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Photographing events is more than just snapping pictures it’s about telling a story. Over the years, I’ve developed a workflow that helps me capture the vibe of each event while overcoming challenges on the field. Here’s a peek into my process, from preparation to post-editing.
Planning the "Attack" Before heading to any event, I like to prepare thoroughly. This starts with researching the venue and having a detailed conversation with the client. I ask about:
On-Site WorkflowOn the day of the event, I make sure to arrive early. This gives me time to get a feel for the venue and capture product or merchandise shots before guests arrive. As the event picks up, I shift to candid and portrait photography. When photographing guests, I always ask politely if they’d like their photo taken—it’s a great way to make them feel comfortable. Two challenges I often face during events are:
Post-Event Editing Once the event wraps up, the real work begins. I immediately start culling the photos using FastStone Image Viewer to select the best shots that tell the story of the event. Then, I apply a custom preset I’ve created for initial edits, followed by fine-tuning each photo to enhance details and textures. By the next day, the photos are ready to be delivered—capturing not just the visuals but the energy and emotion of the event. Conclusion Every event is unique, and my ultimate goal is to capture a wonderful story filled with joy and happiness. I aim to document moments that clients can cherish forever. However, my journey as a photographer doesn’t stop here. I’m always looking to improve my workflow by studying the work of other event photographers and practicing daily. Photography is an ever-evolving art, and I’m committed to growing with it, one event at a time.
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Working with Theatre Peckham as a photographer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career so far. But how did it all begin? It started with a simple idea: to build my portfolio and gain hands-on experience as an event photographer. I decided to reach out to a few non-profit organizations, offering my services on a volunteer basis. One of those cold emails led me to Theatre Peckham. I received a reply from Andrea, the theatre’s manager, who invited me to meet and discuss my intentions. During our conversation, I explained that my goal was to hone my skills and expand my portfolio to advance my career. Andrea appreciated my honesty and enthusiasm, and she assured me I’d be considered for future opportunities. A few weeks later, I got the call: they were hosting a Black Heritage Month event and wanted me to photograph it. Unfortunately, due to a mix-up, I was given the wrong start time. Despite arriving after the main event had wrapped up, I decided to make the best of the situation. I focused on capturing candid moments of people interacting, some posed portraits, and my favourite shot of the evening a dynamic group photo of actors and actresses, taken using an external flash.  When I sent the photos to Theatre Peckham’s marketing team, their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. They loved the images, even with the timing mishap. From there, more opportunities followed: dress rehearsals, live performances, parties, and public events. One of my favourite experiences was photographing a dress rehearsal for Cleopatra’s Anthony. The production was visually stunning but also technically challenging due to low lighting and vivid colour shifts. My Sony A6600, while reliable, struggles in dim conditions, but I saw this as an opportunity rather than a limitation. By adjusting my angles and experimenting with levels, I was able to immerse myself in the story unfolding on stage and capture its essence in every shot.
Another highlight was The Power of Representation event, which I was invited to photograph while working on a project for The Camberwell Quarterly. This was a packed day, requiring me to cover two workshops, take headshots of guest speakers and attendees, and capture the panel discussion at the end. To top it off, some key figures from Netflix’s Supa Cell were present, including cast members like Michael Salami and the show’s director. The energy of the event and the significance of its message made it an unforgettable experience. What I love most about photographing theatre productions is capturing the raw emotions—whether verbal, physical, or both—that tell a story. A single expression or movement can convey a world of meaning, and my goal is to immortalize those moments in my work. I want my photographs to resonate with viewers, allowing them to interpret the narrative through the emotions captured in the frame.  It’s incredibly rewarding to see Theatre Peckham use my photos on their Instagram and website. It feels like a true acknowledgment of my work and provides a significant boost to my social media presence and portfolio.
Looking back, working with Theatre Peckham has been an amazing journey. I’m not sure where this path will take me—perhaps I’ll become an in-house photographer for them, or maybe it will lead to opportunities with event agencies. Regardless, I’m grateful for the experiences so far and excited to see where my photography journey takes me next. Exciting News! A couple of my photographs have been featured in the latest issue of Camberwell Quarterly! As a photographer, this is a huge milestone for me. Seeing my work published in the magazine, even digitally, felt incredibly rewarding. There's also going to be a physical edition, and I can’t wait to grab a copy to share with friends, family, and future clients.
How It All Began My journey with Camberwell Quarterly started with a leap of faith: cold-emailing organizations to offer my photography services, hoping to support local charities while building my portfolio. One of those emails went to SE5 Forum. After waiting for a few days without a reply, I decided to take a proactive approach. I visited their market stall on a Saturday, introduced myself, and handed my business card to Sophy, one of the members there, showcasing my website. Sophy mentioned that they’d keep me in mind for future photography opportunities. A few weeks later, I got an email from Sophy with a new assignment: photographing a Mulberry workshop where volunteers were clearing dead leaves and branches to support the growth of the Mulberry tree in the area. I felt both nervous and excited—emotions that often blur together for me. I was determined to do my best. At the event, I captured a mix of candid moments, close-ups of the Mulberry tree, and a group shot to highlight the spirit of the workshop. The event was a success, and the editor of Camberwell Quarterly, Marie Stranton, loved the photos. She invited me to an editorial meeting, marking the start of my journey as a volunteer photographer for the magazine, covering nature, events, and editorial stories. It’s been a fantastic experience so far.
Discovering a Golden Opportunity: Work experience for a job can be tough to find, but I was fortunate to find it through a flyer at a Jamaican takeaway shop. After a hard gym session, I decided to get some food at a shop called Patty Island. While waiting in line, I noticed a flyer for a Summer Cultural Market sale. Excited about the potential for event photography, I examined the flyer thoroughly, noting the Instagram link and a phone number. I checked their Instagram to see what I might be working with if I got this freelance job opportunity as an event photographer. The photos on their feed were poorly composed and the lighting was too dark. Seeing this as a golden opportunity to create value for them and gain testimonials, exposure, and credit, I collected my food, rushed home, and devoured my rice and peas with jerk chicken. Then, I called the number on the flyer. I was filled with anticipation and worry, expecting possible rejection because they didn’t know me and might assume I wanted to be a vendor. Making the Call: Eventually, someone picked up. I introduced myself as Ahmed, explaining that I was an aspiring photographer seeking free work experience. I offered to photograph their event in exchange for high-quality photos and credit for my work. The person liked the idea and said they would get back to me, but I didn’t hear from them later that afternoon and evening. Taking Initiative: The next day, I texted the event organizer on WhatsApp, assuming the person I spoke with yesterday was different. I repeated my offer in text format, and she responded with a thumbs up. Unsure if this meant I could come in that day, I decided to gather my camera gear and go to the event location. Feeling a mix of excitement and fear of rejection, I took the bus, knowing that showing up in person could demonstrate my seriousness. Presenting My Proposal: The event was held in a big hall with tungsten lights, off-white brick walls, and some exposed electrical systems. The venue was bustling with vendors showcasing African and Caribbean cultures. I asked around for the event organizers and met Rudy and Joana. Joana recognized my voice from our phone conversation and explained she had been too busy to get back to me. She asked me to remind her of my proposal and how it would benefit their business. I reiterated that I wanted to take photographs of the event for my portfolio, in exchange for high-quality photos and credit for my work. They were happy with the offer and allowed me to take photographs of the event, with the understanding that I would show them the photos afterward so they could see what I had produced. The Event Experience: I didn’t have a detailed plan, but I knew to respect people’s right to not be photographed if they didn’t want to be. While photographing, I tried to engage with the vendors about their products and asked questions about marketing and outreach—important skills for getting more job opportunities in photography. I took a variety of shots: portrait shots of the vendors, product photography of items related to the event, and candid shots of people interacting. I aimed for great candid shots because they capture people living in the moment, but my 18-55mm lens limited my ability to zoom in on interactions and centre them in the shot. Reflection and Lessons Learned: I really enjoyed my time as a freelance event photographer. Interacting with people and taking their photos was fun, and the event was rife with networking opportunities. Several people asked for my business card for future photography work. I learned that I need a better zoom lens and should avoid looking at my camera after each shot, instead actively engaging with people at the event. Maintaining a positive vibe is crucial; taking photos and then walking away gives off a bad impression. Planning for Future Events:
Before attending an event, thorough planning is essential. Visiting the venue beforehand to note key factors such as weather conditions and event start times is crucial. Arriving early allows for equipment setup and test shots to determine the best settings. Observing other event photographers such as Jesse De Young, can provide valuable insights and help improve my techniques. Mastering Camera Settings: Mastering camera settings is paramount for capturing high-quality photos. I aim to create images with sharply focused subjects and beautifully blurred backgrounds. Practicing and learning the appropriate settings for ISO, shutter speed, and aperture is essential. Keeping a notebook with these settings and making adjustments based on the environment will help ensure consistently good results. Inspiration and Future Goals: Overall, this experience was wonderful and has inspired me to develop and improve as a photographer. I truly love taking photographs and aspire to make a living from it. This motivates me to gain as much experience as possible to pursue photography full-time. The event taught me new technical skills for controlling exposure and depth of field, as well as how to conduct myself professionally. Most importantly, it reminded me to have fun and promote good vibes at events. |
