A road race is a significant event that requires careful planning and execution. One of the essential elements of any marathon, triathlon, 5k, or any other race is photography. Photographs capture the excitement, emotion, and energy of the event, and can be used for marketing, social media, and personal mementos. Many races consider using professional photographers but fail to inquire about their experience specifically in sports photography, sports photography is a different beast, and marathon photography is completely different than shooting many team sports. Finding the right photography company to photograph your marathon can be a daunting task, but let us break down some important factors to consider when hiring a photography company to photograph your marathon:
Experience
When looking for a photography company, look for a company that has experience shooting marathons and other endurance events. Shooting a marathon requires specialized skills and knowledge of how to capture the action, emotions, and energy of the event. A photography company with experience in shooting marathons can anticipate the moments and angles that will make for the most impactful images and know exactly how to feature your race. You want to make sure that the photos participants walk away with look materially different than another race they may participate in next year.
Quality
When it comes to photography, quality is king. Make sure the photography company you hire produces high-quality photos that are well-composed, properly exposed, and in focus. Check out the company's portfolio to get an idea of the quality of their work. Make sure that the company's style and approach match your expectations for the images you want to capture. Make sure to see how that compares with the specific team that will be coming onsite to photograph your event. Just because the national sales rep shows you their best work, doesn't mean that's who's going to show up at your race.
Services
Consider the services that the photography company offers. Do they offer action photos, finish line photos, team photos, or other types of photography? Do they offer photo packages or digital downloads? Make sure the company you choose offers the services that you need to capture the images you want.
Tagging & Turnaround
Make sure to ask about what kind of turnaround time the company offers on their photos. The usual within the industry is 3-5 days, however, companies like Flashframe can turn photos around in as little as 12 hours and can have a majority up within just a few hours of the race. With our new service offerings, we can now upload photos directly from the race course, ensuring participants can search for their photos as they cross the finish line.
Reputation
Look for a company with a good reputation. Read reviews from other event organizers and participants to get an idea of their experience working with the company. Check the company's website and social media pages to see if they have any testimonials from previous clients. Ensure that they have a good reputation working and paying their photographers. Many companies have fallen on hard times in the past few years, and many of the best photographers in the country refuse to work for specific companies.
Pricing
Photography services can vary widely in price. Make sure to compare pricing between several different companies to ensure that you're getting a fair deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best value. As mentioned above, because so many companies have treated their photographers poorly, they've cut the quality of their photographers. Make sure to factor in any additional costs such as travel expenses, image editing, and photo printing.
Availability
Make sure the photography company is available on the date of your marathon. You don't want to book a company only to find out later that they're not available on the day of your event. Make sure to book early, as photography companies can book up quickly during peak event seasons. Also, ensure that the company has experience photographing in your specific area. Photographers are typically subcontracted out, and if the company doesn't have a history of operating in your location, they might not be working with experienced people.
Insurance
Make sure the photography company has insurance. It's essential to work with a company that carries liability and equipment insurance. This protects both you and the photography company in case of any accidents or mishaps during the event.
In conclusion, hiring the right photography company for your marathon is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. By considering these factors, you can find a photography company that will deliver high-quality photos of your marathon and capture the excitement and energy of the event. Remember to do your research, compare prices, and choose a company that matches your vision for the images you want to capture.
While Flashframe offers software that many photographers have come to depend on for their race photography, Flashframe can also help photograph your race through our extensive network of photographers and years of expertise. We've photographed some of the largest races within the United States such as Chicago's Bike the Drive with more than 25,000 participants, we also have an experienced photography team with decades of experience and know where to look when selecting photography locations to best feature your race. Don't hesitate to reach out to our support team at races@flashframe.io and we can help set you up for photography success at your next event.