Birmingham / west midlands event photographer


BUCES Industrial Dinner


Here goes my first blog post..


Earlier this week, I had the opportfunity to photograph the Birmingham University Chemical Engieneering Society's (BUCES) Industrial Dinner. This is an event bringing together Chemical Engineering students from the University of Birmingham with major employers in the field such as ExxonMobil, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.


The idea behind the dinner is fantastic! Networking events can often result in feeling pressure or feeling rushed in your discussions, so what better way to slow things down than to enjoy some fine dining and have an evening of relaxed conversation.  


Elegant table setting at a formal event with a modern lantern centerpiece and crystal glassware in a banquet room.

Canon R6 + SP35mm f/1.8 | 1/125 sec | f/1.8 | ISO 500


Edgbaston Park Hotel, a venue I know very well, is situated in Edgbaston and is a stone's throw away from the University itself so is very popular with student events.


I began the evening with a few detail/establishing shots of the venue. I always like to arrive early for this as I can get the creative juices flowing before the scheduled start time.

Business professionals review product documentation and marketing materials during a corporate meeting.
Two people in formal attire shake hands and exchange documents during a business meeting.
Professional business people engaged in conversation during a conference or networking event in a hotel ballroom.

Once things were underway, I set about capturing the initial interfactions between students and employers.


My style of photography is to roam around and look for those candid natural moments and as the guests streamed in, there were plenty of photo opportunities! The lighting at Edgbaston Park Hotel is always brilliant and the white ceilings make bouncing the flash a joy, resulting in photos like the ones above.


As you can see below though, I am always happy to take a posed photo when asked!

A group of groomsmen in dark suits and ties pose together at an elegant indoor venue.

Canon R6 + SP35mm f/1.8 | 1/125 sec | f/2.0 | ISO 500


The "Dinner" part of this event made things challenging as my unwritten rule (which technically is now written) is to never photograph people while eating.


I very rarely budge on this rule for two main reasons. The first is that 99% of the time, you will not look good while eating. This leads into reason number two in that people know they don't look good eating and will react uncomfortably to the camera.


The last thing I want to do is have a negative effect on guests so a lot of my evening was spent observing tables and picking the moments inbetween meals to capture shots.

Guests enjoy laughter and conversation during an elegant dinner party at a restaurant table.

Canon R6 + EF85mm f/1.8 | 1/160 sec | f/2.0 | ISO 400


 

Two people sit at a dining table with wine glasses during what appears to be a business meeting or discussion.

Canon R6 + EF85mm f/1.8 | 1/160 sec | f/2.0 | ISO 640


 

This kind of event photography is a joy for me as the attendees were there to meet potential employers, so the focus was less on taking photos and more their interactions with other guests. There were only four photos the entire evening where people asked me to take a photo, the rest were candids. It was genuinely was a pleasure to be invited down and I wish the best of luck for the students throughout their time at university and in their job searches.


If you’re organising a corporate dinner, student ball, or university networking event in the West Midlands, I’d love to help capture it! Take a look at my event photography in Birmingham and get in touch through my contact page.

A group of young people dressed in formal attire stand together at an elegant event with geometric carpet patterns.
Business professionals networking and viewing presentation materials at a corporate conference event.
Elegant guest in a black formal dress holds a wine glass at an upscale evening event.
Two people in burgundy dresses share a joyful moment at an office event.
A group of young professionals in business attire having an informal conversation in an office setting.
A series of candid photos showing people interacting and smiling in an office or professional setting.
Dark exterior nighttime view of illuminated commercial buildings with glass windows and architectural lighting.
A group of friends huddle together looking at a phone screen during dinner at a restaurant table with wine glasses.
A person in a navy blue suit gestures while speaking at a business presentation in a conference room.
Server carrying a wooden box through a formal dining event.
Guests engaged in conversation at an elegant indoor banquet with warm lighting and formal table settings.
Corporate event with sponsor logos displayed on screens in a dimly lit conference venue.
Business presentation slide showing text and floral graphics projected on screen in dimly lit room.
Guests in formal attire enjoying conversation at a dinner table with wine glasses.
Black and white photo of people gathered at a dining table engaged in lively conversation.
Wide shot of diverse group seated at tables in modern conference or event space.
A series of candid moments captured at an elegant wedding reception showing guests signing a guestbook.
Formal event attendees engaged in conversation at an elegant indoor gathering.
Business professionals having a conversation in a hotel lobby with modern circular lighting fixtures overhead.
Professional networking event showing attendees engaged in conversation at an evening gathering.
Group of attendees sharing a warm embrace at a formal evening function.
Well-dressed attendee with glasses engaged in conversation while holding wine at formal event.
Formal event with guests mingling in front of a dark backdrop.
Office supplies and branded materials arranged on a dark surface in a professional setting.
Close-up detail of white printed materials arranged in a diagonal pattern.
Business professionals gathered around tables at a formal dinner event in a well-lit conference space.
Large banquet hall filled with guests seated at round tables for formal dinner event.
Formal attendee in bow tie and suspenders poses at elegant dinner table setting.
Attendees seated at dining tables during a corporate event with moody lighting and wine glasses.
People in formal attire seated at a dark table with wine glasses during an event.