Things to consider when choosing a Photographer for your Masonic Ladies Night

If you are Masonic Ladies Night Festival Secretary aside from the finding a Venue, suitable Entertainment and a Toastmaster you probably want to engage a Photographer to capture your guests in all of their finery.

In these days of digital cameras many set themselves up claiming to be a professional but what you want is not only someone that has the professional skills but someone that has a good track record with your style of event.

When we started out as professional event photographers covering Masonic Ladies Nights we soon realised that Ladies Festivals are not your ordinary Black Tie Dinner and an understanding of the procedures and protocols is essential.

What should you enquire from a prospective Photographer

When seeking a Photographer to cover your Ladies Festival here are a few things to consider:

• Has the photographer a track record of covering Masonic Ladies Nights? We’ve been covering events for nearly 10 years and have many regular clients – avoid those that cover events as a pastime.
• Can they provide examples from previous Ladies Festivals? Perhaps they have examples such as we do on our website.   Don’t be complacent and believe what you are told – the proof is in the seeing!
• Do they process and print photos on the night? Most professionals do now have the capability to provide guests with photographs to take away whilst a few only permit purchasing online which is far from ideal.  Our printers produce photos in just 20 seconds so we can efficiently handle events and easily provide repeat photos
• Is there a fee for attending? Most will photographers attend for free provided there are a minimum number of guests.  Our minimum is 80 but we can still put a package together that will avoid an attendance fee – perhaps the Master providing photos as Ladies Night gifts.
• Do they remain throughout the evening? We have heard of photographers taking the arrival photos and expecting to sell them there and then and leaving when you enter for dinner. This is far from ideal as it causes queues when you guests should be socialising with their friends.  Also many guests often request Group Photos later in the evening.   We will remain until all have had a chance to view their photographs post dinner.
• Does your photographer arrive equipped with Backdrop and Studio Lights? Whilst many venues have an internal feature that will act as a suitable backdrop often this is not the case.  We carry a selection of backdrops that have proved popular – we always strive to find something at the venue that will provide for a unique photograph, even photos outside but this is not always possible.

If you are new to organising a Masonic Ladies Festival we hope you find these notes useful and do give us a call or send us an email if you would like to engage Black Tie Event Photos to cover you evening.