Professional Photography for Your Business in Chicago

After spending countless hours planning an event, there is nothing more satisfying than witnessing its success. In a perfect world, every attendee would connect with other attendees and participate in activities.

There is an endless amount of proactive, easy-to-implement steps you can take to increase attendee engagement at your events. Here are some of them.

Build anticipation

Attendee engagement doesn’t necessarily start at the event itself. In fact, you should engage your audience before they even step foot in your venue. This will not only guarantee more attendees, but people will be more excited to attend.

Social media is one of the best avenues to promote your event. Create a unique hashtag and use it every time you post an update about your event. With the right strategy, you’ll have people talking about your event and your engagement will skyrocket. Publishing a blog post is also a great way to create pre-event buzz or stream a video from last year’s event.

Games

Games are a great way to entertain and energize attendees who are bored and drained from listening to lectures and presentations. With the right execution and an interesting prize, you’ll get people to interact and participate in activities.

Make time for networking

A lot of people tend to feel overwhelmed or intimidated when attending a large event, especially when they don’t know anyone. Encourage your guests to meet someone new and network by dividing them into smaller groups. This can help break the initial awkwardness that tends to happen at large gatherings.

It is also a good idea to have breaks between speakers or a cocktail hour after the event to give people an opportunity to network and engage with one another.

Allow for Q&A opportunities

Provide attendees an opportunity to address their questions. You can gather questions from attendees and have the speaker answer these questions at the end of the presentation. Attendees will be able to learn more from the Q&A session. Plus, they’ll feel more appreciated and part of the event.

Chicago headshots

When preparing for an event, your ultimate goal is for the event to go off without a hitch and for the event to be wildly successful. But no matter how meticulously you have planned for your event, some things can still go wrong. Missteps could lead to a drained budget, alienated speakers, and annoyed audiences.

While some hiccups are to be expected in such events, learning from others’ mistakes can help prevent mishaps that may materialize later on.

Here are 4 mistakes to avoid when planning your corporate event in Chicago, along with some suggestions on how to mitigate them.

Waiting too long to start with the planning process

6 months may seem like a long way off. But with so many things you need to do, you’ll be surprised how quickly days pass by, and weeks turn into months in the blink of an eye.

The planning process should begin as soon as you get word out about the event. If you wait until the last minute, you may have a hard time finding a good venue, hiring vendors, and getting the word out about your event. The sooner you get organized, the better off you’re going to be. Especially if you want to hire a Chicago corporate event photographer, you will need to schedule in advance. 

Trying to do everything on your own

Planning an event is no easy task. No matter how small your event may be or how good of a planner you are, you can’t do everything on your own. If you do, you are likely to end up stressed, exhausted, and frustrated. Your event may also suffer.

Coordinating with multiple vendors and important event details is enough to keep you occupied. Learn to delegate. Let your team handle other aspects of the event such as promotions, registration, financial planning, and scheduling. Make sure every little detail of the event gets covered.

Not having a contingency plan

There will be some unexpected changes during the event, so make sure that you have a back-up plan. Anticipate the unexpected so you can ensure everything runs easily, amid the sudden changes.

Underestimating the size of the event

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all venue. Make sure you have a rough estimate of how many people are going to the event before booking a venue. Otherwise, you may end up having a spacious venue for too few guests or a small space for too many guests.

If you need someone to photograph or film your Chicago event, please contact me for your corporate event photography needs.

Chicago HRU UnConference

We’re all familiar with the adage “A picture is worth a thousand words,” right? There is so much truth to that statement.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an equal idiom for videos. Videos speak volumes through their imagery, soundtrack, and when applicable, narrative or storyline. These are all reasons why filming event conferences is so compelling.

When you have professionals following your event with the cameras rolling, they capture the “magic” that brings an event together. With all the time you’ve put into promoting your event through social media, email blasts, and so on, why not film the event to show people what your conference is all about next time?

My team and I recently had the opportunity to film the Chicago HRU UnConference in, you guessed it: Chicago.

As you’ll see from the final cut of the video, we captured a lot of great moments during the event. We set up an area to interview attendees, filmed segments with keynote speakers, and shot “B-roll footage” to catch attendees and presenters in their casual interactions.

The final product is a compelling, informative story that educates the viewer on what the HRU UnConference is all about.

Just as with any event, though, a successful video shoot is only as successful as the preparation and “behind the scenes” work that isn’t always visible in the final cut. For this shoot, we provided lighting to ensure clear, bright shots.

Additionally, each interviewee and presenter was not only set up with a body microphone, but we enlisted the aid of backup microphones, just in case one were to fail, we’d still ensure the highest quality sound for everyone.

Our professional staff knows how to stage shots, capture candid moments, and we do so in a way that doesn’t interfere or distract from your event.

Chicago corporate, event, portrait and editorial photographer

Conferences are often hubs and incubators of incredible learning experiences. But with the long hours of lectures and presentations, along with the copious amount of information presented, business conferences can quickly become tedious.  

Here are a few tips for hosting an engaging business conference.

tips-for-hosting-an-engaging-business-conference-chicago

Plan in advance

Planning a conference is no easy feat. As a host, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you! Knowing that, it is crucial that you get started as early as possible to give yourself time to finalize major contracts and handle any unexpected problems that may arise.

Consider the venue

Where you decide to host your conference is one of the most difficult decisions you will need to make. One of the reasons why most people think of business conferences as dull and boring is because of the choice of venue. Make your conference one to remember by choosing a venue that has quality (and close) entertainment options.

Consider holding your conference in an area with a lot of activity such as a hotel located close to restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. Another option is to time your conference with a local event like music festival. This will provide attendees and their spouses with something to do away from the conference.

Offer a program with variety

The main purpose of a conference is to share as much information as possible. Professionals sit for several hours and listen to lectures and presentations. A few hours into the conference, you may notice that the attendees are bored, sleepy and overwhelmed.

Don’t forget to engage them! Schedule a mix of formal speakers, small group workshops and free, unopposed networking time. It is also a good idea to set a task that is difficult, if not impossible, to complete alone. This fosters teamwork and collaboration.

Plan for fun

Plan for interactive networking opportunities to break break up the monotony of guest lecturers and speakers. Also, try to use technology to make things a bit more exciting for guests and to keep them interested. You can also suggest a few activities for downtime during the conference.

If you are considering hosting a business conference, please consider G. Thomas Ward Photography as your corporate event photography. It would be my pleasure to work with you!

Chicago corporate, event, portrait and editorial photographer

As you probably know, your company’s success rests in the hands of your people. As such, team building activities not only benefit your employees, but your entire organization.

As more and more businesses realize the benefits of team building activities, companies of all sizes are incorporating team building programs into their training curriculum.

Here are 4 ways team building activities can benefit your company.

Keep employees motivated

Team building activities helps your employees grow. These activities are designed to help them develop new skills, conquer fears, and increase their knowledge.

By organizing a team building activity, you display to your team how much you value and care for them. When employees feel that you care about their success, they are more likely to feel motivated and take pride in their job, which often results in increased quality output.

Improves communication

In a corporate environment, employees have to work with different people. Since we all have different personalities, some employees may have a hard time dealing with their co-workers. Team building activities can help in this department.

The fun nature of team building exercises can help foster better communication among people. Since this is usually done outside the office, employees can mingle and communicate with their colleagues casually. After this, they’ll develop better relationships with their co-workers create a more positive working environment.

Moreover, it is a great opportunity for employees in various departments that may not normally interact with one another to get a chance to spend time together and get to know each other.

Increases productivity

The collaborative nature of team building activities teaches staff how they can use their skills and abilities to get the tasks done quickly and efficiently. It also challenges them to work together in order to solve the problems that they are currently facing.

Help your team recharge

Most employees spend the entire day at their desks, working on several tasks. Add their personal concerns into the mix, and you run the risk of having a stressed-out, burned-out employee that isn’t as productive as they might otherwise be.

Employees often see team building activities as a nice break from work. This allows them to get their minds off of work, if even for just a few hours. Because of this, your staff will come back to the office with a relaxed mind and ready to take on new projects.

4 ways team building activities can benefit your company

why you should film your corporate event

If you have ever hosted a conference, you already know that they’re no walk in the park. There are so many moving parts: schedules to keep, speakers to book,  venues to reserve…and those are just the “big” things.

With all of the work that goes into putting on a successful conference, it would be a wasted opportunity not to capture the moments that people will talk about long after they leave. When you take the time to photograph and capture video at your conference or corporate event, you memorialize the fruits of your efforts. This media can then be used in future promotions for upcoming conferences or marketing collateral down the road.

why you should film your corporate event

Spread the love
What sessions and speakers are your “main attractions?” Focus on those first. A good videographer will work with you and ask these questions. If you know any of your speakers are especially engaging and energetic presenters, ask them ahead of time if they mind being filmed (hint: most love it!). Working with your speakers ahead of time ensures the film crew won’t throw them off during their session. Filming activities in between sessions is also a great way to find those organic interactions with people enjoying themselves.

 

Keep it Fresh

Have you ever had to sit through someone’s wedding video where Uncle Earl recorded everything without leaving his seat? For your sake, we hope not. This type of filming is more common than you think, but it doesn’t tell a great story.

Static video (think a video camera on a tripod in the back of the room) isn’t very exciting footage, so ask your videographer if multiple camera-operators are an option. When editing the material later, being able to combine clips from different vantage points during a presentation provides a nice viewing experience for your audience.

 

Testimonials

While people are at your conference, “in the thick of things,” you have a golden opportunity to get positive feedback and testimonials. Find those key stakeholders and ask them if they can do a 15-second testimonial for you. Someone you trust can even prompt positive reviews of your work and the event by asking leading questions. These sound bites can be used later on your website or as promotional material for another event.

 

Bring it all Together

By the time your conference comes to an end, you’re exhausted. For a few days, you kept a lot of people very busy and on their toes. While the event itself may be over, your videography team will be busy at work putting the video together in a comprehensive, cohesive, narrative.

The final output will be an invaluable marketing tool for you for years to come.

 

photographing your corporate event

When was the last time your company hosted an outing for all of your employees?  Do you do this annually? Quarterly? Not at all?

Company outings are a wonderful morale boost for offices. It demonstrates to employees that you care about them. When booking your next (or first!) get-together, consider hiring an experienced corporate photographer to join the fun. Documenting the day’s events serve as a great reminder of a fun day when everyone returns to the office.

 

Boost Morale

Allowing your employees to spend a day outside of the office for a company-sponsored event works wonders. First, they appreciate a day away from the office (who wouldn’t?). Second, many realize that the company cares about them as people, not just employees. Photographing those moments of joy and relaxation pay dividends later on. These photos can then be shared on the company intranet, reminding employees of the fun they had on the outing.

photographing your corporate event

Encourages Teamwork

Often, company outings have a theme, which are often suggested by employees themselves. A well-run outing may also create teams comprised of people from various departments, which fosters intradepartmental communication and interaction. The relationships formed in these teams (often through team-building problem solving and fun activities) through the course of a day strengthens the cohesion of your entire company. Breaking down communication barriers across departments is invaluable. Who knows…a new leader may rise from an unexpected person!

 

Build your Brand

The fact of the matter is this: successful company outings accomplish a lot of things. Employees who enjoyed themselves become your best marketers and recruiters. They’ll tell their family and friends about what a great time they had and share the photos with them.

Furthermore, the photographs that are taken at these outings make great marketing material. Candidates want to work somewhere where they feel valued. Rather than write about all of the great things your company does, show them off with photos!

 

Chicago corporate, event, portrait and editorial photographer

Chicago boasts some of the best attractions, cuisines and entertainment in the country. But since you don’t have all the time in the world, choosing between all of Chicago’s most popular spots, restaurants and nightlife can be quite a challenge.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled some of the best things that Chicago has to offer. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Chicago.

Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP)

The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) is an incredible collection, creation, and examination of contemporary photography and digital imaging. This is certainly a place not to miss in Chicago.

 

The Music Box Theater

For the last two decades, the Music Box Theatre has been the premiere venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city.

McFetridge Sports Center

From ice sports to tennis, the McFetridge Sports Center is open for events and activities for patrons of all ages.

Chicago Architecture Foundation

Most notably, The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise is worth every minute. This river cruise review more that 50 buildings along the Chicago river and is a must-attend for Chicagoans and tourists. The foundation also highlights other tours in Chicago and ways to get involved.

Garfield Park Conservatory

As one of the nation’s premier conservatories, Garfield Park Conservatory features 6 multi-facing greenhouses and two grand exhibit halls. It additionally offers beautiful location for special occasions in Chicago including weddings, reunions, business meetings and more.

Novelty Golf and Games

Novelty Golf and Games is a fun stop off with friends or family. It includes two 18 hole minature golf courses, batting cages, a game room and more!

Sidekicks Chicago

Sidekicks Chicago is a dive bar in Chicago that truly is a magical karaoke wonderland. You are sure to have a good time any weekend at Sidekicks.

Art Institute of Chicago

The world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago is considered as the 2nd largest museum in the country.  It houses more than 300,000 works of art, spanning 5,000 years in history. Spend a day here and marvel at one of the world’s finest collections of art.

Grant Park

Grant Park is often referred to as Chicago’s front yard. It is a large urban park that is spread across 319 acres of land. A trip to the Grant Park is a must for tourists since it is where you’ll find some of the most notable landmarks such as the Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain and Millennium Park.

Magnificent Mile

Magnificent Mile is the most famous section of Michigan Avenue. It is the largest shopping district in Chicago, featuring hundreds of retails stores, hotels, restaurants and museums. Here, you’ll find high-end designer shops. It is where the rich come to indulge.

Gene Siskel Film Center

Founded in 1972, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago has showcased cutting edge cinema to their frequent visitors. Programming includes annual film festivals that ‘celebrate diverse voices and international cultures, premieres of trailblazing work by today’s independent filmmakers, restorations and revivals of essential films from cinema history, and insightful, provocative discussions with filmmakers and media artists.’

360 Chicago  

Located in the heart of the windy city is the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. Perch atop the John Hancock Center, the 360 Chicago offers dining, sights and interactive tour above the city streets.

Wrigley Field

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in the major league. It is also home to the Chicago Cubs since 1920. If you are looking to watch a game during your visit, be sure to act fast. Tickets get sold out pretty fast.

things to do in chicago

unique ideas for corporate events in chicago

One of the biggest challenges of planning a corporate event is finding a way to set it apart from the usual business gatherings. If you are in need of ideas for your upcoming events in Chicago, we’ve got you covered.

In this blog post, we’ll give you a few ideas that you can use for client entertaining, group outings, team buildings and company events in Chicago. Here are a few.

Food stations

Ditch the formal dinner and spice up your event with food stations. With this set up, mini buffets or dining stations are scattered throughout the venue; thus, allowing guests to get up of their seats, enjoy great food and mingle with other guests. It is a popular approach for those who prefer a more casual, congenial atmosphere.

JOOJ Blow Dry

On November 9, 2015, JOOJ Blow Dry, a mobile salon company opened its shiny doors to the public. These chic air-stream trailers visits corporate offices, events sites and downtown streets to provide customers a convenient and accessible hair styling experience. Sleek blowouts, chic updos, bouncy curls and loose waves are all on the menu.

Treat your clients or employees to a luxurious and relaxing styling experience with this chic mobile salon.

Private painting parties

Add some fun to your team-building event or office party by holding a private painting party. Guests will leave with a one-of-a-kind creation and a new-found talent to explore.

Bottle and Bottega hosts private painting parties in their studio or at the location of your choice. They can accommodate a group of 10 to 100 persons.

unique ideas for corporate events in chicago

Chicago Chocolate Tours

Stroll through Chicago’s most decadent chocolatiers and dessert boutiques and sample something from each one. Here, you’ll be able to sample some of the city’s most delicious offerings such as truffles, warm donuts, pralines, cupcakes and chocolate drinks. This tour will not only provide a fun way to learn about the history of chocolates, it will also solve your clients’ and employees’ sweet cravings.

As always, should you find yourself planning a corporate event, don’t forget to consider G Thomas Ward Photography to document the occasion. With both extensive photography and video experience, your unique corporate event will be sure to be remembered.

Sick of a boring corporate event, check out these creative corporate event ideas

Corporate events can be quite boring. Most of these events have the same concepts and elements, making it difficult to differentiate one event from another. To really give your corporate event an edge, you need to think out of the box.

Today, it’s all about creating an event that will wow your guests. With that in mind, we picked out some fun and unique ideas that will entertain the masses and make your event a memorable one. Hopefully, these ideas will drive attendance to your next event.

Sick of a boring corporate event, check out these creative corporate event ideas

Shadow performers

As seen on several talent shows on TV, shadow shows will definitely impress audiences. This unique and exciting form of entertainment is ideal for product launches and other events. Some shows can be tailor-made for clients to make it more relevant to your event or company. This creates a memorable experience attendees will remember for a long time.

Circus

Hire an aerial performer on your next event. It is one way of introducing fun to a rather formal event. Very seldom do people get a chance to watch some talented acrobats while sipping their wine. You can also hire some jugglers, clowns and tumblers to walk around the event and entertain guests sporadically. If you do it right, guests and employees will be raving about it for the weeks to come.

Around the world theme

Take a trip around the world by naming each table after a country. Do a little research and try to incorporate some elements of different countries into the decor around the venue. Then, create a series of food stations offer a variety of cuisines and beverages served across the globe.

Aroma DJ

Smell triggers memories, they say. By hiring an aroma DJ, you can ensure that your guests remember your event. It is a unique act that combines tasteful aromas and upbeat club music to create a unique atmosphere. A happy, uplifted and energetic crowd is guaranteed within a few seconds.