This is my very first time being a paid-photographer. Hehe. I got this challenge from my travel mate to Pahawang last month. How come?

Several days after the trip, I upload some photos from my camera that I took during the journey. Later on, my friend sent me a message. “Could you be our photographer in my company event next month?”

It takes weeks after I say yes. Haha. Beside my uncertain schedule, I feel that my ability and my gear is still not sufficient. I dont want to ruin the entire documentation with poor quality of my photos. But he keep giving me courage. “Your photo is great, especially for moment-photo”. “Your style is nat-geo-like”.

A week before D-day, I made a commitment to become their documentation team. I arranged some preparation to make a great documentation. I never took such a event photo before, It is quite different with art photography. Research is one of my concern, I read some articles on internet. Gathering some information how to take good photo in an event, especially indoor venue. Then I realized that one aspect that we should consider for indoor photography is the light condition. It is totally different when we take a picture outdoor, where there are plenty of lights. Another concern is my gear. I have an old mirrorless camera, Sony NEX6. Possessing two lens is not enough, I have 18-50mm and 55-210mm. Both lens is sufficient to take a art-style photo, but for an event that requires a lot of movement, I need a lens that covers those focal length.

I tried to rent a lens, but I could not find any store that provide Sony lens. I asked my friend for his camera, but he gave me the ‘bad’ camera. Finally, I decided to buy a new lens. It was quite expensive, costs me about 6 million. #sigh. But It can be my investment for the next occasion. With this lens I can take a wide angle or tele-photo without changing my lens.

On the D day, I come earlier to the venue. It took place in Bursa Efek Indonesia building. It was my second chance to visit this place. I took several photo to make a precise setting on my camera. The light condition was very poor. It gave trade-off between ISO and shutter speed. Eventually, I prefer to take lower ISO to get higher shutter speed.

So, how was it? Everything was not running as I wish. My battery drain out really vast. My memory card was full just right when all the speaker posed to be shot. Fortunately, I calmed down and erased the last photo. And then I took the last photo with my best. What a panic attack.

Oh, the event title is “MONEY BRUNCH”. An event organized by Janus Financial, where my friend works. It was a insightful talkshow, about investment for layman. I met the Director of BEI. Haha.

Anyway, It was a awesome moment for my self as photographer. I feel the pressure. I have a thought that documenting an event is really easy, just take a lot of picture and some of them will be turn amazing. Haha. But I have a new perspective now.

So, if you need a amateur photographer for your event, just let me know. ;)