Name: Pat Brunet
Trading Name/s: Event Photos Australia Pty Ltd / Pat Brunet Photography
Photography Genres: Mostly Corporate Events, Real Estate, Pets

What inspires your work?
I'm always looking for something new to give to my clients. As each event is different in so many ways I turn up with an open mind. Seeing awful event photographs from around the world, I pride myself in bringing fresh, vibrant event photography.

Do you act on your own imagination?
The work environment I find myself at each job is the most controlling factor of my photographs. You don't have a studio full of lights you can control - instead its allot of spur of the moment and watching what the ambient light and stage lights are doing.

What do you enjoy shooting the most and why?
Large corporate events (gala dinners etc)! If I didn't enjoy it then I wouldn't put so much energy and effort into what I do. It's the glitz and glamour of turning up into a well dressed room, it's the live band, it's the fun times guests are having and the challenge of being able to capture the shot in challenging circumstances.

What are your future aspirations in photography?
Having just recently taken my business Australia wide and having the opportunity to travel around Australia and also Internationally covering events, I hope to continue to grow my business and continue making my clients happy.

What do you know now that you really, REALLY wished you knew when you started?
People are willing to pay for quality. There are so many photographers out there willing to photograph for free to get their foot in the door but without the quality they will struggle. Event Photos prides itself in providing quality photographs and that is why we have such a happy client list.

What was the best advice ever given to you?
Don't underestimate your abilities.

Advice for novices?
Practice, learn your equipment and don't start shooting jobs for free because those clients will simply find a new photographer to shoot things for free.

Boundaries to your shooting (morally/ethically)?
I found myself in the same hotel as Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson one year while I was covering an event. They were having breakfast and nobody really knew they were there. Now, I could have starting shooting but I'm really not into the whole paparazzi thing. I let them have their privacy and continued on with my job.

Funniest photography moment?
Sharing a bed in Melbourne with another Photographer... Cosy!

Where do they think the market for photography is headed?
With cameras being affordable and more and more people are picking up cameras and becoming "weekend warriors" it can make it hard to make a living from photography. But as I said, if you can offer a service based on quality then you will stay ahead of the pack.

What/who would you like to shoot and why?
I love to photographer really large gala dinners. You just know everybody is in such a great mood, the entertainment will be great and it always looks fantastic.

Which Spice Girl would you like to be and why?
Sporty Spice. Not too sure why.

This is my favourite photo because... I just love how the colours turned out. It was just before the Global Illumination Charity Event at the Brisbane City Hall. I got it printed in a large metallic print and I just love it.



How did you get started in the business?
It all started with a point and shoot camera at uni, which led to a larger point and shoot camera. I then started taking night club photos around Brisbane and picking up random work. One job I landed was 'food photography' for a newly opened restaurant. Never done any food photography before, I loaded my camera and tripod (that's all I had at the time) and off I went. The photo ended up being on the front cover of a magazine. At the time I was also entered in the Nescafe Big Break Competition and made it into the semi-finals with my great idea of onsite photo printing for events and sport clubs. I saw there was a market for GOOD event photography and at the time there was only 1 big name and their photos were pretty average.

I didn't make it any further in the competition but I decided to take the step and start the business anyway. I upgraded to the Canon 20D and launched a website... jobs started to come in here and there.
In mid 2005, I got a job as a full time real estate photographer and after a couple years of that my business was busy enough to go full time. July 2009, I decided to turn the business into a trading company.

What was your first big break?
Even though the magazine cover was a great ego boost, it wasn't until I was hired by a job for an event management company on the Gold Coast. 5 years on and they are still my best clients.

Do you still take pictures for pleasure/art/just the fun of it?
Very rarely do I take photos for me. Sometimes I really struggle to find motivation though the very rare occasion I may go shoot something. Very rarely.

Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. Twenty Million AUD. AIS Insurance

Is your photographic gear insured?
Absolutely. AIS Insurance

Do you quote for a job, or do you set your price. Or do you expect the client to suggest what they will pay?
I do have a hourly rate I work off, but depending on the job each quote is different. If the client has a budget to stick too then I give them options on where we can cut back.

Do you always put all of your work agreements in writing?
Event Photos has standard Terms & Conditions that go with every quote we send out.

Pat Brunet Ph: 1300 740 705 His websites are: http://www.eventphotos.com.au http://www.patbrunet.com

All images are copyright 2009 to Pat Brunet. Content is copyrighted 2009 to Pat Brunet and BrisbanePhotography.com. No content may be used without the prior written consent of both parties.