'I'm here to take photos...'

Event photographs or party pictures make up a lot of the content in the magazine I work for...we're essentially a socialite, city magazine, etc. And a part of my job is going to said events and snapping those coveted "party pics" of the attendees.

Sometimes people runaway from me...no joke. I guess they don't want their photo in one of the city's most read magazines but whatever. Other people squeal when I tell them I'm from Soiree magazine. If I had to choose I prefer the squealers to the runners...at least they will talk to me.

But the weird thing I have found about being an event photographer (or event photog as they say in the biz) is that you're essentially a stalker.

I am paid to stalk people.

I wait on the edge of the event ready to pounce on the next honoree or "in-the-know" person who walks by...I know who's who and I wait for my photo subjects to appear just like a lion waits for it's prey! It's not really that dramatic, but pretending it is makes going to tons of events more interesting from my perspective at least...

So as a photo stalker does that mean am I the equivalent of a paid assassin in the social world? Perhaps, because, seemingly, your social status could very well depend on whether or not you were seen at a certain event...and who has the power to permanently ("permanently") capture your presence? We'll that would be me.

Nice to meet you. Please don't run away from me.

Until the next party...look for me...I'll be lurking in the shadows or out in the open scrambling to get 30 photos so I can leave and go home ;)