Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Event Photographer or Videographer in Sydney
Planning an event — whether it’s a corporate conference, awards night, product launch, or private function — comes with a million moving parts. One thing that often gets overlooked until the last minute? Photography and videography.
Capturing your event isn’t just about having pretty pictures. It’s about creating content that promotes your brand, documents key moments, and tells the story of your event. But hiring the wrong photographer or videographer can lead to disappointment — and missed opportunities.
Here are the Top 5 mistakes to avoid when hiring an event photographer or videographer in Sydney.
✅ 1. Prioritising Price Over Quality
It’s tempting to choose the cheapest option — we get it.
But when it comes to photography and videography, “you really do get what you pay for.”
Cut-rate pricing often means:
Inexperience
Poor quality equipment
Lack of professional editing
Rushed or careless work
Worse still, a missed shot or poor-quality video can’t be fixed afterwards.
Investing in an experienced, professional event photographer or videographer saves you from the stress (and expense)
of disappointment later. You don’t want your event photos to look like bad passport photos, right?!
✅ 2. Not Checking the Portfolio Properly
Not all photographers are the same — and not every good photographer is the right fit for events.
Check their portfolio carefully:
Do they have plenty of experience with events?
Do you like their editing style — clean, vibrant, natural, or documentary?
Are the images sharp, well-lit, and professionally composed?
A strong portfolio is the best indicator of whether they can deliver the results you need.
✅ 3. Not Clarifying What’s Included
This one catches people out all the time. Not all services are created equal.
Make sure you ask:
How many hours are covered?
Are all images edited?
Does video include a highlight reel only or , raw footage, full speeches, or short clips for socials?
Are there extra costs for additional hours, travel, or special editing?
Always get it in writing. A clear contract protects both sides and ensures everyone’s on the same page.
✅ 4. Forgetting to Ask About Turnaround Time
Your event might end on the day — but your need for photos doesn’t.
Many companies rely on next-day images for social media, press releases, internal newsletters, or follow-up emails.
Always ask:
“When will we receive our photos or videos?”
Do you offer a next-day sneak peek photos or social media highlights?
A good photographer understands how important fast delivery is — especially for corporate events.
✅ 5. Poor Communication
This is often overlooked until it’s too late. Poor communication before the event can lead to major problems on the day.
Look out for red flags like:
Vague emails
Slow replies
No clear understanding of your event schedule or key moments
A professional event photographer or videographer will:
Confirm details clearly
Ask for your run sheet
Check on any must-have shots (VIPs, branding, key speeches)
Be proactive in their communication so there are no surprises
🎯 In Summary
Hiring an event photographer or videographer isn’t just ticking a box — it’s an investment in your brand.
Avoiding these five common mistakes ensures that your event is captured beautifully, professionally, and stress-free.
At Sydney Creative Photography, with over 25 years experience in event photography and videography industry,
we pride ourselves on being reliable, easy to work with, and committed to delivering high-quality photography and videography that elevates your brand.
Got an event coming up in Sydney?
👉 Get in touch with us today to check availability or request a quote.