In the bustling city of Manchester, curating an unforgettable event requires a keen eye for detail and a touch of magic - the kind of magic only a top professional photographer can create.

Discover how the Freelancer Club can help you find the right talent to capture every beautiful moment, transforming your event from ordinary to extraordinary.
 

Find a Photographer Today!
 

Find Event Photographers in Manchester:

- Freelancer Club

- Social Media

- Job Boards

- Word of Mouth

Things to Consider:

- Cost and Pricing

- The Right Event Photographer

- Summary

Freelancer Club

Meet the solution to your event photographer hiring woes: Freelancer Club. 

At Freelancer Club, we're proud to be a hub for some of the industry's most outstanding photographers. 

We've honed our understanding of client needs by engaging with countless employers, brands, and individuals. 

Not only that, but we're armed with data about recruitment and talent sourcing, enabling us to make the hiring process smoother for everyone involved.

We source event photographers in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan and beyond, however, we can also expand the search to include photographers to a wider talent pool if you’d like more choice. 

Here are just some of the reasons why Freelancer Club is the perfect place for you to begin looking:

✅ Posting a job is free. Yes you read that right. We don't impose hidden charges or commission fees. Forget about high fees associated with job boards (the average price being £250!). Freelancer Club services come at no extra cost to you.

✅ Hassle-Free Hiring: With Freelancer Club, posting a job is quick, simple, and reaches a pool of talented photographers. The process of managing potential hires is streamlined, saving you time and reducing stress.

✅ Direct Collaboration: Support local talent by working directly with professional photographers. This not only reduces logistical complexities but also supports the local creative industry.

✅ User-Friendly Platform: Our simple interface makes it easy to post a job and manage applications, freeing up time and reducing email clutter.

✅ Smart Management: Our dashboard prioritises applicants based on their relevance to your job and lets you view multiple portfolios simultaneously at a glance. You'll be able to collaborate directly with the photographers, ensuring your vision is understood and captured just the way you want.

Find out for yourself, by posting a job for free today!

Now, if you want to learn more about hiring event photographers in Manchester, keep reading!

Social Media

Ah, the vast and vibrant world of social media, a digital realm teeming with artistic talent! A dip into platforms like Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, and you're instantly introduced to the creative flair of Manchester's photographers.

Social media has become a crucial medium for freelance photographers looking to expand their clientele, and as such, there are countless of them out there. 

So, when you’re looking to hire someone, where do you even begin? 

The vastness of talent available on these platforms can be overwhelming -  like stepping into a massive art gallery with countless pieces of artwork and no guide to show you the way. 

From highly experienced professionals to enthusiastic hobbyists, the spectrum of photographers on social media is wide and varied. 

You're left to your own devices to separate the wheat from the chaff, and it can be a daunting task, to say the least.

Identifying the right photographer for your event isn't just about the quality of their photos - their professionalism, reliability, and understanding of your specific needs are equally important. 

Without a system in place to vet these factors, social media platforms can feel like a risky venture. It's a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack, albeit a very colourful and creative haystack.

Communication can sometimes be slow, details can get lost in translation, and there's always a risk of misinterpretation. It requires a leap of faith and a significant amount of your time and energy.

So while social media can be a useful tool to get a sense of the local photography scene in Manchester, it might not be the most efficient or reliable way to hire a photographer for your event. 

The search can be exhaustive, and the results - unpredictable. Remember, your event deserves not only a good photographer, but the right one.

Pros: 

✅ Endless Options: You'll find a near-infinite array of photographers showcasing their work, from seasoned professionals to budding enthusiasts.

✅ Direct Interaction: You can engage directly with photographers, getting a feel for their personality and work ethic.

Cons: 

❌ Overwhelming Volume: The vast number of options can be mind-boggling, making it difficult to know where to start your search.

❌ Quality Control: With such a wide range of photographers, discerning between the pros and the hobbyists can be challenging.

❌ Unpredictable Results: The absence of a vetting system can make your search a risky gamble. You're essentially hoping to find the perfect match in an unsorted pool of talent.

❌ Communication Hurdles: Booking a photographer via social media can be complex. Slow responses, missed messages, and misunderstood details are common issues.

Jobs Boards

When it comes to finding talent for longer-term projects, job boards, such as Indeed, Reed, or Totaljobs, have their merits. 

These platforms are often the first port of call in Manchester, and across the UK, for employers seeking to fill long-term roles. 

But if you're on the hunt for a freelance event photographer for a one-off event, these boards might not offer the most economical or practical approach.

Featuring your listing on these job boards generally comes with a cost, particularly if you're aiming for your post to stand out amidst the multitude of Manchester-based listings. 

The expenditure for job boards may be justified for long-term hires, but for a one-off event in Didsbury or Chorlton? It could rapidly diminish your budget, compromising other critical aspects of your event planning.

This broad net could also attract a diverse pool of applicants, many of whom may not possess the specialised skills you're looking for, and sifting through a flood of applications, many of which may not fit the bill, can be extremely time-consuming.

As an event planner, every moment is precious. Is it worth it to add the task of recruitment to your already extensive checklist?

Pros:

✅ Well-established: These platforms have a strong reputation and are widely used by many seeking employment opportunities.

✅ Large Pool: You can access a large pool of potential candidates, increasing your chances of finding someone suitable.

Cons:

❌ Costly: Getting your listing noticed among the multitude of posts often comes with a price tag, which can quickly drain your budget, particularly if your need is for a single event.

❌ Broad Net: These platforms cater to a vast array of professions, causing your specific requirement for an event photographer to potentially get lost among unrelated job listings.

❌ Time-consuming: The diversity of applicants, many of whom may lack the specialized skills you're seeking, means you'll have to sift through a deluge of resumes, consuming valuable time.

❌ Less relevant for short-term gigs: While useful for long-term hires, job boards may not be as effective for hiring freelance event photographers in Manchester.

Find a Photographer Today!

Word of Mouth

Relying on referrals from friends or family seems like an easy solution. After all, they're people you trust, and if they had a positive experience with a photographer, surely you will too, right? 

It's not always that straightforward.

The field of photography is wide and varied, with each event demanding a unique set of skills and creative flair - meaning that just because a photographer was the right fit for your friend's baby shower doesn't necessarily mean they'll excel at capturing the atmosphere of your corporate event.

It's important to remember that photography isn't a one-size-fits-all service.

Think about this - you've decided to hire a photographer based on your best friend's rave review. You're expecting spectacular shots that'll have everyone talking about your event for months. 

But alas, the final pictures land in your inbox and they're...underwhelming. Worse still, now you've got the daunting task of having that awkward conversation with your friend. Yikes!

Let's not discount referrals – sometimes, they can lead to incredible finds! However, in a vibrant city like Manchester with its abundance of talent, relying solely on them can feel like a gamble.

Always check the work of the photographer before committing to a recommendation. Creativity is subjective and your vision and expectations may not align with that of the person referring the talent. 

That's where Freelancer Club steps in. We're not replacing word-of-mouth but supplementing it, connecting you to vetted, top-tier photographers right here in Manchester. 

So while you're ticking off the rest of your event planning list, we're here to make sure your photographer is not just good, but the perfect fit.

Pros:

✅ Trust factor: Referrals come from trusted sources, adding credibility to the referred photographer's skills.

✅ Past Success: If your referral source had a positive experience, it increases the chance that you might too.

Cons:

❌ Not a One-Size-Fits-All Service: A photographer who was perfect for a friend's birthday bash might not necessarily capture a corporate event with the same flair. The field of photography is wide, and each event requires a unique touch.

❌ Potential Pressure: If the referred photographer fails to meet your expectations, it could lead to uncomfortable conversations and strained relationships.

❌ Restricted Options: Solely depending on referrals can limit your options, particularly in a city like Manchester brimming with untapped talent. 

Cost and Pricing

The cost of hiring an event photographer in Manchester fundamentally depends on a few key factors: the nature of your event, the length of coverage required, and the photographer's experience and reputation.

Typically, for a professional event photographer, you could expect to pay in the range of £100 - £300 per hour or have a flat rate for the event itself, which could be anywhere from £500 - £2000. Remember that these prices can be lower or higher, based on the variables mentioned earlier.

It’s common that event photographers provide their services as part of an inclusive bundle, which offers great value. 

Look for a package that covers everything you need - prompt delivery of photos, rights to use the images, the right equipment for the job, and professional editing or retouching of your pictures. 

Remember, you're not just hiring someone to show up on the day. Your chosen photographer is already hard at work, even before your event begins - planning, understanding your vision, and preparing to capture key moments, all contributing to the overall price.

And the magic doesn't stop when the event ends. 

Post-production involves selecting, editing, and retouching the best shots. This process takes skill, time, and sophisticated software, all adding to the final cost.

As there are many types of photographers, many kinds of events and various levels of skills, it’s difficult to give a definite estimate of an average cost.

Opting for a local professional can have a significant impact on cost savings. 

When hiring an event photographer in Manchester, you're investing in a full-package service from planning to post-production. When considering the price, remember you're not just paying for a service, but investing in an unforgettable visual journey.

At Freelancer Club we have made it easy for you to check the pricing of any Photographer. Of course, make sure to contact them directly to discuss your needs, but many also list their fees on their profiles.

The Right Event Photographer

Choosing the right event photographer in Manchester is about more than finding a skilled professional with a camera. 

The type of event you're hosting plays a pivotal role. 

Is it a relaxed company party at the Northern Quarter, a formal corporate event at Spinningfields, or a dynamic music festival at Heaton Park? Each requires a different photographic approach.

Define your needs clearly. Are you inclined towards candid shots or stylised, brand-oriented images?

Understanding this helps refine your search and facilitates effective communication with prospective photographers.

But remember, even the perfect portfolio isn't enough without a clear, comprehensive contract. This should cover service terms, delivery timelines, costs, and usage rights. 

This contract isn’t just about securing your rights—it's about laying the groundwork for a successful collaboration, ensuring your Manchester event is memorialised perfectly.

At Freelancer Club, we understand that the process of hiring an event photographer can involve various technicalities, which is why our dedicated concierge service is at your disposal to clear any doubts and assist with your queries. 

Our goal is to simplify the process for you by offering a streamlined approach to sourcing a photographer.

But our support doesn't stop there. We're also here to assist both you and the photographer with matters such as contract details, ensuring that the hiring process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Summary

In the grand scheme of event planning, it's crucial to remember that the magic truly lies in the details - and securing a skilled event photographer can be the make-or-break factor.

Enter the Freelancer Club, your one-stop-shop for the best of the best photographers in the industry. 

Our members are seasoned experts who can capture everything from the organic, in-the-moment laughter at a company gathering to the vibrant atmosphere at a music festival or the poised elegance of a corporate event. 

Beyond just linking you to exceptional photographers, we streamline the job-posting process, assist with contracts and other legalities, providing you with a hassle-free experience

Don't miss out on the opportunity to immortalise your event's unforgettable moments. 

Start creating your event's perfect memory track with the Freelancer Club today. It's more than just a service - it's a partnership in creating memorable experiences.

Find a Photographer Today!

Check out this quick guide on how to create a post to hire an event photographer in Manchester

Images: Raquel C L, Teodora Andrisan, Dan Evans, Ari&Lucy