A cocktail party is a great event to get to know people, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Some smart motivational speaker said something like this: “people do business with people they know, like, and trust.” and a cocktail party provides an opportunity to know and like someone.
As a photographer, I find it to be a very welcoming and friendly environment to work in. People are not in a hurry to run off to some other place, they are in a good mood and they want to help you succeed because they would love to see themselves, later on, went the images get to be passed around.
Many photographers suggest taking candid photos from the distance, in order not to interrupt a conversation.
I don’t agree with that train of thinking. I think that having an interaction with the photographer is part of the experience. Being approached by a photographer who asks you if they can take a photo of you, is fun. People like engaging with the photographer and even posing for several photos.
They might be some people who maybe don’t want their photo taken, and when the photographer approaches them, they have an opportunity to express their feelings.
Another fun thing is to take photos of the ambiance, of the food, of the drinks.
Something that can help is to tell the weighted to give you a few seconds to photograph them, with the food, while their trays are full. They, of course, would love to comply.
One final tip is to send photos to the venue owner and to the event organizer so that they can think of you whenever there are other events.
If you have a cocktail party (or any other kind of social event) in Montreal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.