MIVA STUDY PACK — Event Photographer & Videographer (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 1: Making money from photos and video 7 minutes read WHY MEDIA COVERAGE IS ALWAYS IN DEMAND People love to capture life moments. Across West Africa and around the world, families and businesses host events every week. They want photos and videos to keep as memories or to share online. If you learn how to shoot clearly and act professionally, you can build a steady side business. You do not need an expensive studio to start. Many successful media creators started with a good smartphone or an older second-hand camera. What matters most is your ability to tell a story and show up on time. COMMON EVENTS YOU CAN COVER Look around your local community. There are always events happening that need media coverage: - Weddings and engagement ceremonies: Families want full coverage of the vows, traditional rites, and reception. - Funerals and celebrations of life: In places like Ghana and Togo, funerals are big community events that require respectful photography. - Naming ceremonies and child dedications: Parents want clean photos of their newborns and family gatherings. - Church services and special programs: Many churches hire media teams for live streams or weekly social media posts. - Small business content: Local shops, tailors, and caterers need photos and video reels of their products to share on WhatsApp and Instagram. HOW MEDIA CREATORS EARN MONEY Photographers and videographers earn income in a few different ways: - Event coverage packages: You charge a flat fee to shoot for a set number of hours (for example, 50,000 Naira or 400 Ghana Cedis for 4 hours). - Instant photo prints: You bring a portable printer to an event and sell printed pictures directly to guests on the spot. - Photobooks and frames: You print finished albums or framed pictures for the client after the event for an extra fee. - Monthly retainers: A local shop or church pays you a fixed amount every month to shoot 2 or 3 short videos per week. [Try this today] Take 5 good photos of a local product or a family member using your phone. Edit them cleanly and create a dedicated WhatsApp Business status or catalog to show people that you offer media services. BUILDING TRUST WITH YOUR FIRST CLIENTS In the event business, word of mouth is your best advertisement. People hire photographers they trust. If you show up late or deliver dark photos, clients will not recommend you to their friends. Always agree on prices and expectations before the event day. Charge a deposit (for example, 30% to 50% upfront) to hold the date. This helps you cover transport costs and shows the client is serious. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is a common way photographers earn extra money after an event? A) By deleting the original files before delivery B) By selling custom photobooks and framed pictures C) By asking guests to buy the camera D) By charging the client for transport twice Answer: B — Selling photobooks, framed prints, or digital albums after an event is a great way to add extra value for the client and increase your earnings. 2. Why is taking an upfront deposit important before an event? A) It covers initial transport costs and confirms the client is committed B) It allows you to skip showing up on time C) It means you do not need to deliver finished photos D) It pays for a new camera immediately Answer: A — A deposit secures the date, covers early expenses like transport or gear rental, and ensures the client is serious about hiring you. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 2: Your camera or phone: the basics 8 minutes read USING WHAT YOU HAVE You do not need a high-end camera to begin learning photography and video. Modern smartphones have powerful cameras that can take sharp images in daylight. If you own or rent a DSLR or mirrorless camera, the basic ideas are still the same. Whether you use a phone or a dedicated camera, knowing how to set up your equipment before the event starts will save you from making embarrassing mistakes. ESSENTIAL SETTINGS TO CHECK BEFORE SHOOTING Before you take your first photo at an event, check these important settings: - Lens cleanliness: Wipe your lens with a soft microfibre cloth. Fingerprints and grease from your pocket make photos look blurry and hazy. - Focus point: Tap your phone screen on the person's face to lock focus. On a camera, make sure your focus point is set to the eye or face. - Brightness (Exposure): Adjust the sun icon on your phone screen to stop photos from looking too bright (washed out) or too dark. - Gridlines: Turn on camera gridlines in your settings. This displays fine lines on your screen to help you keep horizon lines straight. UNDERSTANDING VIDEO RESOLUTION AND FRAME RATES When recording video, you will see options like 1080p, 4K, 24fps, 30fps, and 60fps in your camera settings. Here is what they mean in simple terms: - 1080p (Full HD): This is the standard quality for event videos and social media. It uses reasonable storage space and looks sharp on phones and TVs. - 4K: Very high quality, but takes up massive amounts of storage space and memory card speed. Use 1080p when starting out. - 24fps or 30fps: Standard frame rates for natural-looking video motion. Use this for general event recording. - 60fps: Smooth motion. Best used when you plan to slow down the clip later for slow-motion highlights. [Keep gear cool and safe] Direct sunlight and high heat can cause smartphones and cameras to overheat and shut down during an event. Keep your camera in the shade when not shooting, and never leave electronics on a hot car dashboard. MANAGING BATTERY POWER AND STORAGE Events like weddings or church conventions can run for 6 to 10 hours. In areas where power cuts happen without warning, you must plan ahead. Always carry a fully charged 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh power bank for your phone. If using a dedicated camera, carry at least two extra charged batteries and two formatted memory cards. Clear old photos off your storage space the night before the event. [Try this today] Open your phone camera settings right now. Turn on gridlines, set your video quality to 1080p at 30fps, and practice tapping on an object to control focus and brightness. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why should you clean your camera lens with a soft cloth before an event? A) To make the camera body look expensive B) To remove grease and dirt that cause blurry images C) To increase the phone's battery capacity D) To automatically edit your videos Answer: B — Fingerprints and dust on the lens diffuse light and make photos look smudged and dull. Cleaning the lens is the quickest way to improve image quality. 2. What video resolution is recommended for standard event coverage when starting out? A) 720p low quality B) 1080p Full HD C) 8K resolution D) 144p resolution Answer: B — 1080p delivers clean, crisp quality on phones and televisions without consuming too much storage space or battery. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 3: Light and composition 7 minutes read LIGHT MAKES THE PHOTO Light is the most important element in photography and video. Whether you use a smartphone or a digital camera, how light falls on your subject determines whether your photo looks crisp and professional or dark and muddy. You do not need expensive studio lights to get started, but you do need to learn how to see light. SOFT LIGHT VS. HARD LIGHT Not all light is the same. Understanding the difference between hard light and soft light will instantly improve your shots. Hard light comes from a small or direct light source, such as the midday sun at 12 PM. It creates dark, heavy shadows under people's eyes, noses, and chins. Skin can look sweaty and harsh. Soft light spreads out evenly over your subject. Shadows are gentle and smooth, making skin look clean and flattering. Soft light is always best for wedding portraits, baby dedications, and family photos. - Where to find soft light: outdoors in the shade of a building or large tree - Outdoors early in the morning or late in the afternoon (the golden hour) - Indoors near a large open window or doorway, out of direct sunlight - On overcast or cloudy days, because clouds act like a giant light diffuser MANAGING TRICKY LOCAL LIGHTING At events in West Africa, lighting can be unpredictable. You will often work under colorful canopy tents, inside dim church halls, or under bright sunlight. When shooting under blue, red, or green tarps, the sun shines through the fabric and casts a strange color onto people's skin. To fix this, move your subject closer to the outer edge of the tent where natural light enters, or adjust your camera color balance during editing. Another common issue is backlighting. This happens when your subject stands directly in front of a bright open door or window. The camera tries to expose for the bright background, turning your subject into a dark silhouette. To avoid this, change your standing position so the main light source comes from behind you or from the side, shining directly onto your subject's face. COMPOSITION: ARRANGING YOUR FRAME Composition means deciding what to include in your picture and where to place it. Good composition guides the eye to what is important and cuts out distractions like plastic chairs, trash, or stray hands. - Rule of Thirds: Divide your screen into a 3x3 grid with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place important elements, like a person's eyes or a wedding cake, along these lines or where they cross instead of always in the exact center. - Clean Backgrounds: Before pressing the shutter, look behind your subject. Step left or right to avoid tree branches or poles looking like they are growing out of someone's head. - Change Your Angle: Do not shoot every picture standing up at eye level. Crouch down low to capture a traditional dancer or a church speaker to make them look powerful. Stand high on a chair for group crowd shots. - Fill the Frame: Move closer to your subject. A close-up shot of a bride's decorated hands or a mother crying tears of joy at a funeral carries far more emotion than a far-away photo. [Try this today] Take three photos of a friend using your phone or camera. Take the first photo under direct midday sunlight. Take the second in the shade under a tree or canopy. Take the third near a bright indoor window. Compare all three on your screen and notice how shadows and skin tones change. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is the shade under a tree usually better for portraits than direct midday sunlight? A) Midday sun makes the background look too dark. B) Shade provides soft light that reduces harsh shadows on the face. C) Direct sunlight makes the camera run out of battery faster. D) Shade changes the subject's clothes to brighter colors. Answer: B — Shade diffuses the light, creating soft light that eliminates harsh dark shadows under eyes and noses. 2. What should you do if your subject looks like a dark silhouette in front of a bright church door? A) Ask the subject to close their eyes. B) Change your angle so the main light shines onto the front of their face. C) Zoom in as far as possible on their shoes. D) Lower your camera down to the ground. Answer: B — Backlighting occurs when light is stronger behind the subject than in front. Moving your position allows light to hit the subject's face clearly. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 4: Covering an event from start to end 8 minutes read PREPARATION BEFORE THE EVENT A successful event coverage begins hours before the guest of honor arrives. Arriving early gives you time to study the venue layout, test your audio and video settings, and meet the organizers. When you arrive at the venue, locate the Master of Ceremonies (MC), the event planner, or the church pastor. Introduce yourself politely and ask for a copy of the program order. Ask them specifically where key people will walk, stand, and sit. If you know the groom will enter through a side door, you can position yourself ahead of time to capture the exact moment. THE THREE-SHOT STORY METHOD To create a complete video or photo album for a client, build every sequence using three distinct types of shots. This is called the Three-Shot Method. - Wide Shot (Establishing): Captures the entire venue, decoration, canopy tents, and arrival of guests. It sets the scene and shows the scale of the event. - Medium Shot (Action): Focuses on two to four people. Examples include the pastor speaking at the altar, a couple cutting a cake, or relatives presenting gifts at a traditional wedding. - Close-up Shot (Emotion & Detail): Focuses tightly on a single detail or emotion. Examples include ring exchanges, tears during a funeral tribute, hands beating a drum, or shoes matching the traditional fabric (aso-ebi or kente). KEY MOMENTS YOU MUST NEVER MISS Every event has unmissable moments. Missing any of these key moments will ruin the job for your client, regardless of how nice your other photos are. - Weddings: Entrance of the couple, exchanging vows and rings, signing the marriage certificate, first embrace, cake cutting, and family group photos. - Funerals: Arrival of the casket, family tribute readings, laying of wreaths, body viewing (always confirm with family elders if filming is allowed), and cultural dance performances. - Churches & Crusades: Opening prayers, choir ministrations, main sermon, altar calls, and special donations or offerings. MANAGING CROWDS AND GROUP PHOTOS At West African events, family members and guests will often jump in front of your camera with their own mobile phones. Never shout at or push guests. Remain calm, polite, and firm. When taking group photos after a service or ceremony, take control with a loud, respectful voice. Call out groups one by one: 'Now, bride's family only, please!' Always take three to four shots of every group quickly, because someone will always blink or look away in the first shot. [Gear Safety and Power Backups] Events are packed with people, spilled drinks, and unpredictable power outages (dumsor). Keep all spare batteries, power banks, memory cards, and lenses zipped inside a bag placed off the floor. Keep your camera strap around your neck or wrist at all times so your equipment cannot fall if someone bumps into you. [Try this today] Practice the Three-Shot Method at home or during a local family meal. Capture one wide shot of the whole table, one medium shot of two people talking, and one close-up of food being served or hands holding a cup. Review them to see how they tell a full story. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which three types of shots should you combine to tell a complete story of an event segment? A) Dark shot, bright shot, blurry shot B) Wide shot, medium shot, close-up shot C) Eye-level shot, ground shot, sky shot D) Portrait shot, selfie shot, panoramic shot Answer: B — Using Wide (scene), Medium (action), and Close-up (detail/emotion) shots creates a complete story for video or photo albums. 2. Why is it important to take three or four quick photos for every family group portrait? A) It fills up your memory card faster. B) It makes the client think you are working harder. C) Someone in a large group often blinks or looks away in the first shot. D) It makes the camera flash warmer. Answer: C — In large group shots, people frequently blink or get distracted. Taking multiple shots ensures you get at least one picture where everyone looks good. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 5: Recording clear video and sound 8 minutes read WHY AUDIO MATTERS AS MUCH AS VIDEO Many beginner videographers spend all their time worrying about video quality while ignoring sound. But clients notice bad sound instantly. If a pastor's sermon echoes heavily or a couple's wedding vows are drowned out by a generator, the video is ruined. Great audio makes simple video look professional. KEEPING YOUR FOOTAGE STEADY Shaky video tires the eyes of your viewer. When covering a church service, wedding speech, or funeral tribute, you need a steady image. Follow these three rules for smooth clips: - Use a tripod for long speeches and choir performances so your hands do not get tired. - Use a monopod if you need to move around quickly in crowded spaces like party halls. - If shooting handheld, hold your camera or phone with both hands, tuck your elbows against your ribs, and bend your knees slightly while walking. SETTING UP YOUR CAMERA FOR VIDEO Whether using a smartphone or a DSLR camera, check these basic video settings before pressing record: - Resolution: Set your video to 1080p (Full HD). It gives crisp quality without filling up your memory card too fast. - Frame Rate: Use 24 frames per second (fps) for a cinematic look or 30 fps for standard video. Use 60 fps only if you plan to slow down the clip later. - Focus Lock: Tap and lock your focus on the main subject so your camera does not keep shifting focus while people move. GETTING CLEAN SOUND AT EVENTS Microphones built into phones and cameras pick up everything around them: wind, ceiling fans, footsteps, and distant conversations. To record clear voice audio, get your microphone as close to the speaker's mouth as possible. Here are common microphone types used for event coverage: - Lavalier (Lapel) Mic: A small mic clipped to a shirt collar. Excellent for the groom, preacher, or event host. - Shotgun Mic: A directional mic mounted on top of your camera. It picks up sound directly in front while reducing side noise. - Direct DJ Output: Connect a sound recorder directly to the DJ or church mixer board using an audio cable. This gives the cleanest sound for music and speeches. [Safety and Cable Hazards] Event halls are full of moving guests and children. Always tape down microphone cables running across floors using gaffer tape. Loose wires can trip guests or pull expensive cameras off tripods. [Try this today] Record a 30-second video of a friend speaking outdoors using your phone's built-in microphone from 3 meters away. Next, record them holding the phone close to their chest like a mic. Listen back with earphones to hear how distance changes sound quality. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is using a phone's built-in microphone risky when recording speeches at an event? A) It records only in black and white B) It picks up background noise like fans, generators, and crowd chatter C) It makes the speaker sound too loud D) It automatically deletes the video file after five minutes Answer: B — Built-in microphones capture sound from every direction equally, including background noises like generators, crowd chatter, and room echo. 2. What is the best way to keep your camera steady during long wedding speeches? A) Hold the camera above your head with one hand B) Run around the room while recording C) Mount the camera on a sturdy tripod D) Balance the camera on your shoulder while standing on one foot Answer: C — A tripod holds the camera perfectly still over long periods, preventing tired arms and shaky footage during speeches. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 6: Editing photos on a phone 7 minutes read FAST EDITING IN YOUR PALM You do not need an expensive laptop to edit event photos. Free smartphone apps like Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile let you polish photos quickly. In fact, editing on a phone allows you to send highlights to clients on WhatsApp before you even leave the venue. STEP 1: STRAIGHTEN AND CROP Before touching color or brightness, fix the composition. Look at horizon lines, door frames, or church altars in the background. If they look tilted, use the rotate tool to make them level. - Crop out unwanted distractions on the edges, like half a chair or a speaker wire. - Keep the main subject slightly off-center or right in the middle depending on the shot. STEP 2: ADJUST LIGHT AND SHADOWS Outdoor events in strong African sunlight often create harsh dark shadows under eyes and bright washed-out skies. Fix this using basic light controls: - Exposure: Raise slightly if the image is too dark; lower if it is overly bright. - Shadows: Slide up to reveal details hidden in dark clothes or under hat brims. - Highlights: Slide down to bring back detail in bright white wedding dresses or outdoor skies. STEP 3: PROTECT NATURAL SKIN TONES One common mistake beginners make is applying heavy preset filters. Heavy filters can make rich dark skin look gray, orange, or unnatural. Always edit with real skin tones in mind. If skin looks too cool or blue, increase the 'Warmth' or 'Temperature' slider slightly. Keep saturation low so colors look natural rather than neon. [Try this today] Download the free Snapseed app. Open a photo taken outdoors in bright light. Use the 'Tune Image' tool to lower Highlights by -30 and raise Shadows by +30. Notice how much detail appears in the dark and light areas. DELIVERING IMAGES WITHOUT LOSING QUALITY When sending finished photos to clients via WhatsApp, standard photo sharing compresses the file size, making sharp photos look blurry. Always tap the attachment icon and choose 'Document' mode instead of 'Gallery'. This sends the uncompressed full-resolution file. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why should you lower the 'Highlights' slider when editing an outdoor wedding photo? A) To make the whole photo completely black B) To recover lost detail in bright areas like white dresses or sunny skies C) To add colorful filters to the background D) To blur out guests who are standing far away Answer: B — Lowering highlights reduces extreme brightness, revealing lost textures in bright white clothes or sunlit background skies. 2. How should you send final photo files on WhatsApp to keep full quality? A) Take a screenshot of the photo and send it B) Send it as a standard Gallery image C) Send it as a 'Document' file D) Post it on your WhatsApp status first Answer: C — Sending photos as a 'Document' on WhatsApp bypasses image compression, delivering full-resolution images to your client. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 7: Editing short videos 7 minutes read WHY SHORT VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS MATTER Most clients do not want to sit through a three-hour full event recording every day. They want a short, lively video they can post on WhatsApp status, Instagram, or TikTok. A great one-minute highlight video of a wedding, funeral, or church service is often your best advertisement. When friends see the video on social media, they will ask for your contact number. You do not need an expensive computer to start editing. Free mobile apps like CapCut, InShot, or VN Video Editor run smoothly on modern smartphones. If you have a laptop, programs like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro give you extra control. The editing steps remain the same regardless of your screen size. STEP 1: ORGANIZE AND SELECT YOUR BEST CLIPS Before opening your editor, clean up your clips. If you shot 100 small video files at an event, delete the blurry clips, shaky starts, and times someone walked right in front of your lens. Keep only the sharp, interesting moments. - Group your clips by key moments: arrival, main ceremony, reactions, and celebration. - Rename your project folder clearly, such as 'Kofi_Wedding_Highlights_2024'. - Choose your strongest 15 to 25 short clips for a 60-second video. STEP 2: TRIM CLIPS AND CREATE A STORY ARC A good video tells a quick story with a beginning, middle, and end. Start with an opening shot that sets the scene, like the decorated venue sign or guests walking in. Move into the emotional main event, and finish with a strong celebration clip or a smiling portrait shot. Keep your video moving quickly. Cut out boring moments. Most individual clips in a fast highlight video should last between 1.5 and 3 seconds. If a shot stays on screen too long without action, viewers will swipe away. STEP 3: ADD MUSIC AND ALIGN CUTS TO THE BEAT Music creates the mood of the video. Select a track that matches the vibe of the event. A quiet church dedication needs soft gospel or instrumental music. A lively birthday party or traditional wedding needs high-energy Afrobeats or cultural drums. - Place your chosen music track on the audio timeline first. - Listen to the beat of the song. Look for strong drum hits or beat changes. - Trim your video cuts so that the video changes exactly when the beat hits. This makes the edit look professional and smooth. [Avoid copyright strikes and data loss] Using famous commercial songs can get your client's video muted or taken down on Instagram or YouTube. Use royalty-free music platforms or free audio libraries. Also, back up your raw video files on a USB drive or memory card before deleting anything from your phone. STEP 4: BALANCE YOUR SOUND AND TEXT If your video includes a spoken speech or wedding vow, lower the background music volume to around 20 percent during the speech. The voice must sound clear and sharp over the music. If the voice is hard to hear, turn on auto-captions in your editing app. Add clean text overlays for important details like the event date, couple's names, or church ministry name. Keep fonts simple and easy to read on small screens. [Try this today] Download CapCut or InShot on your phone. Take 5 short video clips of a street market, a pet, or a family meal. Trim each clip to 2 seconds, add a free background instrumental track, and align the cuts to the beat. Export a 10-second reel and check how smooth it looks. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the main reason to trim video clips so they change on the beat of the music? A) It saves battery power on your phone while editing B) It makes the video edit feel natural, engaging, and polished C) It automatically removes background noise from speech D) It reduces the file size of the final video export Answer: B — Cutting video clips on beat changes creates a visual rhythm that matches the sound. This gives the video high energy and a professional feel. 2. When using spoken audio like a wedding vow over background music, what should you do? A) Delete the voice and keep only the music B) Make the music louder than the voice so it feels dramatic C) Lower the background music so the voice stays crisp and clear D) Speed up the speech to double speed Answer: C — Background music must be lowered (ducked) so the audience can clearly hear spoken words like vows, speeches, or sermon highlights. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 8: Packages, contracts and clients 8 minutes read SETTING CLEAR PRICES FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS Pricing your services can feel tricky when you start out. If your price is too high, local clients will walk away. If your price is too low, you will work hard all day at a wedding or funeral and still lose money on transport, food, and mobile data. Instead of quoting random numbers over a WhatsApp call, create structured service packages. Packages show clients exactly what they get for their money and help you stand out as an organized business. DESIGNING THREE-TIER PACKAGE STRUCTURES Offering three simple options—Basic, Standard, and Premium—helps clients choose a price point that fits their budget without endless bargaining. - Basic Package: Ideal for small birthday parties or church programs. Includes 2 hours of coverage, 30 edited digital photos, and 1 short highlight video reel. - Standard Package: Ideal for standard weddings or funerals. Includes 6 hours of coverage, 150 edited digital photos, 1 photobook album, and a 3-minute video edit. - Premium Package: Full-day coverage, 2 creative camera operators, photobooks for parents, raw footage delivery, and full video coverage. Calculate your total expenses before setting final prices in your local currency (such as Naira, Cedis, or CFA). Remember to calculate battery charging costs, transport fees (like taxi or tro-tro fares), assistant pay, and your editing time. USING WRITTEN CONTRACTS TO PREVENT MISUNDERSTANDINGS Never agree to shoot an event based on a simple verbal promise. Misunderstandings happen easily. A client might expect 500 printed photos when you planned to deliver only digital files on a flash drive, or they might ask for their video the day after a full-day wedding. A basic contract keeps both you and the client safe. It can be a simple one-page printed document or a clear PDF sent over WhatsApp that the client agrees to in writing. - Names and contacts of both parties, plus the event date, time, and location. - List of deliverables (exact number of photos, photobook sizes, video length, and format). - Delivery timeline (for example, photos delivered within 14 working days). - Revision policy (limit free edits to one round of minor changes). [Protect your work with upfront deposits] Always demand a non-refundable deposit (usually 30% to 50%) before locking an event date in your calendar. Never deliver final un-watermarked high-resolution photos or final videos until the client pays the remaining balance. This protects you from cancelled events and unpaid work. MANAGING CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH CARE Great communication builds trust and brings repeat business. Answer client inquiries promptly and politely. Arrive at the venue at least thirty minutes before your scheduled start time to set up your gear and check venue lighting. If an unforeseen issue occurs—like delayed editing due to power outages—inform the client early on WhatsApp. Honest communication keeps clients calm and respects their time. [Try this today] Take a notebook and design 3 package levels for a weekend funeral or wedding in your local area. Put realistic price tags in your currency on each package. Include transport, editing hours, and profit in your numbers. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is it important to collect a deposit before an event date? A) It allows you to buy brand new camera lenses for every job B) It secures your time, covers initial costs, and protects against late cancellations C) It replaces the need to sign a contract D) It ensures the client will not ask for any changes to photos Answer: B — A non-refundable deposit ensures the client is serious, reserves your calendar, and covers basic upfront costs like transport or gear prep. 2. What should a clear photography contract always contain? A) A guarantee that every single guest will smile in photos B) The brand name of the camera body you plan to use C) Exact deliverables, event date, delivery timeline, and payment terms D) A promise to deliver all edited photos within 2 hours Answer: C — A good contract lists the specific date, deliverables, payment terms, and delivery dates so both parties have shared expectations. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 9: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 10: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- Event Photographer & Videographer — Lesson 11: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app