Getting up in front of
an audience to deliver an entertaining and inspiring photo presentation is one
of my favourite things to do - right after being outside shooting photos. I've had
a chance to present to groups of all kinds, from a dozen people in a church
basement to keynotes at large venues with a thousand people. Each time, it's
equally fun and exciting! Here are 10 tips that I've used over the years to
deliver presentations with impact:
- Start your presentation with a bang - a great joke or compelling story to capture the attention of the audience.
- Tell personal and/or humorous stories that convey your passion. The audience wants to be entertained as much as they want to learn a few tips.
- Create a point form outline, but don't script your entire show. Use a few key speaking points to illustrate each of your segments or concepts. The more you get to know your presentation, the better it will flow. Your goal is to deliver a fluid and engaging talk that comes across more naturally and less scripted.
- Use minimal text on your slides (I can't stress this point enough)! If the crowd wanted to read, they would have stayed home and picked up a book.
- Include photos of yourself in action. It makes your content more real and personal.
- Show, don't tell. Comparison images are the best way to demonstrate concepts and techniques. For example, to show the effect of using a filter include photos taken with and without it.
- Bring some relevant gear with you or interesting props. We're camera nerds and love to see the gear you use!
- The ideal length for a presentation is 45-55 minutes plus a few minutes for questions. Keep it short and punchy. Leave the audience wanting more.
- Vary your pace. I use a ton of photos (200) in a typical presentation. At times I'll breeze through a series of images and sometimes I linger on slides.
- Don't take any questions until the end, then take 3-5 questions out loud and stick around to mingle personally. You don't want to hold up the entire crowd with endless questions.
I hope these tips help you with your next presentation! If you have additional tips, please feel free to share them in the comments. Thanks!
Ethan Meleg
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