On a bright and sunny Sunday in April, I reported for my first paid assignment as a freelance photographer. A few weeks prior to getting this assignment, I’d answered an ad on CraigsList for iPhone users to take photographs for a new app that was being developed.
Even though I didn’t get that gig, the developer of PhotoSesh, Chris Seshadri, assured me that there would be future opportunities. And sure enough, he asked me and a few other photographers to capture the action at a fundraiser his friend was running for the Secaucus Animal Shelter. We were supposed to use both our dSLRs and iPhones.
As some of you know, I’m just learning how to use my Nikon 5200, so I was nervous about messing up on that part of the job. And even though I’d been an in-house corporate event photographer for 10 years at a former employer, my confidence in shooting an outside event (and getting paid to do it!) added a little extra pressure.
After some pep-texts from premier event photographer, Sean Rhinehart (who is also a friend and TCC member), I packed my gear and headed out.
It didn’t take long to get in the zone. As I walked up to the clubhouse, this image set the tone for the fun-filled day of animal lovers getting together for a worthy cause.
Capturing the frenetic activity of a fund-raising event with animals who don’t listen to direction turned out to be a whole lot of fun. It’s always rewarding to come home and look at your images on the computer after a day of shooting. It’s even better when you have money in your pocket for your efforts and can spring for dinner that night!
For more photos of the event, check out my Flickr album. (Photos aren’t processed since the boss didn’t ask for that service.)
Michael Gonnelli
Ellen