Introduction: The Event I Didn’t See Coming (But Loved Every Second Of)

One of the joys of being a corporate event photographer is that no two events are ever quite the same. We do a lot of conferences, award nights, launches, and networking events. Occasionally, those also tie in with another one of our core offerings: food photography.

So when we got asked to cover The Sammies 2025 — an event I hadn’t even heard of until recently — I jumped at the opportunity. And I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting it to become one of my favourite shoots of the year, but it absolutely did.

From the setting at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to the energy of the competitors and the downright gorgeous food, this was a photographer’s dream. For anyone organising a London-based awards ceremony with a culinary twist (or just looking for standout event coverage), here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into covering an event like The Sammies — and how we make sure your images are award-worthy, too.

The Venue: Royal Lancaster Hotel — An Icon, In More Ways Than One

A Film Buff’s Delight

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Royal Lancaster Hotel. It’s not just because it’s one of London’s most elegant venues (though it is), or because of its Hyde Park location. For me, it’s personal — it was used in the original Italian Job film, and my ringtone for years has been from that very soundtrack. So walking into the hotel for the first time with my gear in tow already had a slightly magical, full-circle feel to it.

Why It Works So Well for Events

The hotel staff know exactly what they’re doing. The ballroom is one of the most adaptable spaces I’ve worked in. Whether it’s being used to host a mid-morning culinary competition or transformed for an elegant awards dinner, the transitions are smooth and the lighting and layout options are on point for photographers and guests alike. It’s modern, clean, luxurious — and surprisingly relaxed for such a grand space.

The Day Begins: Morning Briefings and Food-Focused Challenges

A 9:30 Kick-Off with Real Energy

The Sammies starts bright and early with a 9:30am arrival and a briefing for all competitors. There’s a buzz in the air from the get-go. You’ve got 30 to 40 chefs and food outlet owners all geared up to compete in five or six categories — each having to present a dish, complete with sourcing documentation, inspiration notes, and pricing breakdowns.

Photography that Goes Beyond the Plate

Our job during this part of the day is more than just taking pictures of plated food (though we do plenty of that too). It’s about telling the story. The nerves, the focus, the teamwork in the kitchen or prep areas. I always make it my mission to float unobtrusively, capturing candid shots of competitors fine-tuning dishes, judging panels mid-bite, and all the little details that organisers often don’t get to see while they’re spinning plates behind the scenes.

Food Photography Meets Event Coverage

Here’s where it gets exciting from a visual storytelling point of view. Because The Sammies isn’t just about awards — it’s about food at the highest level. That means:

• Texture, colour, and plating that looks good enough to eat (literally)

• Action shots in natural light where possible

• Hero shots of finished dishes on crisp white linens or against event backdrops

• Story-driven imagery: chefs discussing flavour profiles, judges scribbling notes, organisers coordinating with calm authority

This is why events like this suit our hybrid style perfectly. We blend classic food photography with reportage event coverage, offering clients a dynamic, high-quality collection of visuals that can be used across press releases, socials, sponsor reports, and websites.

3:30 PM Pause: Resetting for the Evening

After a full-on morning and early afternoon, we usually wrap up the competition element around 3:30 pm. That gives the hotel team a solid two hours to work their magic and convert the space into an evening-ready ballroom.

For us, it’s time for a brief break — usually a quick recharge, some image reviewing, and checking lighting setups in the ballroom to get ready for the awards segment. I like to take a quiet moment at this point to back up the morning’s shots and begin the process of shortlisting those key images we’ll need for overnight delivery.

6:00 PM: Lights Up, Guests In

An Evening to Remember

At around 6:00 pm, the doors open and guests begin to arrive. The room’s transformed — from a daylight culinary challenge into a glamourous awards dinner. There’s the excitement of seeing who’s won, but also the chance to relax, network, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate what’s a real highlight for everyone involved in the food-to-go industry.

Capturing the Awards Magic

This is where my job becomes all about timing. You’ve got one chance to catch the winner’s reaction. One shot to photograph the trophy handover, the handshake, the laughter, the impromptu speeches. We work the room with a mixture of long lens candids and wide angle crowd shots, plus the all-important stage photos that capture the real essence of the evening.

Then there’s the entertainment — DJs, casino tables, dance floor action, and informal mingling. It’s a full spectrum of photographic opportunities, and we make sure no memory is missed.

The Not-So-Glam Bit: Editing Through the Night

Fast Turnaround for PR and Socials

Most event organisers will tell you — especially for high-profile awards ceremonies — speed matters. Press releases go out the next day. Social media’s already tagging winners before the dessert is cleared. Which is why we offer a next-morning delivery of a select batch of fully edited, high-resolution hero images.

For The Sammies, that meant setting up a mini editing suite in my local hotel room and working through the evening to ensure the organisers and winners had what they needed by 8:00 am the next day. The rest of the gallery — several hundred more supporting images — was delivered within 48 hours.

Why Events Like This Deserve a Specialist Photographer

You Need Someone Who Can Keep Up

Events like this aren’t easy. They’re long, intense, and high pressure. We’re essentially on for 20–24 hours straight with a brief nap in between. But that’s what we do — and we love it. It’s about stamina, yes, but also knowing where to be and when. How to anticipate emotion. How to be invisible but ever-present.

The Premium Reflects the Pressure

We charge a little more for these high-turnaround, high-impact events. And that’s fair. Because what you get isn’t just a photographer — it’s a partner who understands corporate PR, event flow, sponsor visibility, and brand storytelling. Our background in marketing and event management means we get your goals and help deliver them through every frame.

Conclusion: An Underrated Event That Truly Delivers

The Sammies 2025 might not be as famous as some of the big-name awards in London, but it absolutely deserves to be. It’s impeccably run, full of passion and purpose, and a total joy to photograph. Whether you’re an event organiser looking for a dependable London event photographer, or a brand wanting images that do more than just document — we’ve got you.

As you can probably tell from the photos (and yes, the tired eyes in the background), it was a day to remember. I didn’t drink a drop, but my legs definitely felt like they’d done a half-marathon. And if I had to do it again tomorrow, I absolutely would.

Looking for Awards Ceremony Photography in London?

If you’re planning a corporate or culinary event in London (or beyond) and need a professional photographer who understands the rhythm of the day, delivers high-quality images fast, and knows how to blend into the background while capturing it all — we’d love to chat.

Drop us a line to see if your date’s available. The Sammies 2026 is already in our calendar.

If you’d like to chat with us… Call us at 01842 267567

If you prefer email send us a message here: Send mail!