5 Event Photography Terms Every Planner Should Know…
Do YOU use these top 5?
Planning an event is no small feat, and working with an event photographer shouldn’t feel like an overwhelming task. Your photographer is there to make your life easier—not another vendor you have to micromanage! When you hire an experienced pro, they should seamlessly blend into your team, handling the technical side of things so you can focus on running a flawless event.
That said, while you shouldn’t need to spell out every detail, having a basic understanding of a few key photography terms can help ensure you get the exact shots you need for your portfolio. Knowing these terms can save time, streamline communication, and make sure your event’s most important moments and people are captured beautifully.
By speaking the same language as your photographer, you’ll not only get the images you want but also come off as even more professional in the eyes of your client.
Here are five must-know photography terms for event planners:
1. Grip-and-Grin
A “grip-and-grin” is a classic posed photograph where guests look toward the camera, smile, and—sometimes—shake hands, hence the “grip.” Your photographer should be engaging with guests and pulling couples, pairs or groups of people together and asking them to “Hey! Look here for a quick photograph, please!”
This type of shot is a staple of event photography, especially for highlighting VIPs or key figures at your event. It's perfect for capturing moments with keynote speakers, celebrities, or top executives, giving them—and your event—a polished and professional touch. Grip-and-grins are also fantastic for press releases or post-event media coverage, allowing you to showcase the most important attendees.
2. Step-and-Repeat
The “step-and-repeat” is another essential posed photograph, taken in front of a branded backdrop featuring repeated logos, like the ones you see at red-carpet events or press conferences.
These shots ensure that each guest or group is photographed, usually as they arrive. The branded backdrop does double duty, both promoting your event’s sponsors or host and giving guests a photo op.
A word of warning…
Despite their upsides, step-and-repeats can be basic. With guests only able to stand in front of a busy backdrop, photos can become monotonous. I mean, how many of the same prom poses can you scroll through on Instagram before going cross-eyed?
So, if you’re looking for a more elevated option, our portrait studio offers a luxurious experience with fully posed portraits that feel more like a fashion photoshoot, and we feature your logo in a more refined way—using chic embossed mats that stand out long after the event is over.
3. Candids
Candids are the unposed, spontaneous photos that capture your guests interacting naturally—laughing, chatting, enjoying the event.
These shots are essential for storytelling. They provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it felt like to attend your event, and they’re perfect for showcasing the energy, fun, and emotions of the day. From lively conversations to rapt attention during presentations, candids are a must for any event portfolio, as they highlight the real experience of being there. Your photographer should be anticipating the climax of conversations and the punch lines of a joke… These are the moments worth capturing.
4. Detail Shots
These are the photos that showcase your meticulous attention to every detail. These photos help you build your portfolio of your social media pages! You’ve spent weeks—maybe months—perfecting everything from floral arrangements to table settings, and you’ll want to make sure that’s reflected in your event’s photography. It’s essential that these images are captured *before* guests arrive.
Detail shots focus on the décor, food, signage, and other design elements that set the stage for the experience. Pro tip: Always confirm with your photographer that they’ll capture these shots before guests arrive so everything looks perfect. At The Vanity Portrait Studio, we provide 30 minutes of pre-event detail coverage for FREE with every booking, ensuring that your hard work is captured for your portfolio.
5. ***Theeeeee*** Room Shot
This is the HERO of your photography gallery! The Room Shot is the ultimate photograph that showcases ALL of your hard work. This is a wide photograph that showcases your main ballroom or your main gathering space in it’s pristine state right before guests arrive. As a planner you’ll want to anticipate and partner with your photographer to get this photograph. A good strategy is to ask all other vendors to finish their work well in advance of guest arrival and then find a time to leave the room for 5 minutes… Ask catering to hold up for just 2 minutes, ask the florist to set the peonies down for 2 minutes, ask the AV team to find their stations behind the scenes (and even to set the lighting in its most stunning setting) and then give the photographer the go ahead once vendors have left the room. This will leave your hard work in picture perfect state with all of its grandess in one photograph. This is the photo you want on your home page and in your portfolio.
By learning and using these five key photography terms, you’ll not only streamline communication with your photographer but also ensure your event is captured in the most compelling way possible. From candid moments to grand scenes, you’ll have a complete visual story of your event to showcase to future clients and stakeholders.