Shot List

Event Shot List: Capture Every Moment That Matters

A simple, ready-to-use shot list so nothing important slips by on event day.

Event days move fast, and once a moment is gone, it’s gone — the winning putt, the sponsor’s activation in full swing, the group photo before everyone scatters. This shot list keeps whoever’s behind the camera organized and focused on what actually matters, so you walk away with content you can use for marketing, sponsor follow-up, and promoting next year’s event. Print it, hand it to your photographer or volunteer, and check moments off as the day unfolds.

It works for any event type — golf tournaments, pickleball events, multi-sport fundraisers, and more. The action changes by sport; the moments worth capturing don’t.

What this helps you do

• Capture the key moments consistently, instead of hoping someone got them
• Make sure sponsors get the visibility they paid for
• Document the full arc of the event experience
• Gather a library of content for social, recaps, and next year
• Avoid the “we never got a photo of that” regret

The shot list

Use this during your event to guide photos and video:

Simple capture rules

A few habits that make the difference between usable content and a phone full of throwaways:

• Shoot wide, medium, and close for every key moment — variety gives you options later.
• Favor people and energy over empty scenes — a great photo has faces in it.
• Capture sponsor logos with real interaction — a sign with people around it beats a sign alone, and it’s what sponsors actually want.
• Take both photos and short video clips — reels and recaps need motion.
• If it feels important, capture it twice — you’ll be glad you did.

Content goals to hit

Concrete targets so you know you’ve got enough to work with:

• 20+ clear sponsor logo shots
• 30+ people-focused photos
• 10+ group and team photos
• 10–15 short video clips
• 3–5 strong “hero” shots that capture the whole event

Hit these and you’ll have more than enough to fuel a recap, thank every sponsor, and promote next year.

How the shot list is structured

The list moves through five phases that follow the day:

Setup phase — Capture the foundation before guests arrive, while signage is clean and the venue is fresh.

Live event phase — Focus on action, energy, and participation — the heart of your content.

Sponsor phase — Document brand visibility and real engagement, the shots that prove value to your partners.

Story phase — Capture emotion, impact, and community — the moments that tell why the day mattered.

Closing phase — Document the results and the final moments, from winners to the last group photo.

Who this is for

• Events capturing their own content rather than hiring a full crew
• Small teams or volunteer photographers who need a clear guide
• Organizers who want better recap content than scattered phone pics
• Anyone who doesn’t want to miss the moments that matter

How to use it

1. Review it before the event so you know what you’re after.
2. Keep it accessible during the day — printed, or on your photographer’s phone.
3. Check off moments as they happen so nothing gets forgotten in the rush.
4. Prioritize sponsors, people, and energy if you have to choose — those are the shots that get used.

Once you’ve captured it all, put it to work: see our event photography guide for the strategy behind it, our social content prompts for what to post, and our post-event follow-up guide for turning it into recaps and sponsor thank-yous.

When you’re ready, list your event on Colorado Under Par to reach participants across the state.