Morton Visuals has been providing professional convention photography for conferences, annual meetings, and large-scale conventions since 2009. Starting in San Diego, we’ve covered conventions and conferences in major cities nationwide. We expanded to Dallas in 2015 and to the Inland Northwest (including Spokane and Coeur d’Alene) in 2021. Many of our clients have become repeat clients, booking us as their event photographer year after year. This provides them with consistency in style, a photographer who is familiar with their VIPs and key personnel, and the flow of their events. (We love walking in to a venue and having an organization’s leaders recognize us and welcome us!) All of this makes our event photography more effective for their social media, promoting of next year’s event, and ongoing marketing.
All images Copyright William Morton.
Corporate Event Photography
We pride ourselves on professionalism, and our main focus is on photography for corporate communications. As a matter of face we’ve studied marketing (William Morton earned an MBA degree) and we know how certain types of photos can benefit a campaign, product, or company. We have all the experience, (redundant, top-of-the-line) equipment, and confidence necessary to call ourselves experts in the field of corporate event photography. Because of this, we are well-suited to document your event.
Morton Visuals excels at capturing key moments. We know how to blend into the background as well as capturing images discreetly, or we can mix in with the festivities and encourage the fun.
We’ve covered academic conferences and medical conferences, and we’ve worked with trade organizations and trade shows for their annual meetings and conventions. Learn more about the differences between conventions, conferences and trade shows from industry-leading event management company Cvent. Or continue reviewing the information below.
Event Photography Services
Morton Visuals offers three primary event photography services for conferences and conventions. Additionally, we also offer a bonus service for your sponsors and exhibitors.
Convention Photography – Documentary Coverage
Firstly, we cover all major events. This includes things like breakout sessions, trade shows and exhibits, sponsor/attendee engagement, speakers and presenters, and more. Furthermore, our coverage is extensive and varied, so our photography is usually used for social media throughout the event as well as for marketing next year’s event. This is what most think of when they imagine convention photography or conference photography. For example, view the slideshow at the top of the page.
Conference Headshots
Secondly, if we are not providing extensive documentary coverage – for example, if an organization has an in-house person covering that – we are often hired to provide professional conference headshots. This is undeniably a huge value-added benefit for attendees. As a matter of fact, we have found this to be incredibly popular over the last few years. Because of this we even have a new blog article describing how to offer headshots to your guests. (Tip: offer it as an additional promotion opportunity for an event sponsor!)
Video Interviews and Testimonials
Morton Visuals has begun to offer recording short interviews with key players in your organization. Additionally we can capture testimonials from your guests, where they describe what they like best about your event (and why it’s so valuable to attend). Without a doubt these clips can provide a great highlight reel at your event’s closing. But more importantly they can provide social media content afterwards, and great promotional material for marketing next year’s event!
Trade Show Booth Photography
As a bonus, we are also able to offer your sponsors and vendors professional exhibit photography highlighting their (often very expensive) displays. Since vendors hire us directly for that, it doesn’t cost the event organizers anything. They just need to let their exhibitors know that it’s an option.
Key Benefits of Morton Visuals’ Event Photography
Our professional event photography aims not only to recap your major event, but also to market your company or organization throughout the year. Events provide great opportunities to capture current team photos for websites, quality images to advertise the event for the following year, social media content, and more. The possibilities are truly endless—all from one event! That’s why so many companies book us for their events year after year.
Convention Photography vs Conference Photography
Convention Photography
Conventions tend to be larger events with attendees who represent different companies or groups. The focus is often on building business and trade. Some conventions may include trade shows or exhibit halls, with sponsors showcasing their latest products and services.
Conventions also typically include a wider array of events, such as off-site events that take advantage of the local attractions. After-hours activities are usually plentiful. Additionally, sponsors often contribute huge sums for the opportunity to be showcased.
Attendance is usually easy to project — and that attendance is often boosted by the marketing images of the previous year’s event. Make sure your event photography attracts the most participation from sponsors and attendees alike. And you can do this by choosing an established, professional convention photographer like William Morton and Morton Visuals.
Capturing Speakers on Stage
Most conventions and conferences have featured keynote speakers. Sometimes they are members of the organization. But more likely they are outside speakers delivering a keynote to reinforce company/organization values. Capturing flattering images of these people is critical. And this is especially true of those highly paid speakers in whom the event planners have invested a lot of money.
Convention photography highlights these VIPs, and they are extremely helpful in promoting subsequent events.
Morton Visuals always focuses on these key people, whether they are well-known celebrities or the head of the company. Thankfully, William’s timing has become well-tuned. That’s helpful, as he is usually able to capture every smile and intense expression. Shooting convention photography from every angle – even from backstage – provides a wide range of images for social media as well as promotional use.
Engagement and Interaction in Convention Photography
Meeting planners seem to have a few primary goals when planning an event. They want educational and inspiring presentations, engagement, interaction, and promotion. All of this translates to value for attendees. For example, see this handshake between a former First Lady of the United States and a conference VIP. This is not only treasured by the VIP, but the opportunity is highly appealing to potential future attendees.
Sponsors want the opportunity to promote, usually in the form of an accompanying trade show or exhibit hall. They really love to see their representatives engaging with attendees. From our experience this is consistent for every organization, from academic to MLM companies. And of course Morton Visuals loves to capture that interaction in convention photography.
Meeting planners love to be able to show sponsors that attendees were engaging with them!
Conference Photography
Conferences typically focus on education and the exchange of information. These are popular with academic, medical, and trade organizations. That is because they usually have more presentation-oriented activities, and are a bit smaller than conventions. Some activities can include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, and large general sessions designed to inform and educate.
Budgets are often smaller for conferences, as you may not have as many sponsors investing for the opportunity to market their wares. However, that’s okay — we likely have an event photography package to suit your needs, and can work with you to customize it.
Conference photography is extremely important when trying to get sponsors and potential attendees interested. So show them how much fun, learning, and networking your event provides!
Convention Photography Experience
Aside from major convention centers, we’ve worked numerous other venues around major cities. We are seasoned travelers who have worked many types of events in many different settings. And we may even have experience and connections at the very venue in which you plan to hold your event.
Event Venues We’ve Worked
See a listing of some of the many event venues and cities in which we have provided event photography over the last few years. These include:
- San Diego Convention Center ✪
- Los Angeles Convention Center ✪
- Anaheim Convention Center ✪
- Palm Springs Convention Center ✪
- Sacramento Convention Center
- Las Vegas Convention Center
- Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (Dallas) ✪
- Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center (San Antonio) ✪
- George R. Brown Convention Center (Houston)
- Gaylord Opryland (Nashville) ✪
- Music City Center (Nashville) ✪
- Gaylord Texan (Dallas) ✪
- Gaylord National Harbor (Washington D.C.) ✪
✪ indicates that we’ve worked this location multiple times
Event Photography References
Review some testimonials and recommendations for Morton Visuals from our past convention and conference photography clients. Here are just a few of our favorite quotes:
- “He was very easy to work with, was on time for all sessions and delivered the photos when promised.”
- “…reliable, professional and very consistent in a variety of photographic situations. “
- “Most important is his integrity – he does what he says he is going to do.”
- “He has a unique ability to capture just the right moment.”
You can see a full page of references and testimonials for Morton Visuals.
Helpful Tips for Event Planners (How to Get Better Convention Photography or Event Photography)
We regularly post helpful articles in our blog to support your event’s success. Here are a few you may appreciate:
- The Importance of Event Lighting – We can help you optimize your attendees’ visual experience.
- What Does It Take To Capture Event Photography – We use the latest equipment, with redundancy.
- (Making the) Best Use of Your Event Photographer – we provide more value by going the extra mile.
- Conference Headshots – An increasingly popular added benefit at your event
We also recommend working with the Visitors and Convention Bureaus in your destination city. They often have a listing of experienced professionals who can help you in all aspects of your event. We are proud partners of VisitDallas and VisitSpokane.
Do you have an event coming up that could benefit from corporate event photography? Do you have a Request for Proposal (RFP) for event photography? If so, please contact us to see how we can help you!