Anonymity & Unlocked Doors - Toronto, Canada.
As a practicing photographer for over 10 years now (fun fact: Tara actually taught me how to shoot photography — Wab taught me how to shoot video), it never ceases to amaze me in regards to how much access and anonymity you can get just by holding a camera.
Most people usually see an event photographer lurking like a ninja (I prefer to call us ninjas over weirdos, haha) and they don’t think twice about us. However, having now shot weddings, events, and travel outings, when you’re the one behind the lens, it’s actually a really cool experience to see just how quickly people are willing to let you into places just so you can get the “proper angle” as you quietly sleuth around an event space in order to capture these “timeless” moments. Not to mention, you also get a lot of leeway when it comes to blocking someone else’s view or rummaging in the corner by yourself with your gear. Most people tend to think “oh, he’s just doing photographer-things,” not realizing you actually would prefer not to speak with anyone else at all (haha).
Creativity notwithstanding, as I speak to my other photographers out there — if you’ve ever been unsure if you should take a job, I say: just go for it! In the end, they’re all the same anyways, the only difference is the subject.
Find your spot. Unload your gear. Get to work “seeing” the moment in order to capture it.
*Pictured here: scenes from a work event that I decided to play ninja at over “working the room.” When you’re a multi-faceted creator, you always get first pick when it comes to jobs you do and don’t want to do. Remember this Pro Tip. Click HERE* for a little BTS Reel that I created about the experience! ◡̈
-always strive to build transferable, invaluable skills.
