A keynote speaker in front of the brand screen. A sharp speaker and a readable logo in a dark room is the shot sponsors ask for first.
SF Tech Week runs October 5–11, with hundreds of panels, hackathons, founder dinners and demo nights across San Francisco. Hosts spend weeks on speakers, RSVPs and catering. The photos are often an afterthought, but they're the part of the event that keeps working after everyone goes home.
This is the shot list I work from at tech events. Use it whether you hire me or someone else, so you know what to ask for.
The shot list
Speakers with your branding. Every speaker on stage, with your logo or slide readable behind them. Stage lighting at most venues is dim and uneven, so this takes a photographer who knows the room.
The full room. A wide shot from the stage looking out at the crowd. Take it in the first ten minutes of the main talk, when the room is at its fullest. This is the photo that proves your turnout.
Audience reactions and Q&A. People laughing, taking notes, raising a hand. These feel more real than any stage shot.
Networking in small groups. Two to four people mid-conversation, not posed lineups. These sell next year's event.
Sponsors and signage. Every sponsor logo, banner and booth. Sponsors want proof they were seen, and these photos make the renewal conversation easy.
Food, drinks and details. The coffee bar, the swag table, name badges, the menu. Small details show the care you put into the event.
Your team photo. Get the host team together before doors open, while everyone still looks fresh. It takes five minutes, and you'll use it all year.
The venue set up. One wide shot of the space ready to go, before guests arrive.
Tips for Tech Week hosts
Send your run of show. Your photographer should know when the keynote starts and when the panel ends.
Point out your VIPs. Speakers, sponsors and investors you want photographed should be on a short list.
Ask for same-day highlights. Tech Week moves fast. A handful of photos the same night lets you post while the event is still trending on LinkedIn and X.
Plan for the dark. Rooftops and bars look great at night and are hard to photograph. Ask your photographer how they handle low light.
Still need a photographer for Tech Week?
I'm a San Francisco event photographer with over 14 years of experience, and I've covered tech and corporate events all over the city. Corporate event coverage starts at $350 per hour, with highlights delivered in 24–48 hours. If your event is this week, send me a message and I'll tell you right away if I'm free. You can also see my event photography and pricing.