I have been a commercial event photographer for over a decade. Amongst other things I photograph weddings, private events of all sizes, corporate functions, charity galas, public gatherings, sports and concerts. Photography is an essential element in the success of any event.
Beyond that, photography is a core component of books, magazines, marketing, advertising, social media. In personal life, photos are the key to memory. I’ve been a commercial photographer as part of my project work for decades. Hiring a photographer is money well spent, my clients find.
Photography of course takes many forms. Babies and toddlers? I’m not your guy. On-location shoots by waterfalls, in orchards and parks? Weddings? Model TFP? Boudoir? I am your guy.
I can’t and won’t share personal images as a matter of ethics, and corporate ones can’t be shared as a matter of contract. But I can share examples of those taken at some public events.
And I can share images of my wonderful wife, such as this one taken during a hike in the worst possible midday sun. This day out is in my personal memory bank. More on that later.
Landscapes
Somewhere In Niagara is my brand for landscapes. There is plenty to see beyond the famous falls. To relax, my favourite way to spend a weekend is to drive the back roads and hike the hidden trails of Niagara. Why not book a session and come with me, on a unique Hike With A Photographer outing into nowhere? I think you will enjoy it.
When alone with my drone (I hold an Advanced RPAS rating) and DSLR camera, I search out hidden spots to take unique photos that appeal to me. Those I deem good enough are put into a gallery on my photography site. From here, they can be purchased as prints, canvas wraps, framed images, calendars, and many other items. Or just browsed and enjoyed as they should be, uncompressed by social media platforms. Of course, the best way to see an image is on the wall, three feet wide or more across. Images on my photography site are optimized for that. I mean that. Putting my money where my mouth is, I have a half dozen of my own prints on our walls. Each one a memory. And they look great, if I do say so myself. OK, pitch over.
Event Photography
I expanded my photography from boring old catalog work and product photography into event photography many years ago. I’ve shot many. Including multi-day conferences in Times Square, New York, and the PGA National golf course in Palm Springs, Florida. Destination events? Certainly. Have passport, will travel. Seriously, get in touch.
My candid photography style appeals to many. I can do all the usual formals, of course. The corporate stuff too. I get hired mainly for my ability to capture emotion in those… unguarded moments.
Memories fade
My mission in life is ultimately to bring this gift of photography to others. To document life events and moments. To bring smiles in years to come. Memories for parents, children, grandchildren. Colleagues. Spouses. In print, framed, on the wall, or to share on social media. Which brings me to the key point I want to make here. My personal reasons for believing photography to be so very, very important.
I have no shoe box full of photographs from my youth. No albums. Only a few images of my parents. My dad died when I was seven. I have few real memories of him. Two or three black and white images of my grandparents. They died the same year, give or take. Not a good year. As the youngest of my family, I missed most of the events my older siblings look back on with fondness. There is a disconnect between us: I don’t share their memories. My only connection to those days long gone are my own fading memories. I promised myself I won’t let that happen again.
I take photos all the time. I document every day with images. Each new photograph brings memories flooding back. I remember sights. Sounds. Tastes. Emotions. For me, it’s personal. A mission. And I take that mindset with me to every. Single. Shoot.
This requires responsibility. Tact. Discretion. Though I see everything, I say nothing. I’ve earned a reputation for never seeing things I shouldn’t see. As the phrase goes, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Or as we say in Yorkshire, where I am from, “Hear all, see all, say nowt”. This is a very valuable skill.
Take The Shot
Let me be clear, I want to be hired. That said, with the abundance of cell phones today, there is no good reason for any event to go unrecorded. Whether you hire me or not, I urge everyone to wave your cell phones around as much as you can. Take the shot. Make the memory. I say this as someone hired for ecants that has more than once had to literally use elbows to get through the crowd. See this wedding image, captured when I turned around during a cake cutting at a wedding.
As the photographer for this event I can say this: Better too many photos than too few – though please, if you see a photographer, do try to get out of the way. We are there for a reason, let us do our job. I’m talking to you, uncle Bob.
I’m not a camera snob. I use smartphones myself. Great in a pinch, and the best camera is always the one you have with you. To get the best image still requires a camera, someone that knows how to use it, and a good eye. As well as maybe tripods, light stands, lights, flags, backdrops, flashes, modifiers. Good photography needs someone with not only a good eye but with post-processing experience to make the photos shine. To take out the stray hairs and remove fingers from kids noses. Remove photobombers. Take away the bunny ears your friend made behind you. Yes, that happens all the time. Alcohol is wonderful.
Complex edits, like taking out the officiant as I did below cannot yet be done by AI or apps. They require time and practice. To good effect. This image became a poster that still graces their home today. Photoshop skills for the win.
Photo Extras
If you want to make your event truly memorable, a coffee table book, plaque, or printed wall art made by a working photographer (and print professional) that has fully learned their craft over the years are very hard to beat. And, of course, we can often add some Photoshop sparkle to your event. To circle back to what I said earlier, I am passionate about giving you memories. About making sure everything about your day is captured. I think that’s important. Whether it’s a wedding, or a trade show, or a conference. Whether by me or an army of guests with cell phones. So get in touch.
Anyway. That’s my five cents. But my cameras, my skills, my passion… I do think these will always give the best results. Because I care, and because I can. Your day. My cameras. The most magical memories. Let’s make something special.
