So you’ve got an important event or gathering you’d like to document… Photography of your event not only comes down to getting a wide variety of shots and angles of highlights, but also capturing the emotions and subtle moments everyone present is experiencing. Combine that with a knowledge of lighting and composition to create lasting impactful images. Consider hiring a professional to tell your story-

Prime Meridian Photography captures the subtle details and human emotion that make all the difference between taking snapshots and making great images. Whether it’s an informal family gathering or celebration, a business or corporate retreat, award ceremony or other formal event, one element is constant throughout and that is the human element. We aren’t just making photographs. We are capturing moments in time.

As an example, I was recently hired to photograph a business retreat for a company who’s employees were spread out across the U.S. and only knew each other through remote connections online, and had never met in person before. The company CEO had the forethought to arrange a retreat to gather everyone together in a beautiful large home in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia where they bonded over some local adventures the area has to offer such as kayaking, river rafting, hiking, zip lining and more. At the home, he didn’t want the distraction and awkwardness of everyone taking out their phones to take selfies or someone designated to take a group photo- who wouldn’t be able to be in the photograph themself!

The CEO realized that this was an important moment for his company, and their morale, and to put back the human element missing in many employees “remote work” environment. Although informal it would be nice to capture everyone together, as we know these moments have been a rarity in today’s world.

After receiving a bit of information about the location and what was needed, I envisioned how I wanted the photographs to look- but more so how they would FEEL to the viewer. I know the CEO expected little more than snapshots of people having a good time, but when shooting any assignment I try to really squeeze in an element of warmth and humanity, and that is done with perspectives, angles, choice of lens focal length, type of lighting and of course when all those things come together, pressing the shutter at just the right moment.

The specific moment I was commissioned to document was around a fire pit in the back yard, surrounded by a beautiful wooded area in Bolivar, West Virginia. As this is more of an informal moment, I asked everyone to try and ignore me- the guy running around with a camera! I was able to capture many candid moments and turned many simple actions such as a simple conversation or someone adding wood to the fire into great images that help remember the spirit of the moment for everyone there.

Moments like these make lasting memories.

After hearing the story behind the company and how the fellow employees had never met in person prior to this event, I appreciated the effort to gather everyone to strengthen relationships perhaps build new friendships. I needed to show this in my images.

Once guests adjusted to having a photographer present, they became more relaxed and this is when some of the best images were made. It wasn’t until guests had time to relax and let their guards down a bit that I began to ask for some group photos as these can be tough for people to relax and not look so stiff. Head shots or portraits were not planned, and weren’t mentioned until after my arrival. Being prepared to flow with changes and adapt is important to shooting on location, and this sometimes means having additional equipment on hand to get the job done should the need arise. With this in mind I packed an additional strobe, stands and sand bags (it was windy) in the event supplemental lighting was needed and in this case it was, especially for the suggested head shots on the fly.

View  examples of some compelling images from this informal assignment below

For general information about rates and booking click here.  For a better estimate of rates for your event or other photography needs, please reach out and contact me at David@pmeridianphoto.com

Event Photography