Case study · Community Associations Institute
Eight years as CAI’s event photo and video partner.
From Chicago high-rise tours to CAI’s national conference stage, Big Wave covers five CAI events a year, plus the shoots in between: event photography, a sponsored headshot lounge and video.
Chicago · Fort Lauderdale · Orlando · Dallas · Las Vegas · San Diego · San Antonio · Palm Springs · Tucson
Chicago · High-Rise Managers Workshop
Four Chicago high-rises, nine films.
Before the High-Rise Managers Workshop, CAI asked us to document the four host communities. A crew of two spent a full day on architectural photos, aerials and video in downtown Chicago, then returned to cover the workshop itself.
One highlight film, four building showcases and four mechanical systems films.
Workshop attendees later toured the same buildings. We floated between tour groups, from rooftop decks to chiller rooms, so every stop was covered.
The client
One crew for every CAI event.
CAI brings community association managers, homeowner leaders, attorneys and business partners together at national events throughout the year.
Each event needs general sessions, awards, expo halls, receptions and a headshot line that moves. CAI hires one team that already knows the format and the look, so nothing has to be explained twice. We travel to every city and send preview images each day.
Featured film
CommunityNOW 2026, in 90 seconds.
A promo film for CAI’s Annual Conference & Exposition, cut from b-roll our crew captured across two and a half days in Fort Lauderdale, alongside full photo coverage and headshots.
“So amazing. I love how you included the sound bites. The headshots look amazing as well. We love working with you.”
The CAI calendar
Five events a year, one standard.
Every event has its own room, audience and schedule. Each year we cover the CAI World Conference & Expo, the Community Association Law Seminar, the CEO-MC Retreat, the High-Rise Managers Workshop and the Large-Scale Managers Workshop.
Fort Lauderdale · Orlando · Dallas · Las Vegas
CommUNITY | CAI World Conference & Expo
Formerly the CAI Annual Conference & Exposition: CommunityNOW
CAI’s largest event. In 2026 a crew of three covered general sessions, awards, the expo hall and themed evening events, ran the headshot studio and shot the promo film.
- General sessions
- Awards
- Expo hall
- Receptions
- Promo video
San Diego · San Antonio · Las Vegas
Community Association Law Seminar
Keynotes, panels and breakouts for attorneys and managers, a waterfront reception and a headshot station on both days.
- Keynotes
- Panels
- Networking
- Headshots
San Antonio · Palm Springs · Tucson
CEO-MC Retreat
A smaller retreat for management company leaders: welcome party, keynotes, roundtables, sponsor booths and headshots.
- Welcome party
- Keynotes
- Sponsors
- Headshots
Sponsored headshot lounge
A headshot lounge with a sponsor’s name on it.
At CAI events, the headshot station is a sponsor activation. The sponsor’s name goes on the booking page, and attendees reserve free sessions between programs. For planners, the sponsorship can often more than cover the cost of the photographer.
We set up lighting near registration, keep the line moving and match every file to its name badge. Each portrait is retouched before delivery.
A community case study for CAI’s credentialing program.
For CAI’s credentialing team, we filmed a narrated tour of Green Run Homes Association in Virginia Beach: pools, playgrounds, trails and the work behind them.
The finished film gives community managers a real association to study, shown as it is.
How we work
Built for association events.
Plan the program
- Review the agenda and room map
- Build the shot list with staff
- Plan headshot hours and location
- Set crew size and travel
Cover every room
- General sessions and keynotes
- Awards and on-stage group photos
- Expo hall and sponsors
- Receptions, tours and headshots
Deliver fast
- Preview images each day
- Edited gallery after the event
- Headshots matched to names
- Unrestricted usage rights
Questions
Conference photography, answered.
What does conference photography coverage include?
General sessions, keynotes, breakouts, awards and on-stage group photos, the expo hall and sponsors, receptions and evening events. We plan coverage from your agenda and send preview images during the event.
Can you run a headshot station at our conference?
Yes. We bring studio lighting, set up near registration and photograph attendees between sessions. Every headshot is retouched and matched to the attendee’s name.
Can a sponsor pay for the headshot station?
Often, yes. CAI sells its headshot station as a sponsorship, and attendees book free sessions under the sponsor’s name. The sponsorship can often more than cover the cost of the photographer.
Do you travel for association events?
Yes. Our crew has covered CAI events in Florida, Nevada, Texas, California, Arizona, Illinois and Virginia.
Can you shoot video at the same event?
Yes. We capture b-roll alongside photo coverage and edit promo films, highlight reels and recap videos, like CAI’s CommunityNOW 2026 promo.
Your next event
Ready to show what your event feels like?
Send us your agenda and host city. We will plan the coverage, run the headshot studio and deliver photos and video your team can use all year.
Plan your conference shoot