Corporate event photography in Parramatta: Decode’s Iftar team dinner at El-Phoenician

This was another of the corporate events I photographed for Decode Group. The team gathered for an Iftar dinner in the function room at El-Phoenician in Parramatta, a team dinner held to thank everyone for their work and to celebrate the cultural diversity of the people who make up the business. For corporate event photography, that is a good brief: the photos need to show a team that likes each other, not just a room full of people in suits.

The brief: a team dinner and a cultural celebration

Decode wanted a night where the team could sit down together, hear a few words of thanks and share a meal. My job was to record that warmth. That meant the speeches, the moments on stage, and plenty of candid photos of people talking and laughing at the tables, with a few posed groups for anyone who wanted one.

I have photographed Decode's Christmas party at Dolton House and their end of year awards night too. Knowing the team helps. People relax faster when the photographer is a familiar face.

Corporate event photography in a Parramatta function room

El-Phoenician's function room is an intimate space with dark timber walls, a bar and low, warm light. It is a lovely room to be in and a harder room to photograph than a bright conference hall. I kept the photos true to that warm, private feel rather than making the night look like an office.

The speeches happened at a lectern beside a Decode banner. Having the company's name in the frame is worth thinking about at any corporate event. It ties the photos to the business when they are shared later, without anyone needing a caption.

What I photographed

The stage was the loudest part of the night. Red envelopes were handed out to members of the team, and there was a lot of laughter up there. Those are the photos people share.

Most of the evening, though, was people at the tables and by the bar. A mix of candid photos and a few quick posed groups gives you both: the real laugh, and the smile for the staff newsletter.

Photographing a cultural celebration with respect

A cultural or religious celebration is a guest's night, not a photo shoot. My general approach is simple. Talk to the host beforehand about what matters on the night and anything they would rather not have photographed. Follow their lead on timing. Stay discreet during the quieter or more personal moments, and save the closer, livelier photos for speeches, greetings and laughter. If in doubt, I ask.

What Decode said about the photos

This is the feedback Decode sent after the event.

“Oh my goodness Paul!! Photos look amazingggggggg! You did such a good job. Excited to see the final photos. Love your work, thank you so much on behalf of Decode!”
Decode marketing team

“Received the photos this morning. Looks amazing!! We can’t stop laughing at some of the photos you caught some really good pictures thank you once again, we’ll keep in touch with our next event!”
Decode marketing team

“An absolute amazing photographer! His work his amazing, friendly and very professional. Highly recommended!”
Thao Nguyen, Decode Group (Google review)

A shot list for a team dinner or cultural celebration

Event photography in Sydney starts with packages from $297, $497 and $797, and an extra hour is $157.