Regardless of how many times you have been to the Long Beach Area for site visits in preparation for the conference or convention once you land there is still that uneasy feeling.  Will the vendors you’ve secured for the event perform the way you expect? Here are 5 questions you must ask when doing research to hire a conference or convention photographer.   How Familiar Are you with the Venue? The photographer must be familiar with specific details about the convention center, hotel or venue; familiarity with the floorplan, traffic patterns around the facility, parking, etc. The last thing you need is your photographer looking for a parking meter while your keynote speaker is taking the stage.   Have you Photographed Plenary Sessions Before? Your photographer should be familiar with the lighting conditions, and the importance of the expanse of the session rooms.  Plenary sessions are lit very differently than breakouts and you want to make sure your photographer is familiar with analyzing lighting conditions.  Also look for answers that let you know the photographer understands the importance of moments both on and off stage. Have you Photographed Multiple Concurrent Breakout Sessions Before? Here is where knowledge of the venue floorplan is extremely important (bonus points if they share shortcuts that you might also be able to take advantage of while on site!) as well as the lighting conditions of the breakout rooms.  Believe it or not different rooms are lit with different color temperature lights.   How Much Direction Will you Require from Staff? This one is a biggie, and you want to make sure that both you and the photographer have an understanding.   You don’t want to realize three weeks after the event that you didn’t get the shots you wanted because there was a communication gap.  Whether you’re a “hand holder” or like your hand to be held, the expectations need to be laid out before the contract is signed.   How Soon After the Event Ends Will I Get My Pictures? The answer to this question will help you plan your post conference outreach.  You want to capitalize on the attendees’ excitement and remind them of the value of attending the conference.  If the answer you get does not mesh with your plan, then at least you know what to expect.