Conference Photography in Dublin

Conferences are all about communication and good conference photography aims to capture that communication in action. 

That is not easy to do! Usually, you are under pressure to be quick and discrete, working with available and mixed lighting, which may not always be ideal, as flash is seldom an option except in formal shots, photographing people who are often nervous and sometimes uncomfortable being photographed, in addition to providing general atmospheric and descriptive images, while keeping in mind the sponsors and organisers requirements to show, or not show branding, depending on how the final image will be used, while being adaptable to producing formal portraits and group shots at a moments notice and at the same time, trying to come up with creative approaches to portray the event in a way that communicates the intended message! 

Yes, it is a challenge, but it is one that I really enjoy. Capturing the interaction between delegates, the actions of a great speaker and the reactions of their audience, gives me enormous satisfaction.

No two conferences are the same! Whether it is a two hour corporate event in a hotel or a 5 day event in the Convention Centre, each has its own atmosphere and ethos. All are designed to communicate and it is my job as a conference photographer to provide a true portrayal of that communication in action.

Here are some recent examples:

Portraits of a Lady

These portraits of Doreen Caygill were photographed on a sunny afternoon at her home in Dublin. A natural in front of the camera, though she refused to believe it, we captured a variety of natural portraits over the course of an hour. Proof I think, that regardless of age, beauty will always shine through.

Coast - A Personal Photographic Project

Here are some of the latest images from "Coast". This is an ongoing environmental photographic project, which examines how the sea interacts with man made structures. These images were photographed last week, along the South Bull Wall at Dublin Harbour.

Commercial portraits on location in Dublin

Working to a brief that gives you an outlying structure but allows you to interpret the specifics, is one of the best parts of my job!  This series of commercial portraits was photographed to a brief specifying an editorial feel, while allowing plenty of space left or right for copy to be added in the final layout.

Commissioned by Sherwin Williams for Kaleidoscope Magazine, these environmental portraits of Niall Harrison of Ronseal were photographed on location in Sandyford Co.Dublin.

Dublin urban landscape or environmental portrait?

Dusk was falling when I came across this scene last week, after shooting some environmental portraits in Dublin city centre. The way the street light caught the "Dublin Docker" against the backdrop of some of the city's icons really appealed to me.

"The Linesman" - to give it its proper name - by Dony MacManus has long been one of my favourite pieces of public art in Dublin. Approaching an urban scene with the mindset of an environmental portrait was new for me and might just be habit forming!

Business Portraits in Dublin

Here are three business head shots of Jill Barrett, personal development & career coach with The Head Coach Ireland. Our aim was to produce a variety of images which would capture Jill's warm personality using a simple available light set-up.

Noel Hillis Portrait Photography

It doesn't seem like a year since the last annual review of my favourite images that didn't make it to the blog. As always they are a mixture of commissioned portraits, commercial images and personal projects.     

Former Irish President Mary Robinson, was photographed after speaking at the IWA/WCE conference in Dublin. As chair of the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice (MRFCJ), member of The Elders and Chancellor of the University of Dublin, she has an extremely busy schedule. Without doubt, one of the most impressive people that I have ever met, she was a real pleasure to photograph.   

In November, I was commissioned to shoot a series of commercial portraits and group shots with Garry Lineker, when he was in Dublin to promote a certain brand of potato crisps. Certainly the most camera aware person that I have photographed - he was a real pro to work with.

This is Ruby and her mum Linda and is my favourite family portrait of the year. I love the way the afternoon light picks up Ruby's eyes.

I also really liked this lifestyle portrait of the beautiful Gemma, photographed in available light.

It was quite a busy year for editorial photography and one of my favourites was this moody portrait of Jeremy Oppenheim, from McKinsey & Company, which was photographed for eolas.

This commercial photography shoot of jewellery was produced for a local client.

For better or worse, 2012 was also the year I discovered what a useful camera an i-Phone can be!

It always gives me a thrill to see my work in print. I was particularly pleased to see this image on the cover of Down Syndrome Ireland's Positive 2013 Advocacy Calendar. Copies of the calendar can be purchased directly from DSI here.

Other covers that I was fortunate enough to make, included this portrait of Dave Kirwan of Bord Gas Networks for Energy Ireland's Renewable Energy Supplement and the images in HSBCs round table publication for eolas.                                      

However for one of my best memories of 2012, it was hard to beat a warm summers evening in Venice after the crowds had left and we were able to sip our spritz and watch the gondolas pass by. Pure bliss! 

Although challenging, 2012 was another really enjoyable year both personally and photographically! Thank you to all of my clients, supporters and suppliers for being there with me.  I look forward to catching up with you again during 2013.