In one week I have attended the opening of two prestigious new buildings at colleges in Oxford. The first was at Worcester College where the Duchess of Cornwall was doing the honours. The Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre is a new auditorium and rooms overlooking the rather beautiful grounds at Worcester. Through the windows are the playing fields encircled by mature trees and the cricket pavilion opposite.
On the day, spruced and suited, I arrived early to be sure I had final instructions and to walk the route and see the various locations. Events such as these can be stressful as there is only one chance to get it right and there are a number of moments that have to be caught.
I am always very conscious that I am not a press photographer, I am there to record the event for my client so concentrating in this case on the people from the college with the VIPs.
I knew my aim, to get the principles of the event; The Duchess, The Sultan and the Provost (head of college, Sir Jonathan Bate) in one shot with the building in view. The arrangements for the event meant that there would only be the one chance at this, as the Duchess left. I spoke with the organisers and asked if it could be arranged for these important people to walk together and this happened.
Duchess of Cornwall, Sultan Nazrin Shah and Sir Jonathan Bate, Provost Worcester College, Oxford
Event photography is demanding and requires technical skills and much experience to get it right, not just technically but to get the right feel for the event, the location and the client. The proof of success comes when the client expresses their thanks for a job very well done.
Please have a look at the other events I have covered on my Photography Events Page
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