I didn’t go to my high school prom. I finally got to experience one in June. I offered to assist my friend and fellow photographer, Steven Rosen, as he photographed portraits of the students just outside the main ballrooom. All I was meant to do was to collect the student’s names and contact information along with the numbers of their photos so Steven could contact them when their web galleries were ready. When Steven was done with the portraits, I planned to go home, and he was going to stay on to photograph the dancing, crowning of the prom king and queen, and all other activities.
But the prom got started a little late, and after dinner was served, more couples approached Steven for portraits. Suddenly we heard the school’s Principal begin to make a speech, and Steven knew he should photographing it, but he was stuck in the middle of shooting a portrait. He threw his second camera at me and begged me to shoot the action. I was happy to comply, but after a few shots I just wasn’t comfortable with an unfamiliar camera and lens. Luckily, I had my camera, 16-35 mm lens, and flash with me, so I quickly switched gear and stayed on as second shooter for the remainder of the evening. I think I had more fun than I would have at my own prom, had I gone.
Afterwards, Steven commented that he couldn’t have done it without me. That’s one of the most gratifying compliments a second shooter can get.
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