Experienced event photographer.
Today, I'm a highly experienced event photographer with thousands of shoots behind me. But I remember well just how scary it was. Yes, I was still in training and the expectations were low, but they weren't for me. I wanted to deliver a quality product right out of the gate. Today, I still brace myself before any shoot, I feel that's a good thing. Yes I have a natural talent for taking pictures but I never take it for granted. I love a good party, and I still love shooting at the same time.
Wanted: event photographer: payment in booze
Early in my career I cut my teeth as a club event photographer. We had a local wine bar just down the road called Oblivion. We went there all the time, threw our names away and I'm happy to say, It's still going strong. Tracy and Iian, the owners, would trade me a small fee and free drinks to shoot. Yes, I worked for alcohol!
Perfect photography training ground:
Looking back it was a hugely valuable experience in becoming an event photographer. Lot's of drunk people, cramped space with everyone dancing made it a challenging shoot environment. It was a brilliant training ground for me. I also had a lot of fun doing it too and many people in the pictures are still friends to this day.
Oblivion Oscars Party 2007
These pictures were shot in 2007 on a Canon 1D MkII, if I say so myself, the pictures are still good! The photos embellish exactly what an event photographer should be capturing, the mood and essence of the event. People should see the pictures and wish they were there! If they were, they should share the crap out of those pictures!
Over 150 Oscar Party pictures:
There are over 150 pictures so get scrolling!
Conclusion:
If you're a budding photographer, get experience in a live environment, it's the best way to learn. Practicing will only get you so far, the real deal with train you faster than you can imagine.
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