Photographing sponsors at a motorsport event

[kybo]

Hi all,

After some much valued help and thought of all you guys (and gals) on here first, as you've been kind in the past...

I'm shooting an event for Mission Motorsport (13th July) and immediately assumed they'd be racing. Turns out the event is sponsoring Mission Motorsport, to promote awareness; they are not racing.

I am still very much looking forward to this as it's out my comfort zone (having never done this before), I still get to see some racing and, above all, interact with guys who are so awe-inspiring.

I imagine it's mainly gonna be in hospitality suites, with sponsors and clients, so what kind of shots should I be after? What are the staple 'bread and butter' shots and how can I achieve more out of the ordinary, un-staged, shots?

Can anyone post any examples of what I should aim for?

I really want to do my best for this organisation, and there's no way I'm backing out, so any help appreciated.

Many, many thanks,

Scott

[Simpo Two]

Ask the client what they want - would be my first thought.

[kybo]

Simpo Two said:

Ask the client what they want - would be my first thought.

LOL @Simpo

Appreciate that; being told what they want and executing it are two different things - it's likely to be shots of the forces personnel with sponsors/clients but how best to capture that is my question? What tricks can I employ so it's not a simple 'oh, here's two people shaking hands' shot. What can be done to 'jazz' it up a bit?

it's always nice to have ideas in mind prior to the event, how to mix it up and make things interesting, so to speak.

Thanks,
Scott

[Turn7]

I think I would go with the flow and try the candid approach as well as "banker" shots....

[kybo]

Turn7 said:

...as well as "banker" shots....

^^^ What are these, exactly - that's the million dollar Q...

Thx,
Scott

[Turn7]

Not easy to explain, but the kind of shot that a sponsor can use to help sell product, if that makes sense.

[kybo]

Turn7 said:

Not easy to explain, but the kind of shot that a sponsor can use to help sell product, if that makes sense.

So, I'm thinking corporate branding in background, vehicle decals visible, find out who the influential clients are, etc.?

Might try and get them down in the garages, by the cars - more my cuppa, that!!

Thx,
Scott

[Simpo Two]

I guess it's called 'reportage' - ie wing it on the day using your skill and judgement!

ie so apart from the 'two blokes shaking hands' set-up, you have to anticipate the likely action, place yourself in the best position to capture it if and when it happens; have your camera settings right as you might only get one chance.

But I'd still try to nail your client down to certain 'must have' shots to avoid disappointment. They may assume you will photograph something when in fact it's not obvious to you. They may say before 'Oh just wander about and do your stuff' when in fact if you don't get a photo of George they will be upset.

Also decide how much is set up, how much reportage. Can you direct people?

[kybo]

Simpo Two said:

Can you direct people?

I feel uneasy telling people what to do, but I have assisted with group/staged shots at weddings before, so I ought to approach it a bit like that, I suppose.

I'll ask them for a brief, I think, which I hope will cover their must-haves.

It may turn out to be a fairly informal affair and I'm reading too much into it [I usually do].

I suppose the question now changes to 'direct them to do what?'

Cheers
S

[Simpo Two]

kybo said:

I suppose the question now changes to 'direct them to do what?'

The shot you had in mind. This is what I do at every wedding so it's instinctive to me... OK yours is not a wedding but it's a group of generally happy people interacting and doing random things. First you have to decide how interactive you're going to be. You can either stay in the background and work almost unseen, or you can mingle a bit to break the ice (so they know what the strange geezer with the camera is there for), or if you think that, for example, a photo of three of them in front of the car would look nice, and they're in the right mood, you can suggest it and then photograph it. Sometimes they will see you and automatically arrange themselves; sometimes you can tell they're not interested so stay further away. Whatever you decide, be confident.

[kybo]

Simpo Two said:

The shot you had in mind. This is what I do at every wedding so it's instinctive to me... OK yours is not a wedding but it's a group of generally happy people interacting and doing random things. First you have to decide how interactive you're going to be. You can either stay in the background and work almost unseen, or you can mingle a bit to break the ice (so they know what the strange geezer with the camera is there for), or if you think that, for example, a photo of three of them in front of the car would look nice, and they're in the right mood, you can suggest it and then photograph it. Sometimes they will see you and automatically arrange themselves; sometimes you can tell they're not interested so stay further away. Whatever you decide, be confident.

Thanks John,

Glad you came onboard this thread - always appreciate your straight talking.

I'll be requesting a brief later today, as I don't even have any times yet, so I'll pop the 'must-haves' question in there, too.

'Confidence' - always seems low, particularly at the start of the day, but seems to get better as the day goes on. Wish I had more!!

Thanks again,
Scott

[Simpo Two]

kybo said:

'Confidence' - always seems low, particularly at the start of the day, but seems to get better as the day goes on. Wish I had more!!

Glad my humble musings have been useful! You can only plan so much; after all, at the start of the Wimbledon final Murray didn't know where he was going to hit the ball on the first point of the 18th game, but worked it out when he got there.

Now all you have to do is get past the bad dreams - for example, the one where you arrive at the circuit and find that all your batteries are flat

[kybo]

Simpo Two said:

Now all you have to do is get past the bad dreams - for example, the one where you arrive at the circuit and find that all your batteries are flat

That's reminded me - mine are almost flat!!! And I haven't been able to find the charger (just moved house - boxes, chaos, help!!)

Will be rummaging tonight!!

[geeks]

The guys at Mission are a great bunch just talk to them on the day when you arrive or before hand and get a feel for what they are after they will fill you in if you ask!

[PGD5]

Yeah I've worked with the Mission Motorsport bunch a few times at events, they are indeed a great bunch of people. They will be able to tell you what they are looking for, and may well arrange group shots themselves anyway. As they did here at Mallory Park with Dan Welsh:


Mission Motorsport by PGDesigns.co.uk, on Flickr

[kybo]

Cheers Phil, thanks for that.

I'm giving Rachel a ring tonight actually, to discuss what's happening on the day.

Thanks,
Scott

[geeks]

PGD5 said:

Yeah I've worked with the Mission Motorsport bunch a few times at events, they are indeed a great bunch of people. They will be able to tell you what they are looking for, and may well arrange group shots themselves anyway. As they did here at Mallory Park with Dan Welsh:


Mission Motorsport by PGDesigns.co.uk, on Flickr

Was that PPC in the park?

[kybo]

geeks said:

Was that PPC in the park?

[geeks]

kybo said:

Ah cracking day the guys there were great. Did you see the yellow compact cup car being built?

[PGD5]

It was indeed, I put a load of pics from the day on my FB page (just had to remind myself where they were!)