Take advantage of the space
Every room in which a speaker presents is different.
Take advantage of those wrinkles and nuances each space offers in your photos.
When an expert delivers their keynote on stage, it’s quite a magical moment.
The passion they exhibit through every word and the audience’s reaction is truly something special.
While the opportunity to deliver an empowering and actionable message virtually through a screen has been a godsend, especially over the past couple years, it pales in comparison to the energy felt with everyone together under the same roof.
Admittedly, I’m biased in my opinion, but I have my reasons…
…but all of them have to do with the creative latitude afforded to me when we’re all in the same room.
You see, every space in which a keynote happens is different.
Different staging and lighting.
Different seating arrangement.
Different play spaces for me to capture the moments that matter on the stage.
All of which leads to creating dynamic and compelling images that help to tell more interesting visual stories of the work of transformation that happened on that stage.
Recently, I was in Texas shooting a keynote for my colleague, Phil.
Rather than the typical hotel ballroom setup that he and I have worked in together over the past 4 years, this gig was a little bit different.
We were in an arena.
Needless to say, I was licking my chops at the opportunity as I have never worked in a space like that before.
During the tech rehearsal, I had a glimpse at the space, and noticed that there were elements present here that could help produce some interesting and unique image assets that are currently not in his portfolio.
First, I observed that the arena had a digital banner that ran the length of the facade. I also noticed that the conference created a unique digital graphic with each speaker's name and image on it.
I took a mental note and moved on.
I also noticed that, in addition to the two, large screens flanking the stage, the arena also had two additional screens near the ceiling that flanked the left and right sides of the stage.
I knew those visual elements were going to be worked in to the photos, as well.
And lastly, while walking to the back of the house, I noticed the event producers had an impressive setup.
Instead of 2-3 monitors stacked together so they can see all the camera feeds and pre-recorded videos and slides, they had an ENORMOUS MONITOR propped in front of the switcher with everything visible on it.
That thing was definitely getting it’s picture taken, for sure!
The moment Phil stepped onto the platform, it was time to make the donuts:
These handfuls of photos are wonderful in that they offer him an opportunity to tell his story visually of what happened in a way that is unique to this particular space.
They illustrate how big the room the room is, which, in turn, is a visual cue to event professionals looking to hire speakers that he is at a speaker that can handle a space as large as an arena.
When spaces and places to speak like this are presented to you, this is exactly what you need captured by your photographer during your keynotes.
Yes, it’s important to have the typical wide, medium and close-up shots from any presentation, including any crowd work and audience shots. We certainly got a boatload of those, as well.
But these compelling, epic photos are visually unique and that helps create distinction from other folks in your space in the minds of those that are in a position to book your services.
The next time you walk through the space with your photographer during tech rehearsal, be mindful to point out the interesting visual opportunities that that room affords them when you’re on stage doing your thing.
In the end, these photos offer a slew of creative opportunities for your design team when putting together your speaker proposals, online content and other marketing projects.
The juice, undoubtedly, is worth the squeeze :)
For more information on visual storytelling strategies for experts who speak, write books, facilitate, run workshops and consult, I invite you to sign up for my blog. That’s where I share the goodies - check it out for yourself :)