We all get our trips away, mine just happened to be in Fiji late last year photographing the 2010 Chevron conference. An awards conference for the best achievers plus their partners for employees of the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ).

Being the photographer my main task was to photograph the delegates, speakers and location in which they were living it up. The delegates participated in beach sports days, cultural activities, helping to rebuild a hospital, interact with well renowned speakers and of course lounging by the pool over the beach. I mean staying in the Fiji Continental Hotel which is one of the latest and greatest resorts in Fiji is no easy task.

If you’ve ever wanted to be a photographer? Conferencing is not all that easy, but dose have its bonuses. Let me list the list below to give you an idea of what I do.

• Firstly I usually get an email saying hey Muzza are you free for these (four too five) days in some exotic location for a conference. And yes that’s my brief for the entire shoot the rests up to me.
• I always ask the organising staff to treat me like a delegate without all those flash gifts, so I can pretty much hang the whole time with them. That includes eating, travelling, briefs and all outdoor activities. This way I have a lot more time to be apart of them.
• Theming the conference is always a winner when you present you slideshow of images at the end. So what’s theming? I suppose reoccurrence is best and best kept simple. I’ve shot people laughing, women’s boots or anything you can think of.
• The people to look after are the sponsor and speakers. Take great shots and lots of them.
• Being open and creating my own atmosphere within any group helps with being more productive. This has its positives when organising a group photograph of 200 – 500 people in under 10 minutes. It can be done.

Lastly be yourself and enjoy the company your in.