Event Photography at The Star Trust Ball, Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa

Good to be back at The Star Trust Ball

Earlier in my career I used to photograph The Star Trust Ball regularly, but for one reason or another the shoots dropped off.

So it was really good to be back.

This year also gave me somewhere completely new to photograph, with the ball taking place at Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa on the banks of Rutland Water.

It was my first time working there and what a venue.

Aston Martins before the ball had even started

The photography actually began well before the evening event.

During the day, guests had the opportunity to book test drives in a selection of beautiful Aston Martins.

Not a bad way to start a charity ball.

Then it was into the main event that evening, and a complete change of pace as Rutland Hall filled up for The Star Trust Ball.

The Star Trust raises money for smaller charities and good causes across the East Midlands, largely through events like this one. The charity is run by local business people and volunteers, with the board giving their time without taking a salary.

The ball was hosted by charity chairman Steve Hampson and the dedicated Star Trust board.

£163,000 raised in one evening

These are always big, glitzy events and this one had pretty much everything.

There were some amazing auction prizes, games, entertainment, great food and a brilliant DJ who kept the dance floor full.

Most importantly, an incredible £163,000 was raised during the evening.

That knocked the previous year's total out of the park and the money will go towards supporting charities across the East Midlands.

The Star Trust has now donated around £1 million since it began.

Considering the amount of work that goes into putting an evening like this together, I think the fact that the board give their time voluntarily is pretty amazing.

The sort of event photography I love

There is so much to photograph at an event like this.

One minute I'm photographing people arriving and talking, then it's tables, food and details, somebody winning an auction lot, reactions to a game, entertainment on stage and eventually a packed dance floor.

I thrive on that.

I'm constantly working out the best approach for whatever is happening next: where I need to be, what lens I need, where the light is coming from and what is likely to happen before it actually does.

There isn't much time to stop and think about it. I just keep moving.

By the end of the evening I'd taken what I can only describe as wedding numbers of photographs.

I won't tell you exactly how many.

Pie and chips to finish

There is one Star Trust tradition I was particularly pleased to see hadn't disappeared.

At the end of the night, Pukka Pies provide a pie and chips supper.

After photographing everything that had happened during the day and evening, I managed to grab myself a portion before eventually falling into the car for the drive home.

I'd earned it.

The photographs were all ready for the client the following day, so The Star Trust could immediately start promoting the success of the evening and, before long, next year's ball.

It was good to be back. For coverage and delivery information, see my event photography services.