Did you know that events are being billed as one of the best ways to boost profits for your business in 2018?That's right -- but what if you don't get any decent photos of your event? Will it still be as effective?No.If you want your events to generate excitement online, strengthen your brand image, and tell compelling stories, you need professional photos.Simply snapping a few pictures on your smartphone won't cut it -- and could actually damage your brand image.Want to learn exactly why professional event photography is essential?Keep reading.

1. Exciting Photos Boost Future Event Attendance

How keen would you be to go to an event if you had no idea what it was going to be like? You'd probably be less than enthusiastic.When you share professional pictures of your event, you give potential future guests a clear idea of what to expect -- and what not to expect.This means that nobody will arrive and be disappointed, and you won't attract the wrong kind of attendees.If you've invested a lot in the event, you'll get tons of extra value from sharing pictures of the awesome things you've organized.Got a virtual reality station? Be sure to share pictures of people wearing headsets and having fun!Putting on an epic pizza buffet? Your social media followers will go wild for a cool snap of all the food laid out.The money you've spent on making your event great goes even further when you share images online. Instead of reaching only the people at the event, you'll make an impression on hundreds or thousands of followers.No matter what kind of event you're running, sharing awesome pictures will make people way more likely to come and check you out.

2. Professional Pictures Make Your Brand Look Good

Imagine your favorite brand sharing dark, blurry, out-of-focus, or badly-framed photos on their website. What would you think?You'd be confused -- and less likely to trust the brand in the future.Sharing unprofessional event pictures makes your brand look cheap, amateur, and unreliable -- which is exactly what you don't want. Hiring an expert ensures that your brand image stays positive and consistent.Giving your photographers details on your branding beforehand is a great way to get them on board and ensure you get the kind of pictures you're looking for.If you're going for a playful image, the photographer can shoot fun, experimental images. If you want to come across as serious and formal, they can adopt a more traditional approach.You're trusting your photographer with your brand -- so make sure they're a pro.

3. Images Are the Best Way to Tell the Story of Your Event

Instagram stories now have more than 300 million daily active users, and similar platforms, like Snapchat, are also performing well.It's clear that social media users love seeing stories told in picture form. If you want to take advantage of this trend, you need professional event photography.Posting live updates before, during, and after your event is a great way to make your social media followers feel like they're getting an exclusive, "behind the scenes" view of what's happening.You could post candid snaps of the event space being set up, professional pictures of the event in progress, and highlights of the day afterwards.This should create tons of hype, and anyone who isn't at your event will wish they were.If you want to add an authentic edge to your story, don't be afraid to share images of things going wrong. This makes your brand feel more "real" and gives users a reason to check back and see if things were fixed.A picture really does speak a thousand words -- especially when it comes to brand storytelling.

4. Live Posting Pictures Generates Buzz Online

Want social media followers to see exactly what's going on during your event?Many professional photographers also bring along assistants who can share images live on your behalf.This is perfect if you don't have a dedicated team member to manage your feeds, and you don't want to appear distracted by your phone during the event.You could share pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, inviting comments and likes from viewers.Consider adding a call to action to the best snaps. For example, "Comment on this picture for a chance to win tickets to our next event."It makes sense to get potential attendees engaged at the exact moment they're paying attention to your event, as they might lose interest later on.If you have any social media influencers in attendance, make sure that they have access to plenty of snaps to share online. Most photographers will have plenty of experience working with influencers, and vice versa.If you didn't live-tweet your event, did it really happen?Not in the minds of most of your followers!

5. Expert Photographers Know How to Put Subjects at Ease

Ever tried to photograph a shy person attending your event? We're betting it didn't go well.Many people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, and it takes a skilled photographer to bring them out of their shells.When you pay for professional event photography, you can be sure you'll get great snaps of all the people attending.Most photographers will give you a great mix of candid shots and posed photographs, with subjects looking natural and at ease.Don't risk trying to take pictures yourself.There's a good chance you'll make guests feel uncomfortable and end up with substandard pictures -- not cool.

Should You Invest in Professional Event Photography?

No matter how big or small your budget is, investing in professional event photography is an absolute must.Amateur snaps will make your company look cheap, won't showcase your event well, and could decrease attendance at future events.Professional photography, on the other hand, will strengthen your brand image, generate tons of hype online, and ensure that your future events are a massive success.Ready to arrange photography for your next event? Contact us for a quote today.