Photographing an event such as a summer ball or a school prom is quite a challenge. Lots of people to photograph in a very short space of time. Restricted space. Sometimes ‘difficult’ subjects.  Many photographers won’t touch this sort of commission with a barge pole. ‘Grip and Grin’ or ‘Firing Squad’ (line ‘em up and shoot ‘em) are two of the derogatory terms often heard in photography circles to describe this sort of work.

Our view is a bit different. We think that with the right approach, equipment and technique you can take great photographs at an event and they don’t have to look down-market or cheesy. Our objective is to get results that are 90% as good as we can create in the studio or on a location shoot, but do it in a fraction of the time.

Last weekend we photographed the leavers’ ball for Northampton School for Boys. It was the second time we’ve photographed this event. Last year we did outdoor portraits at the Guildhall. This year we were indoors at the Park Inn. Different challenges, same underlying approach.

I teamed up with an event specialist to print these photographs on the night. That means getting everything right in camera first time and printing  shots with no editing (normally we edit every picture before a client sees it).

If you are looking for someone to photograph your prom, ball or other event with flair and style, contact us and see if we can help!

Here’s a few of my favourite pictures from the prom:

Model: Ellie
Hair and makeup: Toni Perryman

Working to a very strict brief and governed by hair competition entry guidelines these images were created in our studio earlier this year.  Lola Williams, our picture editor, edited these images to the very highest standard and one of them is now in the hands of the competition judges.  We’re immensely proud of them and hope that the judges agree and give Toni the credit she deserves!

Olney-based musician Dan Evans is a world-class dulcimer player and guitarist.  We shot these images today in our studio for Dan to use on his upcoming CD artwork and for his new web site.  Taking interesting and original pictures of musicians in action is quite a challenge.  Interesting angles, light, and of course the setting in our rural studio helped a lot.  A great way to spend a Friday morning!