8 Easy Composition Tips for Nonprofit Event Photos

Matthew Stover
Jan 8
2 min read

All images courtesy of Matthew Ryan Stover

Taking great event photos doesn’t have to be complicated. Use these simple tips to grab content that tells a story and engages your community.

1. Know Where the Photos Will Be Used

Think about where the photos will go. For Instagram, leave space for square cropping. For Facebook, LinkedIn, websites, or email, shoot horizontally for better visuals.

2. Use Leading Lines

Look for natural lines like walkways, tables, or rows of chairs to guide the viewer’s eye to your subject.

3. Follow the Rule of Thirds

Place your subject off-center by imagining a grid (or using your camera’s grid setting). It guides the viewer’s eye across the frame, making the composition more dynamic.

4. Look for Shapes

Capture your subject within shapes like doorways, arches, or windows. Shapes gives context of framing and focus.

5. Play with Point of View (POV)

Photograph some pictures showing the event from different angles. This helps communicate what it feels like to be there, whether it’s an over-the-shoulder shot or a low angle of the stage.

6. Get a Variety of Shots

Take a mix of wide shots, action shots, group poses, and close-ups. This gives you a complete story of the event.

7. Find the Light

There's a large window behind the photographer that is casting even light on these conference attendees.

Make sure the light hits your subject’s face so they aren’t in shadow. Natural light works best, but event lighting can also add a nice glow.

8. Stack Posed Pictures of People

Give your group shots more depth and interest, by stacking large groups of people in multiple rows.

These tips will help you capture photos that are easy to share and showcase your event’s success. Keep them in mind at your next event, and you’ll have meaningful content ready to engage your audience!