Best way to ID guests lining up for event photos?

Hi,

 

I have a short time to photograph anywhere from 40-130 people who will be lined up at an event.

 

Some photos will be of couples and others of singles.

 

The event host wants the names/addresses of the people to send them prints.

 

What is a failsafe method of properly identifying the guests? I was thinking of having each group/individual

hold up a pre-printed letter paper with numbers 1-150 printed in large, bold text. once they have their photo taken

they go to an assistant with clipboard to write their address down.

 

I am thinking of handing guests the numbered sheets as they stand in line so they can write their address down on the sheet with the numbers on it.

 

Any suggestions would be welcome. I have about 30min-1 hour to photograph as many people as I can so a streamlined

fail safe system suggestion would be really appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Draw a number on their head with a Sharpie. Then have your assistant hand them a wet wipe on their way out.

 

Of course, I'm kidding. There aren't many fail-safe ways, unfortunately. Your idea to have the guests fill out their number card (it can be as simple as an index card and a Sharpie) is probably the best method. Another idea if you want to make it "fun" for the guests might be to have your assistant use a Hollywood-style clapper before each, with the number and client name written on it.

As Michael alluded, nothing is "fail-safe".

 

I like your idea of asking the Guests to complete a form BEFORE you make the photos.

 

It is a good idea for two reasons: firstly you are giving them the choice to supply the information or not; secondly the name and address information that you supply your Client is first source.

 

I don't think you need to give the Guests a number - if they fill out the form BEFORE you make the photographs, you simply need to allocate the Image File Number(s) to the corresponding form that each Guest or set of Guests has completed.

 

WW

You don't say what kind of event. If Wedding, Corporate, or Club it would be easy to have the card included with pre event materials and turned in on the photo line. You would need extras and pens for the forgetful.

Some years ago for a conference group, maybe 100 people (but only one photo), the next day (a few days of conference) they had a copy of the picture, with numbers printed over each person. People were then asked to write their name (address wasn't needed) next to their number on another sheet of paper.

 

Not fail safe, but people were pretty good at doing it.

 

In your case, if they don't write their address, they don't get a copy of the picture.

 

But these days, it would be more usual to e-mail the JPG out, so you would want their e-mail address.