Office Depot

Florida Governor Rick Scott at Office Depot Foundation children's event in Tampa

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Florida Governor Rick Scott at Office Depot Foundation August 2012 - Nikon D80 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 800 1/100th SB-600 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedPeriodically as a Tampa Event Photographer I get to photograph government officials and politicians ranging from the Mayor of St. Petersburg all the way to the U.S. Secretary of Labor.  This afternoon I had the opportunity to photograph Florida Governor Rick Scott when he appeared at the Office Depot Foundation event celebrating its charity work giving away backpacks full of school supplies to Tampa Bay area children.

Florida Governor Rick Scott back row left with school children - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedThis was my third time photographing an event for Office Depot who I am very glad to continue to have a very good business relationship with.  Shooting these events helped me to learn the real world efforts Office Depot puts forth that directly help the local community any particular store is in.  

Young Tampa girls getting to meet Governor Rick Scott of Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mountedPeople of all ages were excited for their chance to shake hands with the Governor and have a little chat with him.  I was frankly surprised that these girls showed up early to the event just for their "grip & grin" chance as it is called in the industry.

Everyone in attendance with Florida Governor Rick Scott (center back) - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedIt was a bit of a tight fit, but everyone honored at the event was able to be fit into a single photo.  I stood up on a chair to be able to make this shot, guessing that standing on the floor right in front of them may not be enough.  The event took place right in an Office Depot in a small area prepared for less people than the many that actually came!  It was nice and cozy though.

Everyone competing for Governor Rick Scott's words.I was by no means the only photographer there.  Plus, there were several camera men.  So I had to compete for space and positioning most of the time at the event, as well as predict where the best angle to photograph the Governor would be as he mingled throughout the store.  It was a fun challenge and kind of cool to be around the local press and media.  Thank you again to Office Depot for the opportunity!

UPDATE:  see me (left side) in action in a photo taken by the Governor's official photographer

Ribbon Cutting Event with Mayor Bill Foster at Office Depot

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St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster (3rd from left) helps with a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Office Depot on 34th Street NOn Tuesday I was able to continue my great photography relationship with Office Depot in St. Petersburg by photographing a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new store on 34th Street North.  This was also another chance to photograph St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster helping cut the ribbon on a new local business.  I am starting to get familiar with who in the local government attends these events, like Council Chair Leslie Curran (4th from right) and Council Member Bill Dudley (5th from right).  

Office Depot handed out "big checks" to several local non-profit groups and donated 200 backpacks for school children.After I photographed my first Office Depot event in December I realized how a large corporation like Office Depot actually reaches out to be a helpful member of the local community by investing in local non-profits through donations of both cash and goods.  They continued this custom handing out three more checks and 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to be given to local school children.  Being able to photograph and be a part of an event like this is a satisfying experience.  Office Depot has earned my business, which is mostly the purchase of printer ink, but still, in my mind through their charity work they have established a very positive image.  It was also my second time to meet some of the regional management and they remembered me as well.  I hope to continue to be able to photograph future Office Depot events showcasing their community work and new stores.

Office Depot Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Event St. Petersburg Florida

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Event for a new Office Depot location in St. Petersburg - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 800 1/60th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted @ 1/4 powerI have a new respect for Office Depot after photographing their ribbon cutting ceremony for their new location on 40th Ave NE in St. Petersburg.  Not only did they help support a local business by hiring me to photograph the event, they also took this opportunity to give to local businesses doing community work.

Nothing like being handed a big check! Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 800 1/60th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mounted @ 1/4 powerPhotographing an event like this is pretty straight forward and I was provided an excellent shot list and agenda by the home office.  When big checks are in shots, they can tend to act like reflectors and being more blown out than any other subject in the shot.  I balanced the exposure of the check itself in the above shop by selecting just the check in Photoshop CS5 and then adjusting the highlights until it matched more with the rest of the image.  This also makes the red in the check look a more true, deep red instead of a light pinkish red.

St. Pete TV was there filming the event and interviewing Office Depot managers and other VIPsI really like photographing ribbon cutting events because the atmosphere is celebratory, I am always trying to top my previous ribbon cutting action shots and there are often great cookies or other treats up for grabs.  I look forward to continuing my business relationship with Office Depot and using them as a customer for my printer ink needs as they are located very close to my neighborhood.