Photography is about cameras, lenses, light, shutter speeds and all the technical stuff. But actually? It’s about people. And occasionally…taking their drinks off them.

I’ve had a fairly busy month with the cameras, including a couple of days covering a major sector conference in London. As part of that, I was commissioned to photograph a Government-backed evening event in one of those rather funky modern London bars, complete with a drop-dead-gorgeous backdrop of Canary Wharf illuminated at night.

Great venue. Great people. Great atmosphere. There was, however, one small photographic consideration. As a Government-backed event, we ideally didn’t want lots of photographs of guests clutching bottles and glasses of alcohol. Government cannot, apparently, be seen to be backing too much fun! No problem. Off I went. The evening went extremely well. The organisers were delighted with the photography, the images subsequently went flying around social media and, by every measure that mattered, the event was a cracking success.

Then came a little piece of client feedback. Apparently one guest had commented: “Your photographer came out of nowhere…grabbed my drink off me…took a picture with the person I was talking with…and then handed my drink back. Bit assertive, I thought…”

Now, in my semi-defense…I am not a shrinking violet. When I’m photographing an event, I want people to know I’m there. I’ll talk to people, joke with them, engage with them and generally become part of the room. Not because I want to crash the vibe. Quite the opposite. If people interact with me positively, relax and understand what I’m trying to achieve, I invariably get better photographs.

But duly noted. Perhaps I had been a little assertive.

Fast-forward less than 24 hours and I’d hoofed north to photograph another major event, this time at one of the key universities within the sectors we cover and with a rather important Royal guest due to arrive.

Beforehand, around 500 of the great and good were enjoying a reception, and I’d been specifically asked by the Vice-Chancellor to capture some strong images of the gathering before the Royal arrival. Then I spotted it. Standing together, deep in conversation, were a senior Police Officer and a senior member of the Military. Both in full uniform. Great setting. Great composition. There was the photograph. One problem. Both were holding glasses of fizz.

So, remembering my helpful feedback from London less than 24 hours earlier, I approached.

Two professional cameras hanging from me. Hands outstretched. One word… “Gentlemen…”

Without missing a beat, both handed me their drinks.

They carried on talking. I put the glasses down, took the photographs, picked the drinks back up and returned them.

“Thank you, gentlemen.” And off I went.

As I turned away, the military gentleman gave me a wonderfully comedic little wink. He knew. I knew. And I had the photograph.

Perhaps there’s a lesson in there somewhere.

Photography certainly requires technical ability. You need to understand your equipment, light, composition and timing. But photographing events and particularly photographing people requires something else entirely. You need to read a room. You need confidence. You need humour. You need to understand people. You need to know when to disappear quietly into the background…and when to make your presence known.

Because the best photographs rarely happen because somebody has carefully arranged everything for you. They happen in fractions of seconds. You see the moment. You engage. You make it happen. And sometimes… You just have to take their drinks off them!

People…! It’s why I love photographing them.

MAX MACGILLIVRAY