How Event Photography Can Be Used

My name is Shanna and I am the owner of Shanna Paxton Photography. I specialize in portrait and event photography. This year has been an amazing one, filled with many lessons, experiences, and growth. I have enjoyed working with each of my clients and there is a little something about each of them or the project I have done for them that I would love to share here. Here’s how event photography can be used.

Senior Services of South Sound:

This organization impresses me every time I visit. They are focused on providing a range of activities and programs that help empower and enrich people’s lives as they age. Anything from Zumba classes to meals on wheels, to services that specifically help with their pets. They offer so much and it gives me hope for the aging community.

They want to share all of that with the community. Whether that’s photos of classes or a photo campaign to help amplify their gala. Here are a few ways in which they used the images.

We will start with my favorite project, the Hollywood campaign for the gala. The gala would be Hollywood themed with a red carpet and, a really cool idea, sponsors were featured as stars on the way to the dining area just like you would see at the Hollywood walk of fame. They wanted photos of members of the community to be featured on the wall but shot in the golden age of Hollywood style. That meant beautiful costumes, textures, lights in fun positions, highlights in the eyes, contrast, black and white, and glamor lighting.

The photos were printed out and placed on the walls for every attendee to see.

When I photographed this project, there were about 10 people participating. They all sat around chatting with each other and when someone was modeling they cheered each other on. It was such a lovely time, watching everyone connect and support each other through each shot. It was a truly unique experience.

Other projects were covering programs and events such as meals on wheels preparation, lunch (apparently meatloaf day is the day to go), Zumba, mahjong, or the Brighter Days Program. These images would be used in campaigns to raise funds, including in newsletters, advertising all the above mentioned. This would be a lot of digital use but I did find the images being used in print as well. In print, the images were used in annual reports and programs advertising classes offered.

Something unique that would happen when I photographed people enjoying what Senior Services had to offer was we would hear their stories of the value of their time spent at the center. Everyone was kind and loved sharing their stories. I should also mention there is a center in Lacey and in downtown Olympia.

You can also see how photos were used in their annual report here.

This coming year, I will be helping with a campaign for the PALS Fund, Pet Assistance for Low-Income Seniors.

The Senior Services Annual Report featured many of the photos from the different events I photographed.

Harlequin Productions:

Harlequin Productions is located downtown at the State Theater. Their goal is to bring productions to the community that will give people the opportunity to as they say “feel more, think more, play more, and judge less through the mirror of real live theater”. I have been photographing for them for a few years now and with each play, I am moved with laughter or tears. I am amazed at the quality and high standards they strive for with each production. Please go check out their productions, they are all so thoughtfully planned and brought to the community, learn more here: https://harlequinproductions.org/2023-season/

I always get to photograph the dress rehearsals of each production. Well how event photography can be used in this case is to help market the show and is sent out to different local publications and sometimes get picked up by bigger publications like Seattle Met, congrats on making an impact in the theater world Harlequin Productions!

Other ways in which the images are used are for future publications, programs, newsletters, and even in poster designs.

What the finished product looked like before going on auction.

All the prints were finally signed yay!

Brennan helped carefully pack away the prints.

Something really special I helped with this year was items for their gala. Each dress rehearsal is different, but Hedwig and the Angry Inch was special. When I arrived the room felt different, it felt exciting and electric at the same time. Each crew member was so happy and couldn’t wait for it to start. I saw it three times, bought the family, and went with friends. It ran for about 6 weeks. Before each show, they had an opening band, so fun. This was such a popular show that I thought maybe I could do some prints and have the cast and crew sign them, then the prints could be auctioned off. The three metallic 20×30 signed prints made around $600.

The Christmas Carol photos from last year were used to make an original poster design this year. Photographs from Hedwig and the Angry Inch were used in several ways one including the season announcement at the gala. One of the opening band sessions from Hedwig was used to announce the Hundred Days play opening in May.

Harlequin Productions use the photos from dress rehearsals to advertise online and in print media. In this case they have used the images in programs, and more recently have started using the photos in poster designs.

Getting all the photos signed for the auction

Thurston Chamber of Commerce:

This organization is all about bringing businesses together and helping them grow. They provide several different programs and events that help support that. I highly recommend checking out this organization and

I had several opportunities to help photograph events and for their publication The Voice.

The photos have been used in ads, online and in print, newsletters, social media posts and more.

Thurston Chamber of Commerce uses photos from events and photo sessions in their publication The Voice. The images are used for articles and announcements.

Thurston Chamber of Commerce uses photos from events and photo sessions in their publication The Voice. The images are used for articles and announcements.

Thurston Chamber of Commerce uses photos from events and photo sessions in their publication The Voice. The images are used for articles and announcements.

Saint Martins University:

I had the great opportunity to photograph for the international department and the marketing department this year.

SMU welcomed their first female president this year, President Jennifer Bonds-Raacke. This required some headshots that would introduce her to the community. I loved how the university used the headshots to help amplify President Bonds-Raacke’s introduction to the community and university. The images were used in invites, banners, online, an article in The Voice, and much more.

I got to photograph the SMU gala which was amazing. The photos were used in press releases and sent to attendees as a thank-you.

There were several other events that were photographed throughout the year. The event I most looked forward to was International Education Week, several events were held, but my favorite was the Multicultural Festival, typically held during the middle of the week.

The international department also had its annual flag session at the beginning of the year.

SMU marketing department used the headshots in multiple ways. The image on the far right was from an event that was photographed.

Olympia Harbor Days with South Sound Maritime Museum:

Last year they had a Lite hybrid event. This year was their first year which was normal post-pandemic. It was fabulous! So many vendors, performances, and activities. It is a three-day free event that happens on Labor day weekend usually Friday to Sunday.

Photos from previous years were used to help create the program that had the agenda for each day and recognized sponsors. The photos were used online and in print media.

Olympia Harbor Days used their event photos from previous years to help promote the event this year. They used their photos in posters, agendas, and programs with regard to print media.

WFEA – Washington Festivals and Events Association

This is an organization that does its job very well. Bringing everyone that has anything to do with events together. Their conferences are invaluable, filled with helpful and specific information that attendees can take away with them to create an unforgettable event. There is so much they offer, you can check them out here.

How they have used event photography has been the most creative. Banners, member directories, slides at awards ceremonies, programs, and online and print media.

WFEA Washington Festivals and Events Association, using photos from a previous conference photographed to help amplify the current conference.

Check out their member directory below:

Thurston Economic Development Center (Thurston EDC):

This is one of the best organizations around for businesses and they truly care about every business owner, they want every one of them to succeed.

The EDC puts on different programs and events that help update the community on the state of the economy.

They also have a wonderful event every year called the Hootenanny which was created after covid. A fun party that recognizes businesses that have been persevered during the pandemic and it has continued. Learn more about Hotennay and Economic Courage Awards here

The EDC was able to use photos from the past in newsletters and advertisements to promote their future events. They also used the images in press releases and in print.