a wedding or concert became screening points and were discarded by me. So, my choice was photographers who took pictures at business events with a modern, up-to-date style.
At that point, I realized that fashion trends are different from how someone actually works. That led me to…
Reviews and Testimonials: What Other Clients Say Matters
Next, I dove into reviews. No portfolio can tell you if the photographer was late, forgot some important shots or made the guests feel uncomfortable.
I looked at posts on LinkedIn, reviews on Google and comments on Instagram. Of course, I checked for any warning signs, yet I also looked for good reviews that included real examples like: “She helped our CEO relax” or “In charge of group shots, he didn’t disrupt the event at all.”
One testimonial stuck with me. It described it like this: “He did not stand out when working, but once we saw the images, it seemed he covered all the places.” That’s the kind of praise you can’t fake. And that’s the photographer I wanted.
Personality Fit: The Game-Changer I Didn’t Expect
Here’s where things got interesting. I invited my top choices to come on a short Zoom call to see how it felt. Because this person is with our guests, interacts with special invitees and stages each photo, their mood matters a lot since it might spoil the atmosphere.
The first one was technically skilled, but felt… robotic. While the host interacted well with the audience, things were unclear during the logistics part of the recording. Then came the third. Looked calm, answered questions with confidence and proved they were familiar with corporate challenges. She enquired about our schedule for the show, how she could best light the venue, what branding colors to use and even about our planned shots.
That call sealed the deal. It was certain both her pictures and her professionalism would be a pleasure to experience.
Planning Together: How Communication Built Confidence
Because of her proactivity after we hired her, I appreciated her. She wanted to see the site in advance, carefully checked the branding material and suggested having a second photographer because of the large number of guests.
We also shared a basic timeline with her and she helped make changes to match when group shots, speaking photos and informal network moments would happen. Her input wasn’t pushy—it was informed. And that gave us confidence.
They needed someone who could quickly answer calls and questions during the event (not me, thankfully!), so I could focus on the event instead of being an assistant. That little detail made a huge difference.
Budget Talks: Transparency Beats Guesswork
Let’s talk money. Early on, I asked each photographer for a quote. A few firms came back with general cost estimates or proposed ‘complete’ packages we weren’t exactly looking for.
But the one we chose? Her pricing summary included how long the shoot would last, time for post-production, the number of images, agreement on licensing and some optional services like fast turnover or printed albums. No jargon. No hidden fees. Just clarity.
Yes, she wasn’t the cheapest. Because she was so upfront and because of the advantages she supplied, I felt that the decision was an investment and not a risk.
On Event Day, Teams Must Be Professional, Friendly and Invisible in a Good Manner
On the day she filmed, she arrived early, dressed as someone attending the event and began to work immediately.
She was quietly observant, photographing what happened between discussions, during speeches and moments of surprise emotion. She didn’t interrupt. She didn’t stage weird poses. She was able to get clear and precise photos in a setting with confusing light.
The best part? Several attendees actually complimented her. Her friends thought she was “friendly” and “respectful of people’s space.” That’s rare for an event photographer.
Turnaround Time: Fast, Organized, and Impressive
A sneak peek gallery arrived three days after the event, composed of 20 top shots we could immediately share on our social media accounts. It was very helpful, because our marketing staff was excited to start sharing the buzz.
One week after the shoot, the gallery became available: it contained hundreds of crisp, edited shots. Sorted by time and theme. Each file was named clearly. It is possible to get the files large enough for print or as reduced images for your website. Included was a “best of” folder with some suggested pictures for press and client use.
Talk about overdelivering.
Attention: Hiring a Photographer Is Not Only About The Photos
Treating a corporate event photographer like simply part of the preparation process is a mistake. It’s not only about having someone click the shutter—you invite someone to help you document your life.
Having gone through it, I find these are why we made the right pick:
- A strong, relevant portfolio
- A style that matched our event’s vibe
- Glowing client reviews with specifics
- A personality that fit seamlessly with our team
- Proactive communication and planning
- Clear, honest pricing
- Professionalism from setup to delivery
The pictures showed much more than beauty; they captured what we were like. They preserved the energy, the bonds and our purpose during the event. And that’s what made the whole process worth it.
Prepared to Hire the Best Photographer for Your Next Company Event?
Take your time. Ask questions. Trust your gut. Always keep in mind that the right photographer is a team member, not just a person you pick for the day.
If you organize corporate events in Singapore and require someone who works well between creativity and work culture, pixorpixel.com should be your first pick.