Conference Headshot Photography | A Favorite Attendee Perk at Entrata Summit
One of my favorite things about photographing headshots at conferences is seeing people come back year after year!
I recently photographed attendee headshots at Entrata Summit for the third year in a row, and this year something happened that I absolutely loved.
People were expecting me!
I had attendees come up and tell me how excited they were to get another updated headshot. Some had visited me at the event every year, and others remembered getting their photos taken at previous summits.
I think that's pretty cool!
Entrata Summit is Entrata's annual client event, and it's a great example of how offering professional headshots can become something attendees actually look forward to.
Why Professional Headshots Are Such a Great Conference Perk
If you're planning a corporate conference or event, you're probably spending a lot of time thinking about what attendees will get out of the experience.
Great speakers, networking opportunities, entertainment, food, and all the other things that make people excited to attend.
But I think professional headshots are one of the most practical perks you can offer.
Pretty much everyone needs an updated headshot at some point!
Whether they're using it for LinkedIn, their company website, a speaker bio, or another professional opportunity, it's something attendees can take home and actually use.
And unlike a lot of conference giveaways, professional headshots aren't something that gets tossed in a drawer when someone gets home.
They're useful long after the event ends.
I've photographed hundreds of people at corporate events, and I love seeing how excited attendees get when they realize they can walk away with a new professional photo.
Especially when it's something they've been meaning to do for months!
Three Years of Headshots at Entrata Summit
This was my third year providing conference headshots at Entrata Summit.
The first two years, we photographed attendees indoors at the Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City.
This year, Entrata Summit moved to the Grand America Hotel, which gave us an opportunity to do something a little different.
And if you've ever been to the Grand America, you know how beautiful the courtyard is!
We decided to photograph this year's headshots outdoors.
I loved the change!
Not only did we get to take advantage of the beautiful setting and natural light, but it also gave returning attendees a completely different look from their previous headshots.
That's something I think is especially important when you're offering professional headshots at an annual conference.
You want people to have a reason to come back!
A different background, updated styling, or a slightly different approach to the portraits can make the experience feel new, even for someone who's participated before.
And judging by how many people were excited to see me again this year, I think it's working!
Making Conference Headshots Easy for Attendees
One of the biggest things to consider when offering headshots at a corporate event is how the experience fits into the conference schedule.
Attendees have sessions to get to, people to meet, and a whole lot happening throughout the day.
Nobody wants to spend half an hour waiting for a headshot.
That's why I approach conference headshots a little differently than a traditional individual portrait session.
The setup needs to be efficient, the process needs to be simple, and attendees need to feel comfortable getting in front of the camera.
I've worked with everything from smaller corporate gatherings to large-scale headshot events with hundreds of attendees.
And while I love taking the time to get to know people during individual branding sessions, conference headshots are all about creating a great experience in a short amount of time.
A little direction, a few adjustments, and we're ready to go!
The goal is to give attendees a professional image they're excited to use without taking them away from the rest of the conference.
A Great Event Deserves a Great Team
I also have to give some credit to the people behind Entrata Summit.
Vanessa Linigear and her team are absolute wizards at putting this event together.
They completely transformed the inside of the Grand America this year, and I swear I get FOMO every time I'm there. 😂
I'm usually spending most of my time photographing headshots, but I get to hear all about the event from the people who stop by.
And they're always talking about the speakers, experiences, and meet-and-greets.
This year they had SHAQ!
I mean, who doesn't want to meet Shaq?!
It's pretty fun to be part of an event where the attendees are genuinely excited about everything happening around them.
And I love that professional headshots get to be one small part of that experience.
Conference Headshot Photography That Travels
While Lake City Photos is based in Utah, I absolutely travel for corporate events and conference headshot photography!
If you're organizing a conference in Salt Lake City, Park City, Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Orlando, or somewhere else entirely, I'd love to talk about bringing professional headshots to your event.
I've worked with corporate teams, large organizations, and conference planners to photograph high volumes of people efficiently while still giving each person an image they're happy with.
Whether you're planning a client appreciation summit, an industry conference, a trade show, or a company-wide event, professional headshots are a great way to offer something attendees can actually use.
And if it's an annual event, even better!
We can plan different looks from year to year so returning attendees have a reason to update their photos again.
Bring Professional Headshots to Your Next Corporate Event
I'm so grateful Entrata has invited me back for three years of Summit headshots.
It's been so much fun watching this become something attendees recognize and look forward to.
And I'm already excited to see what Vanessa and her team come up with next year!
If you're looking for a professional conference headshot photographer in Utah or anywhere in the United States, I'd love to help you plan a setup that works for your event.
From smaller executive gatherings to large conferences with hundreds of attendees, we can make professional headshots a fun, easy, and useful part of the experience.
Contact Lake City Photos to discuss conference headshot photography.
