Published on Wed Mar 26, 2025 by David J Colbran
As a professional photographer with 20 years of experience in the dynamic worlds of events, public relations, and conferences, I’ve had the privilege of working with a range of clients across different industries. In the last few months, my camera has captured the energy, elegance, and essence of numerous events, from corporate gatherings to public relations campaigns, each presenting its unique challenges and opportunities. Here’s a look at some of my recent projects and how I’ve approached capturing these moments through my lens.
One of the most exciting parts of my job as an event photographer is the opportunity to document conferences that gather industry leaders, innovators, and professionals. Recently, I had the privilege of covering a large-scale veterinary conference where leading companies presented their latest products and services.
The challenge? To capture not only the high-level speakers and attendees but also the vibrant atmosphere of networking, idea-sharing, and collaboration that often happens in the background. It’s about balancing wide shots of the venue to give a sense of scale, intimate portraits of speakers in action, and candid moments of the participants as they engage in discussions. Lighting was a crucial factor here, as conference and exhibition halls are typically lit with harsh overhead lights. I made sure to use my technical skills to enhance the mood, especially for speaker shots, creating a more flattering, professional look.
The final images were shared across multiple platforms, including social media and the company’s website, adding a level of authenticity and professionalism to the event’s overall branding.
Photographing exhibition stands requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of how to best showcase the design, layout, and branding of the display. The key to capturing effective images lies in highlighting the stand’s features, such as product placement, signage, and interactive elements, while also conveying the overall atmosphere of the event. Lighting plays a crucial role in creating sharp, vibrant images that capture the true colors and textures of the stand. Wide-angle shots can provide a comprehensive view of the entire exhibit, while close-ups can emphasize intricate designs or product highlights. Additionally, it’s important to photograph the stand from different angles to give viewers a complete sense of the space and how it interacts with the surrounding environment.
In every event I cover, from high-end PR events to large-scale conferences, one of my guiding principles is collaboration. I work closely with my clients to understand their goals, their brand’s personality, and the narrative they want to communicate. This collaborative approach allows me to craft images that do more than just document an event—they tell a compelling story that resonates with their audience.
Whether it’s discussing the tone of the event beforehand or reviewing images post-production to ensure they align with the intended vision, I take pride in the relationships I build with my clients. It’s about more than taking pictures; it’s about understanding their vision and using my skills to bring it to life through visuals.
To successfully cover a business evening event I need to capture both the formal elements and the dynamic interactions between attendees.
This involves understanding the event's goals and key moments, such as speeches, networking, or presentations, while also documenting the smaller, candid moments that reflect the event’s energy. I am skilful at using lighting to balance the often low-light conditions of an evening event, ensuring that subjects are well-lit without losing the ambiance. It’s also essential to maintain a professional yet unobtrusive presence, moving around the venue to capture different perspectives without disrupting conversations or the flow of the event. Additionally, attention to detail — like capturing branded elements, group shots, and guests engaging with one another — helps create a comprehensive visual story that resonates with the event's purpose. These images are vital not only for on-the-spot social media posts but also essential content collateral for advertising future events and gatherings.
As a professional photographer, every event I cover is an opportunity to tell a unique story. The challenge of capturing not just the moments but the energy and essence of a gathering is what makes this work so rewarding. Whether I’m photographing a corporate conference, a PR campaign, or a community fundraiser, my goal is to create images that elevate the experience and provide lasting memories.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the projects on the horizon, including more high-profile conferences, non-profit campaigns, and creative PR launches. Each one offers new stories, new challenges, and new opportunities to showcase the incredible power of photography in storytelling.
If you’re planning an event, whether it's a conference, PR launch, or corporate gathering, let’s collaborate and create powerful, story-driven imagery that highlights your brand and its message.
This blog post showcases my recent work as a professional Liverpool based photographer, focusing on the impact I’ve made in events, public relations, and conferences. Each project reflects my commitment to producing high-quality imagery that not only meets the client’s expectations but also captures the emotion and atmosphere of the moment. If you’ve got a photography need, I’d love to connect and discuss how I can help bring your vision to life.
Tags: conference, conferences, Manchester, ManchesterCentral, corporate, Liverpool, London, commercial, business,Author: David J Colbran
In the last few months, my camera has captured the energy, elegance, and essence of numerous events, from corporate gatherings to public relations campaigns, each presenting its unique challenges and opportunities. Here’s a look at some of my recent projects and how I’ve approached capturing these moments through my lens.
Currently available to take on commissions for events, PR and celebrations at the Grand National meeting in Aintree 3rd to 5th April - get in touch ASAP - it is a very busy time for me and I get booked up quickly
American vibraphonist, record producer and composer Roy Ayers has passed away aged 85 - RIP. I was lucky enough to see him perform three times. I raided the archive for some live images at Womad in 2009
"David is a very creative, imaginative photographer and shows great empathy with his subjects. These qualities certainly show in his work. I am very pleased to endorse him."