Published Leicester Photographer Pete Martin
Published Leicester Photographer Pete Martin - Art Festival Event Photography
One of my favourite jobs of the year is ArtReach’s Journeys International Festival.
Journeys Festival International brings together artists and communities to explore big ideas and create experiences that will excite and entertain. It was first delivered in Leicester in 2013 and since then has hosted regular editions in Manchester and Portsmouth too. With this festival, we create a platform for artists from sanctuary seeking backgrounds, a showcase to share artistic talent, community cultural exchanges and incredible live events.
I’ve been photographing this event since 2021, and every one has been amazing. Such diverse performers and some absolutely moving themes.
In October 2024 the festival returned to Leicester, so armed with my camera and a few lenses I took to the streets for a weekend of event capture.
Over the 2 days I took 2,847 images and covered 48,000 steps!
Here are a couple of images from the weekend.
Here is a link to Journeys Festival. https://artreach.org.uk/journeysfestival/
On a side note, two of my images were featured in ‘Church Times’.
A few days after this was published I was contacted by an editor for the Daily Telegraph. They wanted to purchase a licence to one of the images! The licence was 12 months online and 1 print use in the UK.
So I’m officially a published photographer!
Leicester, Nottingham, Coventry, Birmingham Event Photography
Leicester, Coventry, Nottingham, Birmingham Event Photographer
Furnley House Foundation & Kazzoo IT Event Photography Leicester
If there is one type of Photography job I could only do for the rest of too my life it would be Event Photography.
I love the variation of each event, and each one is totally unique, even if it’s the same company!
Chris Cain is a good friend of mine, and he owns and runs Kazzoo IT. Chris is also an amazing fundraiser for many local charities. I’ve personally climbed Scarfell Pike and Ben Nevis with Chris over the last two years for some amazing charities.
Kazzoo IT was turning 21 years old, so it was only right there was a party.. or summer ball more like!
The event took place at Winstanley House… there was a mirror lady, champagne reception, Kazzoo brand coloured ballon wall, an amazing auction… and Sam Bailey serenading us at the end.
Take a look at a few of the shots,
Next up was the Furnley House Foundation’s summer ball. Furnley House is a truly brilliant company, B-Corp status in fact. The foundation was set up to help local charities and communities, and boy have they helped!
At their summer ball, over £30,000 was raised for the specially selected three charities. Steps, Focus & Heartwise.
A few mentions, Charlotte Miles from Cross Productions was organising the whole event, as usual it ran faultlessly.. Absolutely contact Cross Productions for your event requirements.
Hybrid AV did the entire sound and light system, and the place looked amazing. Check out their video wall!
Get in touch for your next event if you want great event photography
HERE ARE 5 EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
1. Capturing Memorable Moments: We professional event photographers are highly skilled at capturing candid and precious moments, ensuring you have a collection of high-quality images to relive the event.
2. Professional Quality: We have the expertise, equipment, and editing skills to deliver professional-grade photos with optimal lighting, composition, and clarity.
3. Focus on Guests: Hiring a professional photographer allows you and your guests to fully enjoy the event without worrying about taking pictures, ensuring everyone is part of the experience.
4. Marketing and Promotion: High-quality event photos can be used for marketing and promotional materials, helping to create buzz for future events or showcase the success of your current one.
5. Comprehensive Coverage: Professional event photographers know how to cover all aspects of your event, from the venue and decor to attendees and key moments, providing a comprehensive visual record.
Conference & Event Photographer Leicester - East Midlands
Conference & Event Photographer Leicester - East Midlands
Marketing & Branding photographer Pete Martin
It’s that time of year again where business start holding conferences and other associated events.
It’s always good to photograph these as the images are not only a good keepsake, but a usefull marketing tool. The images can be shared on your social media channels, newsletters, website and in various print media to show existing and prospective clients your companies culture.
I pride myself in being an excellent conference photographer, let me tell you about the recent Mclarens conference I shot at the Hilton East Midlands..
I arrived onsite at 9:30am and got to work setting up my mobile headshot studio and a corridor next to the main room. These clients were have individual portraits taken in the conference scheduled breaks. This is a brilliant idea and a very effective way of capturing every members of staff in one day.
Delegates started to arrive at 10am, and my studio way busy with the first of the 82 people. 10:30am and the conference starts with a welcome speech from the CEO followed by the first presenter. I captured all of this using my second camera as to not disturb the studio set up.. this could remain in place for the next wave of people to have their portrait taken.
Conference Photographer Pete Martin
I had a break in the early evening where I grabbed some food and got to work editing the days photos. I managed to get every shot edited and started the upload, the client received the download link the next morning.
Editing on location, event photographer Pete Martin
Food whilst Editing on Location - COnference Photography by Pete Martin
What a service!
Here’s 5 reasons why having me at your event is a great idea…
Professional Image: Having a photographer at your business conference ensures that high-quality images are captured, portraying your event in a professional light.
Marketing Material: The photos taken during the conference can be utilized for marketing purposes, promoting future events and showcasing the success of past conferences.
Documentation: Photography provides a visual record of the conference, preserving key moments, speakers, and activities for archival and informational purposes.
Social Media Presence: Engaging photos from the conference can be shared on social media platforms, increasing your brand's visibility and engagement with attendees and followers.
Memories for Attendees: Offering attendees access to event photos allows them to reminisce about the experience and serves as a token of appreciation for their participation.
Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball 2024
Leicester Event Photographer Summer Ball
Leicestershire Charity Photographer
A few weeks ago it was the Furnley House Foundations summer ball 2024
Having done numerous work for FH now, they asked if i’d be interested in photographing ther summer ball. It was a YES from me. Furnley House is an amazing company, and some of my great friends work there.. Their foundation is a registered chairty, they raise money to give to other charities in need.
The ball took place at Winstanley House, with many familiar faces in attendance.
Photo kit wise I pretty much stayed on one camera with a 28-75mm zoom lens and on camera flash. I did occasionally use my 135mm lens for some of the shots of the presenter on stage.
Here are a few shots from the evening. If you are holding a similar event and would like it capturing so you can look back in years to come, please get in touch. There photos are an excellent reminder and keepsake of your event. They can also be used in future marketing in print and social media. Guests can have access to the photo gallery and download digital files as well. Optional print products are also available from the online gallery.
Howden Insurance Open Event Loughborough
Howden Insurance Open Day Event Photography Leicestershire
Quality professional event photography by Pete Martin
It was nice to be asked once again to photography an event for the lovely people at Howden Insurance over in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Following the devastating floods that pretty much destroyed their office, they wanted to re-open after the refurbishment with a bang!
They hired an amazing barrister who served every type of coffee, and brilliant ladies who were cooking up delicious sweet or savoury crepes.
The local Lady Mayor even turned up at the end!
There was lots of nice merchandise available to take away, with my current favourite colour being Orange, that Mug was coming home with me!
If your company is holding an event, consider hiring a photographer to capture those wonderful candid moments. Those photos are not only a great reminder of the event but can be repurposed into social media posts and campaigns throughout the year.
Signature & Nachurel Awards
Signature & Nachurel Awards Event Photographer
Event Photographer Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton, Coventry & London
Following on from my charity work with LAMP, I photographed their ‘Time to Talk’ event in 2023. At this event there were many guests in attendance to listen to the chosen speakers.
One of these guests was Mr Ninder Johal, a man who eases many hats. He’s on the board of trustees at Wolverhampton University, he’s also a Deputy Lieutenant of the city too. But, he also founded the Signature and Nachurel Awards. On seeing me work the room, and some of my work was being shown on the screens at the Time to Talk event, Ninder asked if I would photograph the Signature Awards at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Of course I said yes!
On arrivial I could see the attention to detail everywhere, the venue looked stunning. The AV crew, also from the East Midlands had a superb set up, with multiple camera’s of the presenter and the people receiving the awards.
The night from my side was a real success, everyone looked great, and so did the photos. I had them edited the next day, and sent off to Ninder. A few hours later and they started to appear on social media.
Shortly after the Wolverhampton event, I had the call from Ninder…. Can you photograph the next awards night, in Mayfair London?!
Le me think about that…… Yep, put me down for it!
This event was much much bigger, so there was also a London photographer there. We shared out the work, he took the stage shots, I took care of the media wall shots of people with their awards. I also did some of the drinks reception too.
Take a look at a few of the images from both nights below, And yes… I have been booked for the next one!
Real Entrepreneurs Dinner
Professional event photography in Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Norhtampton, Coventry and the UK
Real Entrepreneurs Nottingham Event Photography
I was asked by a good photographer friend of mine to cover an event where he’s double booked himself.
The event was the Real Entrepreneurs Dinner at Crowne Plaza in Nottingham.
I’ve not been to one of these before, but I knew many people there!
The organisers are https://crossproductions.co.uk/ particularly Jenny Cross, Charlotte Miles and Sally Smith. More information on the RE can be found here https://crossproductions.co.uk/, it’s strict invite only.
From a photography point of view, the event was a standard affair. Everything apart from the welcome drinks reception was typical event photography, which is something i’ve done for around 8yrs now.
The drinks reception was on the hotel bar/lounge area, and unfortunately it’s pretty dimly lit. Even the artificial lights on my camera didn’t help here! Good job I packed the super expensive lenses that are able to shoot in the dark!
Have a look at a few of the 300 images taken during the evening, and if you’re holding an event and wanting it capturing by a professional to get results like you see here, drop me n email or give me a call.
FSB Awards
Event Photographer East Midlands
Awards Photography Leicester
FSB awards Leicester Marriott Hotel
Way back in November 2022 I received an email from the lovely people at the FSB (https://www.fsb.org.uk) inquiring about photographing the awards lunch in March 2023.
I was available, so I put a quote in..
Luckily for me it was accepted and contracts were exchanged a few weeks later.
The photo requirements on the day were a media wall for when the delegates arrived, some shots of people around the tables before lunch was served and also the award winners on stage.
The event ran exceptionally well, and I put that down to the excellent compare Mr Dave Sharpe.
Take a look as a few of the shots from the event below.
Leicestershire Charity Event Photographer
East Midlands Charity Event Photographer, Leicestershire Based
Menphys Charity Business Sports Club
I was introduced to the Leicestershire Charity Menphys via my good friend Chris Cain from Kazzoo IT, during Chris’s headshot session he mention a charity hike up Scafell Pike in aid of Menphys.
Menphys is s children’s charity working with disabled children based in South Wigston here in Leicestershire.
During the hike, I was introduced to a number of other businesses and Liam Deacy, the head fundraiser at Menphys. I recognised his face, but couldn’t place him.. After a slightly odd conversation in the car park it turns out his uncle is a singer and we were in the same band together in 1996-2001!
Menphys have an amazing business sports club, where for a nominal fee you can join and attend 4 meeting a year with a sporting personality. There is a 3 course dinner, a presentation by the sports person then some question and answer time. Right at the end there is a photo opportunity, which is where i come in!
I photograph the entire evening, but my favourite part is the meet and greet at the end of the night. I use a simple studio light set up against the Menphys backdrop to get a nice clean look. All of the edited photos are available via my private gallery and from Menphys the day after the event.
Here are a few images from the events i’ve shot for Menpys in 2022.
Event Photography
Why having a professional photographer at an event is a good idea
Event Photography Leicester
Why book an event photographer?
As good as mobile phone camera’s are now, there is still no substitute for a decent camera and flash.. and the professional operating it.
And here’s why, this might get a bit technical!
The sensor on a decent full frame camera is roughly 24x36mm in diameter. An iPhone sensor roughly measures 7.01 x 5.79 mm.
The sensors job is to capture the the image, which is based on mainly on the available light hitting the sensor.. so the bigger the sensor the more light can hit it and therefor... will equate to a better image.
Add to that the use of flash and the results speak for themselves.
Most camera phones have a small flash next to the sensor/lens, which points directly at the subject. In a pinch, just to get the shot.. this is ok. But using a real camera with a dedicated flash gun (speedlite) is a much better option.
The flash head on a speedlite can be rotated to different positions, so we can bounce that light from the ceiling or a nearby wall which will create a much more natural and pleasing image. We can also place more of these speedlites around the room on stands to create dramatic lighting, or simply to add more light if the venue doesn’t have great lights itself.
Check these two images out, The first was taken on an iPhone X, in the image you can see me taking a shot…
And this is the photo I took at that time. Notice how my additional light has made the subject (Kwoklyn Wan) look normal, and less purple.. Also the image is much sharper and clearer.
So if you or someone you know is holding an event, drop me an email or give me a call!
Below are a few images of mine from recent events, the last image was taken on an iPhone X… see the difference.
www.petemartinphotography.co.uk/events
