Summer Event Photography
Last week, our team was out on location at three major industry events. A total of 6 photographers were capturing industry successes and awards/competitions/exhibitions/conference.
A crew of two at Grosvenor House last Monday, where we captured all the action at the Hospitality industry’s most coveted Awards, with Brian Turner winning the Lifetime Achievement Award and Nina Basset winning the Cateys Special Award.
We covered the ‘red carpet’, reception drinks, dinner, Cateys Stage Awards and The White Room, turning pictures around ready for press. Thanks to Ben and David.
We were with the IWSC and UK Sommelier Academy held at Christ Church Spitalfields, where sommeliers competed throughout the day, culminating with the final three Sommeliers, Jo Nerantzi, Dion Wai and Maria Boumpa, with Maria winning UK Sommelier of the Year 2025. Also, Brian Julyan MS won the Gerard Basset trophy.
The brief included competition capture, tastings, sponsors and the Champagne Pour. Head over to the IWSC website.
Thanks, Ben and the team at IWSC
Two full-packed days with a team of 3 at Hilton Metropole Birmingham with LACA Exhibition. A combination of conference, seminars with an incredible range of speakers, demos, competitions: Grab & Go, Finishing Touches, SCOTY, Exhibitors and Awards.
Our crew of 3 were there capturing all, Photography and Video Vox Pops
Thanks Adrian, Andrew and James
Event Photography Success Factors
The Brief
The brief is a critical document to be received in advance of the event in question, so there are no surprises and the right equipment is taken. There are some obvious reasons, such as location and timing. Parking is always a consideration as the photographer needs to bring equipment.
Reception
Are there red carpet shots required? Are there key figures/faces to capture?
Awards and Stage Shots
When it comes to Awards and Stage shots, this is important to know the list of awards and whether these need photographing beforehand. Positioning on the stage can be marked with gaffer tape to ensure there’s consistency with composition and final imagery. Agreeing with the AV team, the timings of the awards and to know that the lighting will be adjusted from the main event to accommodate stage lighting (ie strobe paused).
Competition
In a competition setting, winning shots are critical for media and to help promote next year’s event, so as much information needs to be shared with the photographer in advance. Sometimes the winner is shared with the photographer so the photography can be optimised.
White Room set-up
The use of a white backdrop or a bespoke backdrop with sponsors needs to be set up in a specific area with lighting ready to shoot. Backdrops need to be arranged/printed in advance and need to be the correct size, which needs to be checked with the photographer.
Image Turnaround
Agreed turnaround time of images with the client in advance, together with access codes. Normally, a set of images for press and media by the following morning, with others to follow within an agreed timeframe.