Picture Perfect: Useful Photos to Take at Your Next Trade Show

If a picture is worth a thousand words, trade shows are the ideal place to take candid pictures. Exhibitors, after all, invest a lot of money to create a visual presence at each trade show. Trade shows serve as a rich setting for capturing photographic memories that may be repurposed in a variety of ways, thanks to enticing booth design, bright signs and graphics, demos, seminars, and other activities aimed to enhance booth traffic. 🔥HOT TIP🔥 Use your trade show as the perfect time to gather photos for your website or promotional posts on social media.

As an exhibit manager or trade show marketer, one of your responsibilities is to add value to your company or client. It’s critical to get trade show photographs that show off your hard work to company executives. From beginning to end, photos tell the tale of your exhibit. Use the following list as a guide when taking digital photographs so you can capture every moment at your upcoming trade shows.

TRADE SHOW PHOTO CHECK LIST ✓

1. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

• Take pictures of your products from all angles.
• Photograph displays, kiosks, or images that describe your services.

2. BRANDING

• Include any signage and banners, as well as images of the display premises.

3. STAFF

• Take a group picture in front of your booth.
• Take candid photos of your employees engaging with visitors to your booth.
• Photograph invited guests or specialists interacting with prospects or customers.
• Take pictures of company executives or professionals giving presentations during a keynote, workshop, or seminar.
• Photographs of trade show entertainers interacting with prospects within your booth.

4. PRESENTATIONS, PROMOTIONS OR DEMOS WITHIN YOUR BOOTH SPACE

• Capture crowds gathering around your presenter/Infotainer (e.g., a magician) and theater audiences.
• High traffic photos of any contest, game, or reward wheel in action.

5. YOUR TRADE SHOW DISPLAY

• Before attendees come, take perimeter shots of the booth, making sure to include your entire booth space.
• During the exhibition hours, with a lot of foot traffic, take some perimeter images of the booth when staff are interacting with attendees.
• Capture moments when staff or contracted trade show talent are taking leads.

6. YOUR COMPETITION

• Take a walk around the exhibition hall for photos of competitors’ booths for future inspiration.

7. OTHER

• Document any new exhibit concept, idea, or technology that you think will be useful to you in the future.

Along with capturing photos, also capture moments.

Try to catch candid moments like a salesperson having a laugh with a prospect, participants shaking hands and smiling, or a visitor getting a gift. Attendees may bring their families to your trade show, so take this opportunity to have them pose with your product or wearing your brand’s swag their daddy just won! These images do more than just show a static image. They exude the warmth, wit, and human connection that trade shows have always been known for.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRADE SHOW PHOTOS

Your website: Every company has a story to tell, and photographs may assist express that story. You can use trade show photographs on your website to pique viewers’ interest and to show prospects and consumers what activities your company participates in and that you attend industry events.

Social Media: Social media is the most common place where to use trade show photographs. Almost every post includes a photo to bolster views and increase participation. If you want an RT on Twitter alone, include a photo.

Post-show Press Release: A press release is an excellent method to discuss your brand messaging, the items or services that were on display in your booth, or the significance of your new product launch. Articles with graphics receive a whopping 94% increase in total views! It’s a no-brainer to include photographs.

Year End Recap Video: Images from your exhibits provide visual proof of the effectiveness of trade shows and are the perfect complement when deciding on a trade show budget for the future year and which expos to attend.

Blog: As an exhibitor or a trade show marketer, you’ll have plenty of possibilities to blog about your experiences. Case studies from events, instructive how-tos, and trade fair ideas and advice are all possibilities. There are numerous topics to choose from! The reader is more engaged and viewer retention is increased when photographs of real people in real-life settings are used. The combination of text and photos is a one-two blogging punch.

BOTTOM LINE

Photography does, in fact, assist individuals in understanding your company. However, you do not need to recruit a professional photographer to capture your trade show experience. We recommend appointing one person to take images and ensuring that that person is aware of what you want documented by using the checklist provided above. If more than one person is shooting images, make sure they are all uploaded to one location for easy access.

Visually capturing and sharing your trade show moments and memories with the rest of the world is a great way to show how great your company is.