For anybody involved with press conference photography; Washington DC has to be the place to be practicing your craft. I doubt if anybody has bothered to take down the statistics; but, I would guess that there are plenty of press conferences taking place in the nation’s capital almost every day of the week.
Not Only At The White House
Both the actual real ones and the fictitious press conferences in movies and on TV where important announcements, explanations and clarifications are released to the press; who, in turn, are invited to ask questions are the Washington press conferences that spring to mind immediately; however, all sorts of other Government entities; businesses and even private citizens can (and regularly do) stage press conferences. The aim of any press conference is to attract attention to something and, where better to achieve that aim, than in Washington DC?
An Open House; Or, An Invited Audience?
Whoever is setting up any sort of press conference needs to consider some basic points. Where and when to hold the conference and for what purpose are the obvious places to start. Then, there are organizational questions like – “who are you aiming to reach with this release of information” and “how much control are you hoping to exercise”?
You also need to consider which is the most effective method for releasing your information? Are you hoping for coverage on the prime time TV news; or, a carefully composed written article in newspapers and magazines? If the latter, which is more important in your mind; the words or the photographs that go with them?
The Pictures Speak A Thousand Words
If the photographs are seen to be, at least, as important as the words; you will then need to consider who is going to take them. They need to be of the highest professional quality and, for them to work more effectively for you; they should be taken by a photographer who specializes in press conference photography in Washington DC. Your photographer should operate as a photojournalist who can put together a story line in advance (after consultation with you) and then take a series of pictures that fully document that story for maximum impact when you release the pictures after the event.
The Rodney Bailey photojournalism group is well versed in the art of press conference photography In Washington DC; they can handle any event large or small.
