Why Cutting Corners on Event Photography Costs More Than You Think by Patric Pop, Corporate Photographer in Lausanne and Geneva
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE CLIENTS
Recently, I was invited to bid on a milestone anniversary event for a respected organization in Lausanne. I came highly recommended by someone on their committee who had already experienced the quality of my work and trusted the ability of delivering outstanding results.
The brief was clear:
A high-profile speaking guest with strict photography restrictions
A large and diverse audience
A need to capture atmosphere and story without disruption
I prepared a tailored proposal, shared relevant examples and kept my offer within their budget. Everything was set.
Until the committee cut corners … Only three days before the event, they chose a cheaper, local provider, saving only a few hundred francs.
Fair enough. Budgets are real.
And no, this shall not be a complaint about loosing out on a gig. For me personally, the story ended well: on the very same day I was booked by another client for that same date.
What They Got Instead
But a few days later, the photos from that event appeared online. And what I saw was… just painful:
Bland, dark, lifeless images.
Expressions lost in shadow, highlights burned out.
No sense of energy, atmosphere, or story.
Images that looked like they came straight from an point and shoot camera in auto mode auto: untouched, unshaped, unrefined.
In other words, images that didn’t honor the effort, investment, or significance of the occasion.
Looking at these images, I see the potential of the premises, the dynamics of their interactions, the celebratory moments. But there was none of this.
I remain genuinely sad for the organization. Their moment will never come back, and the photos they received do not reflect the importance of what they achieved.
Photography Is not a Commodity
If you buy a commodity product online, a substantial discount makes sense. Online shops don’t offer advice (or rarely do). They don’t offer a customer experience, like in a store.
With commodity products, cheaper works. A pair of headphones is the same no matter the shop. Shipped from the original producer, identical in quality, same warranty. Regardless where you shop, the said item is getting delivered to your door.
But event photography is not like that. It is not a standardized product. What you pay for is not only a file or a print. It
The photographer’s eye and timing.
The ability to anticipate moments before they happen.
The skill to work under pressure and unpredictable conditions.
The experience to create consistency, atmosphere and energy.
The guarantee that your organization’s story is told in the best possible way.
Cutting corners doesn’t just save money. it often erases the very value you wanted in the first place.
What I Deliver at Events
When I photograph an event, my priority is to capture the energy, the atmosphere, and the connection between the guests and the hosts.
I capture the energy and authenticity without disrupting the flow:
Speakers in motion, mid-sentence
Guests laughing and connecting
Organizers proud of their work
Details that show culture and values
And the images don’t sit in a folder. They are used by my clients to power press releases, websites, internal comms and social channels such as LinkedIn, X / Twitter etc.
The Real Cost of Cheap Photography
That organization saved a few hundred francs — but lost something far greater:
The ability to showcase their success with pride and impact.
The moment won’t return.
The legacy is gone.
That’s why photography is never a commodity.
Looking Ahead
If you’re planning an event, whether it’s a company anniversary, a leadership retreat, or a milestone celebration, ask yourself:
Do we want photos that just prove you were there?
Or images that capture presence, leadership – and legacy?
That’s the difference I bring.
Let’s talk.