When I take up conference coverage, I usually like to build a strong understanding of the event before it even begins. I believe that knowing the subject helps me anticipate moments better.

But this time, there was literally nothing available in the public domain about the conference. My knowledge was limited to whatever information my team had shared with me. It was a good starting point, but I still wanted more clarity about the project.

Since I did not have enough background material, I created a detailed checklist for myself so that I would not miss any important moments.

My checklist covered everything:

• Registration desk

• Empty halls before the crowd arrived

• Posters and branding elements

• People registering

• Breakout areas and networking moments

• Speakers talking

• The audience listening

• Candid interactions

• And finally, the organizers themselves

Reaching Early Makes All the Difference

We reached the venue at around 7:30 AM.

The team included myself as the lead photographer, two videographers, and a production head who oversaw the entire operation. We had to be there early to capture clean frames of the registration desk, the stage, and the venue before the audience walked in.

Once the crowd started coming in, everything moved fast. We had to position ourselves quickly to get candid moments without disturbing the flow of the event.

Getting Comfortable With Higher ISO

At an overall level, I became very comfortable using higher ISOs, especially with my Nikon D850. The camera handled low light well, and that gave me confidence.

Using flash was necessary, but I realized that relying only on TTL mode was not enough. I had to use manual flash mode as well. Sometimes the speaker would move slightly, and I had to quickly adjust flash strength to avoid overexposed or underexposed images.

That was a key technical learning for me.

Anticipation Is Everything

In conference coverage, anticipation is more important than reaction.

You need to be ready for:

• A laugh when the speaker cracks a joke

• A handshake moment

• A sudden applause

• A group photo announcement

If I sensed a group photo coming up, I would quickly increase my depth of field by adjusting the aperture. These small changes make a big difference.

Lens Changes and Fast Decisions

I was carrying three lenses.

• A 35mm prime lens for wider, clean shots

• An 18–55mm lens for group photos

• A 70–300mm lens for tight speaker shots

Changing lenses quickly depending on the situation was another challenge. Conferences move fast. You don’t get second chances.

Understanding the Client’s Perspective

Personally, I prefer slightly darker, contrast-rich images. That is my style.

But the client preferred brighter, well-exposed images where faces were clearly visible. That was an important reminder — as a professional event photographer in Delhi, it is not about what I like. It is about what the client needs.

Understanding that balance is crucial.

Team Coordination Matters

Throughout the event, we were in constant communication — me, the videographers, and the production head.

If someone was blocking a frame, we informed each other.
If there was a better composition opportunity, we discussed it.
If lighting conditions changed, we adapted together.

Conference coverage is never a one-person job.

You Don’t Always Get the Perfect Composition

One major learning from this conference was this: you don’t always get the perfect composition.

If you are shooting candid moments, you work with what you have.

But when it comes to posed photos, you need to be proactive. You cannot stay silent and expect people to pose the way you want. I had to walk up to people and ask them to stand properly. Otherwise, you simply miss the shot.

Managing Group Photos With Multiple Cameras

Group photos are another challenge, especially when multiple photographers and videographers are standing in front.

The key is communication.

I clearly tell people:
“I will take 3 to 5 shots. Please look into my camera.”

If someone blinks or looks elsewhere, the next shot usually fixes it. When you are looking through the viewfinder, you don’t have time to check every small detail like who blinked or who looked away.

So you take multiple shots and prepare for the next one.

Even if you miss one frame, the next frame will take care of it.

Final Thoughts

Conference photography and corporate event coverage in Delhi is not just about clicking pictures. It is about preparation, anticipation, technical control, communication, and understanding client expectations.

Every event teaches you something new.

And this one reminded me that preparation and adaptability matter more than perfection.