NMACI Diamond Gala 60th Anniversary was the first event I photographed in Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many award events I have photographed throughout the past 10 years, it began outside with a social hour and then moved inside to a ballroom for the presentation of the awards. Being a professional photographer in part means being able to change gears going from shooting outside in natural light at 1/500th ISO 100 of a second to dimly lit indoors using external flash and ISO 2000+.
Politicians a plenty
Then it turns out many state Senators and Representatives would be present to receive awards, as well as Lt. Governor Howie Morales. I am very experienced at photographing politicians though, from mayors to governors to Secretary of Labor and the U.S. Surgeon General!