10 Photos to Take at Your Next Store Event

Store events are kind of your gig. As an independent retailer, you know how to throw a great store celebration.

Each month, Hardware Retailing editors and designers hear about the unique and successful things retailers are doing in their stores. From ladies’ nights to barbecues and box car races to charity events, retailers are innovative and creative.

However, these stories sometimes lack one crucial element — good pictures.

Retailers are so busy making sure they provide customers a great experience that they forget to take photos of all the hard work that goes into hosting an event. While hiring photographers is one option, it’s not feasible for everyone. For those retailers in charge of snapping pictures, read the tips below to ensure you capture the success of your next event!

10 Photos Every Retailer Should Take at their Next Store Event:

1. Before Setup: Retailers spend a lot of time cleaning and restocking when hosting an event. Use this time to take photos of the store when it’s  extremely clean and organized. Focus on clean aisle shots, fully-stocked shelves and endcaps.
   Why? These photos can be used on social media or the store’s website to give customers a visual of the store.
2. Close-Ups: Take some close-up shots of products in the store. Focus in on the head of a hammer or a row of wrenches.
   Why? Show people hardware can be beautiful.
3. Setup: When setting up for the event, retailers can take photos of their employees prepping the store for the big day. Take close-up pictures of balloons, tents, banners and anything that identifies what the event is. Don’t forget to take action shots of employees working hard to get everything ready.
   Why? Promotion! Post them on social media to get customers excited for the event. It’s also a way for customers to spread the word. Customers will have easy access to photos and can share them with others.
4. Before Customers Arrive: Once the area is set up (tents are up, tables are out, balloons are hung), it’s the perfect time to snap photos of the event area from every angle. Take pictures from far enough away that there is a clear shot of the entire space. Move closer to the event and take photos of signage, decorations, merchandise.
   Why? These photos will help employees set up the same event next time! You can also post them on social media for more promotion the morning of your event and for events like this in the future.
5. The Staff: Gather employees and take a few photos. If the group is fairly large and it’s difficult to fit everyone in the photo, have some people sit on chairs and let the rest of the group fill in behind them. Avoid lighting that casts shadows on people or direct sunlight right in the team’s eyes. Make sure the group doesn’t leave without getting a fun shot, too!
   Why? Why not? It’s always great to get team photos. Hang them up around the store or in the break room.
6. The Crowd: When the event is in full progress, pick up a camera and take some pictures with a lot of customers. Try to find unique angles! Stand on a ladder and try to take shots from above, or take a knee and aim the camera up slightly to provide a different perspective. If you are having an outdoor event, try to find angles that don’t cast harsh shadows on faces. Try starting further away and then working your way in.
   Why? Everyone will want to attend the next event if they see what a success this one is! Put the photos up on the website, social media or send them to a local newspaper to show the community the event’s success.
7. Customer Interaction: This is the perfect time to take some photos of customers interacting with the store and staff. Try to keep the customer and employee faces in the shot. Get a photo of them talking with each other and then another one of them smiling at the camera.
   Why? Store events are all about getting customers in you store while doing something special for the community. What better way to illustrate that point than with photos of employee/customer interaction in a fun, community environment.
8. Customer Purchasing: Take a few photos of customers at the register. Again, try to keep both the customer’s and employee’s faces in the shot.
   Why? If the store’s website and social media have photos of happy paying customers, they show that people trust the store and add a personal touch.
9. The Differentiator: What makes this event unique? Retailers should try to capture the one thing that makes this event different. Why is this ladies’ night different? What makes this tailgate party better than the rest? Photos of food, give-aways, community leaders that stop by, anything that makes the event a success.
   Why? Your event gives people a reason to come to your store and should be the reason they want to stay for awhile!
10. The Photographer: Whoever ends up taking all the photos should try to make sure he/she is not left out. Have a fellow employee grab the camera and take a few photos.
    Why? The photographer is working just as hard as everyone else; acknowledge his or her hard work, as well!