Tag Archives: event photographer

Red Bull Finalist Photos – Jack Smith winning longest airtime in Australia!

As one of Red Bull contracted official photographers I am under some contract as to when and where I can show my photos, and because of that most of them I might not be able to display the for a few years, however……..  I can share these two images with you now…  YAY!!!!!

Below are two images that captured here in Canberra covering Red Bull paper wings event, this event is open to a worldwide audience of competitors with the top people in the category flying to Austria the Red Bull Paper Wings World Final, which just happens to start tomorrow on 9 April 2015.

The gentleman throwing the plane is Jack Smith. Jack was able to secure his seat at the world finals in the category of the longest airtime with this flight of 9.3 seconds.

I spent the day photographing lots of competitors that day and I must say Jack spent a considerable amount of time shaping, making, adjusting and perfecting his aircraft. He was always in the background test flying and fixing his little paper plane, so if anyone was going to win it, it was going to be him. Go Jack you good thing!!!

Jack Smith throwing his paper plane for the chance to go to the world finals in Austria.
Jack Smith throwing his paper plane for the chance to go to the world finals in Austria.

At the end of the day the winner received a really big boarding pass with 20,000 frequent flyer points which I must say it the biggest boarding pass I have ever seen…. lol

As Jack was one of the winner on the day I organised use to shoot him out side along with the ladies from Red Bull, so that I could not only have better lighting than in a hall but it allowed me to incorporate the building and the really flash Red Bull car in the shot. Oh by the little Red Bull car has an esky in the back full of Red Bull!!!! Well it did when I started my day….. Not so much at the end… 😉

Jack Smith showing off his winning plane that allowed him to win the longest airtime in Australia with 9.3 seconds
Jack Smith showing off his winning plane that allowed him to win the longest airtime in Australia with 9.3 seconds

One thing I can say about photographing for Red Bull is that the people were fantastic, full of enthusiasm and keen to help out whereever they can…………. and there was no shortage of Red Bull to keep this little event photographer running around like a crazy man. lol

If you want to see my photos up in lights check out the link below. 🙂

http://www.redbullpaperwings.com/Countries/Australia/News/Announcement_The_Australian_Winners_are.html

Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT Candlelight Ceremony

Last night I was the official event photographer for what was a sombre and reflective candle ceremony domestic violence crisis services of the ACT.

This ceremony was to remember the lives lost to domestic violence to which 64 women, 11 men and two children were linked to family violence in the ACT since 1998.

While the night was quite chilly and cold it attracted hundreds of Canberrans that have either been affected directly or indirectly. It was really nice to see him very touching and with the ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry on hand to do a speech it was good to see political backing for what is a very serious subject.

ACT firefighters showing their solidarity and support
ACT firefighters showing their solidarity and support

 

Some of the people that attended looking on at the candles situated on stage 88
Some of the people that attended looking on at the candles situated on stage 88

 

The speakers for the night which included ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry
The speakers for the night which included ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry

 

The lighting of the main candles by ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry
The lighting of the main candles by ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech
ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech

 

ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech
ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech

 

Reading a poem
Reading a poem
ACT police there to support an important cause
ACT police there to support an important cause

 

The different colours of the candles represent the different lives that have been lost
The different colours of the candles represent the different lives that have been lost

 

One of the many males that attended such an important event
One of the many males that attended such an important event

 

Sombre crowd looking on as the speakers address the audience
Sombre crowd looking on as the speakers address the audience

 

The bagpiper with the speakers standing for a minute's silence
The bagpiper with the speakers standing for a minute’s silence
ACT police bagpiper
ACT police bagpiper

 

The main candles
The main candles

 

The main candles
The main candles

 

One of the attendees capturing the main candles at the end of the ceremony
One of the attendees capturing the main candles at the end of the ceremony

Bloody Ronald McDonald!!!!

What is that saying about working with kids and animals?????  I think you need to add Ronald McDonald to the list… ha ha ha ha

Working through my photos from last nights Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center I came across this photos and couldnt help but share!!!!

I can now tick off “Get Photobombed by Ronald McDonald while shooting one of rugby leagues top cheerleading squads, The Emeralds” from my Top 10 things I need to do as a professional event photographer list…. bwhahahahaha

Here I was just clicking away and Ronald McDonald comes out of nowhere!!!!!!  BAM!!!!!!!

I love Ronald McDonald….  😉

Ronald McDonald Photobombing a shoot with The Emeralds cheerleader squad for the Canberra Raiders at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center
Ronald McDonald Photobombing a shoot with The Emeralds cheerleader squad for the Canberra Raiders at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center

 

Its a Gala Event!!! A Ronald McDonald Gala Event!!!!

Prepping for an event is a double edged sword…  On one side you are getting excited and butterflies for the the excitement of it all  and on the other side you are going through your check list to ensure you have all the equipment to take on the event that you are going to cover.

With today’s event being the Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center. It kicks off at 5 pm and will go until 2 am…….

What this means for me is given the size of the event, the use of flash as it will be dark, performances that need to be captured it will take a bit of equipment and more importantly a whole lot of flash units and batteries.

YAY for a party… I do love a good party and this one should be a cracker…

So what does an Event Photographer take on such and assignment?   Well this is a very personal thing as each photographer has their own style but this is roughly what I will be taking.

  • 1 x Canon 5D mkII
  • 1 x Canon 5D mkII
  • 1 x 70-200mm F2.8 Canon L lens
  • 1 x 24-70mm f2.8 Canon L lens
  • 3 x Speedlites
  • 3 x external battery packs for the speedlites
  • Colour correcting gels for the speedlites to balance the colour of the lights against the colour of the rooms.
  • 3 x defusing caps for the speedlites
  • 1 x remote trigger for the speedlites
  • 3 x Elinchrom Rangers Quadra packs
  • 6 x Elinchrom Rangers Quadra heads
  • 6 x Elinchrom Rangers Quadra battery packs
  • Colour correcting and theatrical gels for the Elinchrom Rangers Quadra, where I can create some unique images.
  • 2 x Remote triggers for the Elinchrom Rangers Quadra
  • 4 x light stands of different sizes
  • 6 x sandbags
  • 1 x GoPro in protective water proof case – ha ha ha….  You never do know what might happen…  😉
  • 28,321,988 x AA rechargeable batteries
  • Lens Cleaners
  • Some clips, straps, a few bags, tape, claps, etc
  • A external charging unit to keep my iphone charged so I can get Behind The Lens shots…. ha ha ha

mmmmmm  Am I missing something….  I know I wont need to pack fun as I will find it at the event…. Oh yeah my pack horse…  Now where did I put him…. ha ha ha ha

For all you Canberra Raiders fans out there I will once again be running into the best cheer squad in the League if not the country The Emeralds so stay tuned for some great photos of these fantastic bunch of ladies as they will be putting on a performance.

If you want more info on the event or just want to know more about what RMHC does, have a look on the link below.

https://www.rmhc.org.au/our-programs/houses/canberra

Ronald McDonald Gala
Ronald McDonald Gala

Reports of person with a gun causes government lockdown!

There was a report of the person seen holding a gun around the Australian government, Department of human services building in Tuggeranong at around 9:30 AM today.

The Australian Federal police responded by closing down to surrounding roads of the building went into lockdown with all staff secured inside.

As part of my other hat I also do photojournalism and as soon as I heard of this I kissed my daughter good bye and told her I was going to photograph some person with a shotgun an sword, grabbed my equipment and jumped in the car to see what I could capture.

Arriving on location where were several police cars driving around and surrounding building that was lockdown. Joining me were TV crews and reporters all eager to capture the story.

I must say we are a strange bunch as we run to the danger while others hide and I don’t think my friends can really understand why it is that I do this.

As we tried to ascertain the exact extent of what was going on I did my thang….. 🙂

Police attending lockdown after deciding sighting of a man with a gun
Police attending lockdown after getting a report of a man with a gun
One of the police vehicles investigating the sighting of a man with a gun
One of the police vehicles investigating the sighting of a man with a gun
Some of the office workers standing by the windows to get a better view of the street below
Some of the office workers standing by the windows to get a better view of the street below

After around half an hour or so the police could not confirm the siding, the street was open again, and the people within the building were once again free to move around.

The police leaving the scene after giving it all clear
The police leaving the scene after giving it all clear Investigating