After shooting events for most of my life, I’ve learned something that may sound counterintuitive:
The less you move, the better your work—and the better the experience for everyone else in the room.
Don’t get me wrong. I still get up. I still move. I still chase moments. But when I can do my job well from a seated position, I’m far less distracting to the audience and to the production team running the show. That matters—especially when you’re working events with live broadcasts, multiple cameras, and thousands of people in the room.
Over the years, I’ve learned that where you sit can be just as important as what lens you choose.
And this year, a surprisingly simple tool made a bigger difference than I expected: custom Reserved Chair Signs.
Why Staying Seated Matters at Large Events
Whenever possible, I prefer to shoot from a seated position with a clean view of the main stage. I usually choose an aisle seat—ideally on the end—so that when I do need to stand or move for a different angle, I’m not forcing an entire row of attendees to shuffle around me.
It’s about respect.
Respect for the audience who paid to be there.
Respect for the speakers on stage.
Respect for the production team managing 10+ live cameras, steady cams, jib arms, and broadcast cues.
If I’m constantly popping up in someone’s peripheral vision or crossing sightlines, I’m not helping anyone—even if I’m getting the shot.
The Challenge of Multi-Day Events
Reserving a seat for a one-day event is fairly simple. Multi-day events? That’s where things get tricky.
One of the primary events I cover each year is Chick-fil-A’s annual meeting—an event with over 10,000 operators, staff, and spouses. There’s a massive main stage, breakout sessions throughout the day, and an expo area that everyone disperses to. But each day, everyone comes back to that same main stage.
I’ve worked closely with the production team there for years. Still, when you’re dealing with a crew of 100+ people and constant room resets between sessions, it’s easy for a seat reservation to get lost—or for me to get forgotten in the shuffle.
That usually meant reintroducing myself, re-explaining why I needed a specific seat, or—worse—scrambling at the last minute before the program started.
This year, I decided to solve that problem myself.
Enter: Custom Reserved Chair Signs
I ordered a pack of ten generic Reserved Chair signs from Amazon. Simple. Inexpensive. Nothing fancy.
Then I took them to 92 Threads, the same place I use for logo work on clothing, and asked if they could put my logo on them. They digitally printed my branding directly onto the signs.
The result? Clean. Professional. Clear.
These weren’t “temporary placeholders.” They looked intentional—like they belonged in the room.
Scouting the Right Seat (This Part Matters)
In years past, the stage was round, and I used to reserve two seats on opposite sides so I could adjust based on where the speakers were facing. I wish I had those custom signs.
I arrived the day before and scouted for a great seat.
When choosing your spot, here’s what I always consider:
- Distance:
You don’t want to be so close that you’re shooting up someone’s nose, and you don’t want to be so far back that you need a super-telephoto just to fill the frame. - Angle:
A slight angle is usually better than dead center—especially for storytelling shots that feel more dimensional. - Sightlines:
Heads are your enemy. Even one person leaning forward can ruin a shot.
The front middle section was too close for my taste. Instead, I chose the second section, which had a huge 10+ foot gap used by steady cams and foot traffic. That gap gave me breathing room, clean sightlines, and flexibility.
I picked the front row, far-left aisle seat in that section—and placed my Reserved Chair Sign there.
That seat became the home base for the entire event.
An Unexpected Bonus
Something happened this year that genuinely surprised me.
Not only was my seat always there when I arrived, but the operators also began looking for it. Some even wanted to sit next to me.
After 17 years of covering Chick-fil-A’s meetings, that was new.
The sign didn’t just reserve a chair—it quietly communicated:
- I belong here
- I have a role
- This seat serves a purpose
And because I wasn’t constantly moving or disrupting anyone, it actually made people more comfortable—not less.
Less Distraction = Better Storytelling
At the end of the day, this isn’t about claiming territory or being precious about a seat.
It’s about doing your job well without becoming part of the show.
When you can work efficiently, predictably, and unobtrusively:
- The audience stays engaged
- The production team trusts you
- The cameras stay clean
- The story comes first
For anyone who regularly shoots large events—especially multi-day ones—custom Reserved Chair Signs are a small investment with an outsized return.
I only wish I’d done it years ago.
All photos shot on Nikon Z9 with either 100-400mm Z or 24-120mm Z