The photography business has had to adapt to a lot of changes in the last few years, with the most significant being the rise of virtual events. Initially, virtual events were just a temporary alternative to in-person events, but they have become a permanent way for companies to engage, connect, and celebrate with their audiences. For photography studios, this has been a chance to diversify and expand their services to new markets without leaving their physical locations.
The Transition from Photography to Video Streaming
Custom virtual event services were a natural fit for traditional photography studios. They have the lighting, they have the controlled space, and they have the soundproofed rooms that are essential for any live stream, just as they are for a portrait photography session. The only variable depending on the schedule, is the use of the studio space.A studio that used to have fully booked product shoots every Tuesday morning might now have a corporate group running a hybrid annual general meeting from 9 to 1, and an afternoon headshot booking. The equipment gets used to the switch, but the principles remain the same. Good light is necessary, a clean background is a must, and the person behind the camera has to know what they’re doing.
What Really Changed
The kit has obviously improved. Studios that used to get by with a couple of decent cameras and a few reflectors now have to invest in streaming technology, several monitors, and decent microphones, to name a few. Green screens are no longer an uncommon, specialized piece of kit, as they allow clients to present from a remote location without really being one.
The most significant changes, however, are in the ways that studio owners have started to approach their business. Instead of being purely reactive and waiting for clients to book specific shoots, many have begun to be more proactive in providing fully packaged services. Launching a product online? The studio can film it, create the graphics, set up a streaming platform, and have a technician manage everything live, while you present.
The Milton Keynes Example
The Milton Keynes example illustrates the shift perfectly. The town has always had a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. There are many businesses that require professional visual content and these companies would book studios for photography and videography separately and hire different suppliers for events.
Smart studio owners are catching on to this trend and are offering these services under one roof. A company can shoot training videos, photograph products for website, and conduct quarterly town hall meetings in one location.
These companies value time, and money and prefer to partner with service providers that are familiar with their brand and requirements.
What Clients Actually Want
The companies that are closing these deals are not after gimmicks. They value tech reliability, decent quality service and a professional who can troubleshoot and solve problems in the event that something malfunctions with the equipment (which always does). A photography studio that has been operating for years understands that and has the relationship and trust to prove it.
Unlike complicated Hollywood productions, most virtual events, like sales teams presenting to clients, training exercises, product launches, and annual general meetings, need little more than good lighting, quality microphones, and a stable internet connection.
The Technical Side Made Simple
Keeping the technical jargon to a minimum makes things easier for the clients too. No one cares about bitrates and frame rates. They just want to know their CEO will be looking good on camera and that PowerPoint slides won’t get lost during the presentation. A good studio setup will include a simple control system that lets someone seamlessly change camera angles, bring up graphics, and control the stream without needing an IT degree.
Instead of looking like someone’s spare room with a bookshelf in the background, a studio with a clean, professional virtual events background, a few branded elements, and a makeshift comfortable presenting area will be polished and professional.
Where This Leaves Traditional Photography
What is particularly interesting is that traditional photography is still operational. These photography studios are integrating traditional photography as part of different offerings. For example, during live events that are photographed, the photographer is also offering instant studio headshots. For every creative composite photo studio that uses a green screen for virtual photography, Monitors and virtual backgrounds replace traditional studio photography.
Successful studios are not leaving traditional photography behind because it is still vital. Professional photography is still necessary for virtual events because one needs to understand how to capture images that have good composition and lighting to flatter a subject. It is simply the same knowledge applied to a different medium.
Looking Forward
Virtual events are not a fading trend. Even with the recent return to in-person events, the hybrid model has not gone away because it is effective. It allows companies to engage a wider audience without the logistical headache of getting everyone in the same room. For photography studios, this means the market has more than shifted, it has in fact grown.
The successful companies anticipated these trends and invested in the most advanced equipment while continuing to hone their primary craft. They are not attempting to become complete audiovisual production companies, but they are not stuck in 2019, under the delusion that the status quo remains. There is a balanced approach that succeeds, and that is where the majority of the potential resides.