Last weekend I covered my first big(ish) event as a photographer. The Nottingham GLBT Pride march and party.
I saw it as a huge learning curve as well as a great opportunity to expand my portfolio and at the same time I got some very good free publicity. In exchange for the photos I got a page in the official brochure and I get full credits on any published photos I give them.
So, what did I learn and how did it go?
The first thing I picked up very quickly was to keep my cameras switched on ALL of the time. I had a bad habit of turning my cameras off without thinking about it and I soon learnt that it got very annoying having to keep turning them back on when I pressed the shutter release and nothing happened. Only a small thing but I missed a few shots because of it early on in the day.
I also learnt how physically demanding the day was. I started at about 6am and finished at about 8pm before collapsing in my car. Carrying my cameras around all day, trying to spot the special shot and anticipating the best positions all while being baked in wonderful sunshine is bloody hard work no matter how much fun it is. Pace yourself and take a break from time to time.
Take something to eat and drink. Events like this are draining on you, take salt and glucose tablets to keep you going and TAKE LOTS OF WATER to drink. It’s no good giving up halfway through the event because you forgot your water. And take a sun hat. There is very little shade most of the time and you will miss the good shots if your standing under a tree keeping out of the sun.
I was lucky and as the official photographer on the day I got full access on the stage and back stage, but be nice to the other photographers and help them out if you can. But at the same time, if you have worked hard to get a position that should give you a unique shot then keep that position to yourself. There no reward in putting all the work in and then handing the shot of the day to the other guy. And if any of the other togs who where there on the day are here. . . . Hi, Great seeng you
Be nice to the guests, organisers and bands. They are there to earn a living and to promote themselves, so they are happy and even keen to get their photos taken but at the same time it’s a long day for them as well so don’t be there all the time sticking the end of your lens up their noses just to catch an embarrassing shot. Don’t forget to say thanks if they deliberately give you a good shot. It makes everyone feel good.
And say thank you to the audience and crowds. When they wave or give you thumb’s up to make a shot extra personal or special they are helping you and they will help even more if they think you appreciate them.
But the VERY MOST important thing I discovered was to enjoy yourself and not take things too seriously all of the time. Put your camera down (but don’t take your hand off it or it will be gone) and just look around you and smile.
Hope this helps some of the others like me who and just starting out. Don’t hold back, hunt down an event, contact the organisers and offer your services. The experience is priceless
And as for the results of the day. I’m happy with them, and so is the customer. Have a peek
Have fun
Debs
The Main March
The Main Stage
Back Stage
I saw it as a huge learning curve as well as a great opportunity to expand my portfolio and at the same time I got some very good free publicity. In exchange for the photos I got a page in the official brochure and I get full credits on any published photos I give them.
So, what did I learn and how did it go?
The first thing I picked up very quickly was to keep my cameras switched on ALL of the time. I had a bad habit of turning my cameras off without thinking about it and I soon learnt that it got very annoying having to keep turning them back on when I pressed the shutter release and nothing happened. Only a small thing but I missed a few shots because of it early on in the day.
I also learnt how physically demanding the day was. I started at about 6am and finished at about 8pm before collapsing in my car. Carrying my cameras around all day, trying to spot the special shot and anticipating the best positions all while being baked in wonderful sunshine is bloody hard work no matter how much fun it is. Pace yourself and take a break from time to time.
Take something to eat and drink. Events like this are draining on you, take salt and glucose tablets to keep you going and TAKE LOTS OF WATER to drink. It’s no good giving up halfway through the event because you forgot your water. And take a sun hat. There is very little shade most of the time and you will miss the good shots if your standing under a tree keeping out of the sun.
I was lucky and as the official photographer on the day I got full access on the stage and back stage, but be nice to the other photographers and help them out if you can. But at the same time, if you have worked hard to get a position that should give you a unique shot then keep that position to yourself. There no reward in putting all the work in and then handing the shot of the day to the other guy. And if any of the other togs who where there on the day are here. . . . Hi, Great seeng you
Be nice to the guests, organisers and bands. They are there to earn a living and to promote themselves, so they are happy and even keen to get their photos taken but at the same time it’s a long day for them as well so don’t be there all the time sticking the end of your lens up their noses just to catch an embarrassing shot. Don’t forget to say thanks if they deliberately give you a good shot. It makes everyone feel good.
And say thank you to the audience and crowds. When they wave or give you thumb’s up to make a shot extra personal or special they are helping you and they will help even more if they think you appreciate them.
But the VERY MOST important thing I discovered was to enjoy yourself and not take things too seriously all of the time. Put your camera down (but don’t take your hand off it or it will be gone) and just look around you and smile.
Hope this helps some of the others like me who and just starting out. Don’t hold back, hunt down an event, contact the organisers and offer your services. The experience is priceless
And as for the results of the day. I’m happy with them, and so is the customer. Have a peek
Have fun
Debs
The Main March
The Main Stage
Back Stage
