Photography Venue Problems and Solutions

Wedding, event, club, and party photographers have to constantly assess and deal with a plethora of issues in rooms of all shapes and sizes. In this video, we will answer the question: How do you deal with problems at a venue?
First time here? Hi, I'm Omar Gonzalez, a professional portrait and event photographer in the NYC/NJ area. On this channel, we talk cameras, lenses, and techniques to improve our photography.
My business:
www.omargonzalezphotography.com
Gear I use for business: • The Event Photography ...
Social Follow/Contact me
Instagram: ogonzilla
ogonzilla
***********************************************************************

[@jackblackwhole]

‘Moments over lighting’ Will take that with me.

[@AngeloRyanMaalat]

moments beat lighting !! I want that on a t-shirt !!!

[@rickmiller1840]

No idea why you don’t have 1,000,000 subs. Great content.

[@1208aa]

I would hire this guy because he is passionate about doing a good job.

[@ebouwens]

I'd love for you to have this as an occasional series. It's fun to hear you make adjustments on the fly. Need to get the Rogue Flashbender back in my kit.

[@ogonzilla]

Gets no views 😂

[@ebouwens]

@@ogonzilla I get it, and you covered it well in this video.

[@paulcarmody5354]

Wish I saw this a year ago, I was thrown in to do an event when my main thing is portaits...it was a horrible experience because the venue was awful for photography, I had a new camera I had not fully come to grips with and they wanted happy action...so no setups. The shots I got were great in terms of content, but I had to edit the hell out of them for the light. I learnt a lot from the experience and have shot a lot of these now and am getting better at it all the time. Your advice really helps me in the calming down and planning scenarios. Appreciated.

[@Bloggerky]

As someone who shoots a lot of events for non-profits, this is genuinely helpful. “Calling an audible” is a phrase I’ll remember. Happy Thanksgiving to your family.

[@nataliemayphotography]

I am so glad I found your channel. Please make more videos like this! I have been shooting events for years but I love seeing how you work, the settings and solutions to problems and I've learnt a lot. I especially like that you show examples to illustrate your points too. Keep up the good work. I'd love to watch you do an edit down and retouch video too :) Much love from the UK xxxx

[@Rustie.]

This was a SUPER useful video, loved the nuggets of useful information and the laid back and personal explanations - thanks so much Omar! Keep up the great work 💜

[@carmenfissenden2530]

Fabulous insight in to how your little grey cells operate on site . Not everybody is a pro or has clients , but this is gold dust . Listening to your commentary was to learn way more than reading a load of books on the topic . Thank you Omar for taking the time to explain this to us .

[@tedkloske9273]

This was very well done Omar and drew attention to the many things we deal with at a venue. Your images are fun and creative!

[@joerichard171]

Love this vid. It’s great to go through your thought process for all the items you have to juggle and your solutions for when the defence calls a blitz. Hope you do more of these. A real eye opener for those who think the photographer just shows up and wings it.

[@chadnordstromvisuals]

This was excellent! Thank you so much, I deeply appreciate your explanation and real world shots to visualize what you’re teaching.

[@janzychiewicz]

Great video Omar, I love the way you explain things and talk about photography in general. Insightful, comprehensive and yet so pleasing to watch. Thanks for cool content!

[@reginaldoppenheimer334]

I have learned more from your channel than all others combined. Awesome info!

[@irenerobertsonishotimages5712]

Another great video you are not only a talented photographer but also great at communicating your message. You are my go to on YT even though I have been doing photography for many years, I always learn something.

[@jscheib8252]

By far the best and most helpful photography channel. Every other photo channel is focused on post and presets, while you help us become better at the gig so we don't have to rely on post to fix mistakes. I'm primarily outdoor events because my clients are mostly cities and parks, but I've had some indoor stuff recently that I would've totally botched without your info.

[@afblrl]

I definitely could see this being a series. Very helpful video

[@msmphoto553]

Bravo Omar…👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. This is truly one of your best videos! Thank you for sharing your approach in shooting an event. Found this extremely informative.

[@WoodyONeal]

Great tips from a fellow “eventer”. Similar audibles when shooting editorial. Love the work Omar.

[@charliejg]

Super cool analytical look at a practical situation. You've always be more about practical than shooting brick walls though. Love that! Not sure if you ever did a video about how you got started and your progression/learning curve as a photographer. Could be an interesting episode! Thanks for all you do. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday Omar!

[@deroux]

I think a lot of event photographers can find this video informative. Working in a dynamic changing environment is both a challenge and very rewarding. Great video friend.

[@EduBroncano]

What a privilege to have all this info from a real pro photographer.... Even though I only shoot nature due my introvert condition, but still I enjoy a lot watching that kind of videos. Thanks a lot señor Omar!

[@dunnymonster]

Excellent Omar, as a big fan of your shooting style it's great to have some insight into how you approach and assess the situation 👍

[@richardsmith5021]

Great info at just the right time. Getting ready to shoot first wedding, very helpful. Will probably review the video a couple more times. Thanks.

[@patriciapulidophotop.972]

love your videos and your humor!!

[@ihproductionsncr]

Great information, love this channel.

[@RobShootPhotos]

Thank you! I always enjoy event photography but haven't pursued it much since the pandemic. Maybe this is the encouragement I needed. Nice reminders and little details on how you manage an event. 😁

[@PhotoTrekr]

Since I found your videos I've always thought that with your technical ability and personality, you are the perfect event photographer. Ok, maybe not perfect. But, close. :)

[@Deminimis2]

This was better than great. I will have to watch over and over again. Just hope it sinks in.

[@timrosenthal46]

Fantastic info mate ...loved it !

[@AngeloRyanMaalat]

as someone who took the leap this summer and did some events this video really helps !! Also the analogies were on point lol

[@arcanion3124]

This is what more photographers should make vids about - seeing light. And all the tips for on location shootings. Great!

[@duttaworld]

This is extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@junichinomura4810]

thank you omar for this kind of video I want more about this great explanation and examples 🙏👍

[@tonygreenwoodN10]

Really interesting and very useful, thank you. I'm the family member who gets the call just before a gathering - "Could you bring your camera? You always do such nice shots..." No pressure 😁 - and Flashbenders are great!!!

[@REVELATIONSIXEIGHT]

Great information. Thanks for those important details.

[@andreitelenkov5775]

Bounce card with flash head always up. ISO 800, 1/250, f/3.5. Will cover all the angles/positions in such setting. Control flash power by thumb, usually from 4 to 7. If window is behind, reduce to 4, or just turn the flash the other way. That's how I do candles, no time to change settings, except bring ISO to 3200, and point the flash to the floor and back, so it wouldn't count in the shot :) Good topic!

[@kevinl1492]

Great video. That is a very challenging venue and I would be doing a bunch of test shots to find out what works (while trying not to look worried!). But now I know!

[@i18nGuy]

Great tips for analysis and solutions, thanks

[@OlivierAnsaldi]

Thank you Omar. I'd love to see more videos explaining your thought process/"seeing the world through Omar's photographic Iron Man helmet"!

[@rvanstar]

Shooting corporate events here in Sydney, Australia with 30 years of experience overall - agree with all recommendations except Color checker on the job. My computer display is color corrected so can judge from that. Keep in mind that clients displays / cell phones are what they will be seeing. Well done Omar!

[@jumpingjohn280459]

A really helpful video Omar, thanks so much. Throughout 2023 I’m working on a project where I’m going to be photographing religious and other significant events across a range of cultures that reflect the multi-cultural city I live in. This means I’ll be working in all sorts of venues from people’s homes to temples, churches, theatres, outdoor, etc. so your video could not have come at a better time. I’m doing some practice shoots at the moment and I’ll be taking your advice on board.😊

[@d.williams2568]

yep, this is definitely one of Omar's more helpful vids, and maybe one of the most informative "Event Photography" tutorials i have seen on Y/T in quite a while!... This video is all about "getting the work done"!...not about creating "art" or making "beautiful pictures with my (insert preferred camera brand here...) and these are my settings"...but actual information of a "working photographer" in the client's environment The only other "event photographer" to have explained things well and given his "thought processes" like this is Jeff Cable (B and H channel mostly...) and he is admittedly OCD so he explains "too much" and it's overload... Good one Omar and more like this information please...👍🤑

[@what.i.see.photography7077]

Great subject and video, thank you 🙏🙏

[@LuisSerrano-oy2zg]

Great great video. Thank you so much. Keep up

[@gustavolopez5403]

"Iron Man"... yes, it's exactly what I feel when getting into a venue!

[@giuliomarunti2093]

Like everyone said before: great and super useful video! But the most pleasant thing is that seems like you're receiving advices from a very qualified friend :)

[@paulasimson4939]

So helpful, Omar.

[@sweet4nice2003]

Omar this was very valuable info...Am sure many of us beginners can attest event photography know how how scary it can be, especially when situations suddenly change!....Ironman and Football! Got it lol

[@user-mw4zr3re9o]

I’d love to watch a color checker video of yours if you have one, the colors and white balance in your photos look spot on.

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

Great video Omar! I had a flashback of me getting killed on the field. Fun times playing as quarterback lol

[@matrixphotodesign]

Thanks for the Tips!!!!!

[@lacayoj]

Freaking great video Omar!

[@RandyPollock]

That's what I lack is the skill of Omar to make changes on the fly with lighting, I'm not an event photographer, but still would like to be able to make these decisions as he showed in the video with the confidence that I can still get the shot...very good video this week.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Mist filter, soft grad filter … I would, and consider using a CPL filter in that situation, because you can pilot to reduce that background white light really well without it affecting what the people in the photo look like it just kind of affects the background light. I’ve often shot events weddings and I’ve used my CPL filter and I’ve even used a soft grade filter if there is too much light in the background and you can’t knock it down enough. Don’t be scared to put a filter on your camera.

[@deanzat]

Through the pandemic my main client was holding their events outdoors under giant tents, so there was backlight in every direction and poles and ropes everywhere. The most recent event was back indoors, in a building with bright yellow walls and a dark ceiling. It's always something.

[@CoveringFish]

Book marking this and coming back to this because I have a difficult shoot in a couple weeks

[@lensbrew]

That was very informative Omar! I will do the Ironman HUD in every room I enter, it should be a good training. I was wondering if you’d follow up this video with post processing. Specifically what changes to the light you’d make on the subject, foreground and background. Curious to learn the borderline between enhancing and faking post processing events. Thanks 🫶🏽

[@darrylbrooks3361]

Great video. I hate events because... everything you said. But, I'll work on it. Thanks

[@o.aldenproductions.9858]

Sweet!

[@juliettemansour]

I hate flash so much, which is why I don't call myself an event photographer anymore - well, not full-time, anyway. You have a great mindset though and yes, you have to be nimble. Thanks for sharing this. It's inspiring me to pick up more gigs and dust off my lights.

[@deroux]

I also keep the flash off the camera and keep it handheld so I can sculpt the light giving me far more control. It's more work to shoot with one hand on the camera and one on the flash but the control and results are worth it in my mind.

[@JEDINITE30]

Actually, when bouncing light, it explodes in all directions when it hits a surface. So on a dome-shaped ceiling, light will still hit the subject. It doesn't veer off in one specific direction as you mentioned.

[@nakleh]

I gotta be honest- when I started watching your videos, I thought to myself “I don’t think I like this guy”.. Well, I was wrong! I’ve been enjoying your videos very much. Kudos! Keep up the good work.

[@ogonzilla]

Glad I turned it around 😅

[@nakleh]

@@ogonzilla ayyyyy we're NEW YAWKERS, we tell it like it is!

[@howardchud9097]

Most of life is about being flexible and adjusting on the run.

[@trevordouglas9853]

Hi Omar, Thank you for your informative videos. I have been a Fujifilm user for the past 10 years and have recently inherited a secondhand Sony A1. Seeing me with this beast attracted the interest of a friend that has asked me to photograph their 100 anniversary of their golf club. I was wondering if you could give me some tips please on the metering and focus settings you use for your interior shots please. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@mrhelichopper]

Thanks Omar, really interesting and enlightening to have you explain your thought process as a professional. Another great video, thanks for all your work, regards from Denmark :-)

[@94slingshot]

I’m wondering when bouncing a strobe straight up became a thing. Back in my freelance days, we bounced our Vivatar 283’s or Sunpaks at 75° with a bounce cards. Still with goofy isn’t much help.

[@aaronza7218]

Man, I am scared of event photography. However, with all these info and tips you're sharing, you are building my confidence. Thank you, Omar!

[@ogonzilla]

Happy to help!

[@sew_gal7340]

Why do the colors in your photos so amazing? Please post a tutorial!

[@dwbonbon3370]

Brilliant video Omar. If I has my own you tube channel, I'd be going why didn't I think of that as a video idea. That's why we love you so much

[@SebastienHinse]

Very insightful, Omar. I agree with others here, events photography is all about adaptability!

[@mishasoco7443]

Hey Omar! I have watched many of your videos and thank you for it helps me a lot. But just a question, are you related to Mr. Benjie Paras? He is a famous basketball player / comedian / actor from Philippines he looks like you, he even talk and move just like you😂😂

[@frankseophotos9633]

These are real professional tips! Thank you!

[@ogonzilla]

You're so welcome!

[@reyjoson7895]

One of my worst experience was shooting in a venue with smoke machines. It’s indoors, low light. Every time I shoot with flash, the smoke covers the entire photo 😅

[@angelogiannoutsos2392]

Random question, do you use TTL or M mode when using your flash in location?

[@helencogan2187]

This was EXCELLENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@ogonzilla]

You are so welcome!

[@charanjeetsingh4476]

Hi Omar will you help me to choose octagon softbox 80cm 90cm or 120cm for potrait and speedlight is v860 iii

[@davemil716]

I'm curious about the light you setup in the background. The question is, how is it powered? Is it plugged in to a A-C outlet? Or is it battery powered? Thanks, this was a really interesting video!

[@ogonzilla]

Wireless and controlled by the on camera flash

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

I’ve done a couple paid events, and it is truly difficult to do, especially if you don’t have early access to pre-plan your shoots, OR, the location and venue setup is just plain terrible.

[@matthiasthemann]

Great explained, thank you 😊

[@ogonzilla]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-mw4zr3re9o]

Do you ever lead people to a certain spot in a venue to take a photo? Corporate event or an event without a lot of action?

[@nightjedi1026]

Hi Omar fantastic video. Very helpful

[@drazenzuvela1647]

What if bouncing surfaces are not white or gray, then rather light green, pink , red, blue or any other "lovely" possible colors?😄

[@nasibibnshah]

Thank you Omar

[@sew_gal7340]

I have never watched iron man or football so I will have to think up my own analogies lol

[@RichardBO9]

Very helpful video

[@CarlosHernandez-kg8py]

Futbol is the number one sport in the world. Most watched than Football. We are not the only one in this world.

[@ogonzilla]

Google “sarcasm”

[@tedjensen8841]

What happens when the sun goes down in that venue?

[@ogonzilla]

Easier. Higher iso. Flash

[@renediazphotography3273]

Thanks!

[@ogonzilla]

Finally replying. :). Thank you so much for the support!!! Big hugs.

[@trueatfalse]

The funny thing is that nobody in the world except US americans watches that weird football where you don't use your feet, but go for soccer (aka that other football nobody watches) instead 😅💜

[@tedk2814]

What a great instructional video ! To know your thought process is valuable and has given me much to think about. I'm a sport photographer for local high schools and I make a plan before even entering the stadium of shots I Need to get and shots I'd like to get etc. so thanks so much. PS: toward the end of the event you showed a photo of an older gentleman and said he was "well lit". Did you mean by direct light or.......... ha ha.

[@ogonzilla]

haha...maybe both.

[@barclayjb]

You are a genius.

[@steveness1570]

Aha. 😂

[@frank1022]

Audible... Can I call an Omar?!? 🥴

[@iTedTube]

How, for the first time I don't agree with you, because of course real football is the one you play with feet 👍😅

[@ogonzilla]

😂