You never know who may attend an Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerceribbon cuttingevent, and I certainly did not know that Congresswoman Deb Haaland would be in attendance, and put to work cutting the cake no less! There was also live music and of course lots of turquoise jewelry to browse. If you want to have fun while networking and growing your business, I recommend becoming a member of the Hispano Chamber today! And support local Native American artists by getting your turquoise jewelry from Turquoise Skies.
Networking events seem to be dreaded. Something a business owner needs to do. However, not all networking events are created equally. I always bring my camera with me to Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce events, and this Biz Crafty networking event was no exception. I love to get candid photos at events, which is helped by people really enjoying themselves. Look at these candids, and you will see a lot of people having a very good time, yet this is still networking! Candid event photography is my speciality as I find the reactions that will be remembered for years.
A Gala with the Governor, Mayor, and Chevel Shepherd!
What is the La Noche Encantada - Calavera? It is a gala and the biggest event of the year for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. 2019 featured no less than Chevel Shepherd winner of The Voice in December 2018. Newly elected governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke, as did Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. I am a chamber member, but was at the event in an official capacity as a photographer, along with Jessica assisting. My job was to first make 200+ red carpet photos of people arriving! Then on to the dinner banquet, and finally to the Kiva Auditorium for the musical performances. Not many nights have I had such a diverse range of photography assignments! It was a very exciting event to photograph and experience through the lens.
I am proud to be a member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce so when they asked me to make updated headshots for new staff members and ambassadors, I was very happy to do so. They wanted the same style and look as their previous headshots, which meant having the U.S. and New Mexico flags in the background. Having seen the outdoor location used for the old headshots, I suggested we take things indoors and control the harsh daylight that was visible in the semi-covered outdoor hallway that was used before. This allowed me to get consistent results over a long shoot without worrying about the sun changing the ambient light and adding more or less shadow to the background.
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce knows how to put on events, and the Hispano Chamber Golf Classic 2018 is the biggest event of the year where 100% of the profits go to educational scholarships. With some 36 foursomes out on the greens, a lot of local students will be benefiting from participants' generosity. My contribution was to go out and make as many photos as I could in the short time I had available to be on the golf course! What did I learn? A lot of dancing goes on at a AHCC golf event!
Yelp ABQ along with the Hispano Chamber of Commerce have been putting on a series of events this summer called Go Behind the Dream featuring immigrant owned businesses from around Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was somewhat familiar with the story of Tahir Gauba and how he built up Donut Mart in ABQ, but through this event I really learned his family's story of moving from Pakistan and becoming a strong member of the community halfway across the world. I lived abroad for 9 years in Asia, but always knew some day I would return to the U.S. When you find some place that feels right, you can call it home permanently though!
I have hyped Biz Gratis as the single best monthly networking event in Albuquerque, New Mexico before, but after tonight, I think that needs to possibly be expanded to the world! If you attended, you know what I mean. I think this was actually just a party with people in business clothes!! Check out the extended candids photo gallery below. If you like these photos, and want this kind of candid photo story telling at your next event, use the buttons below to get professional candid event photography in Albuquerque and surrounding areas! And if you are not already a member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, then join asap to attend events like this for free!
