A camera, a curry, and a room full of ideas in St Albans
I recently had the opportunity, for the second time, to photograph The Small Business Hub curry club lunch, founded and hosted by Sanjeev Bhavnani, at the wonderful INFUSE restaurant in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
This event brought together more than thirty business professionals and entrepreneurs from across the region, from property developers, accountants and investors to designers, marketers and storytellers. It is always inspiring to be in a room full of people who are passionate about what they do, open to new ideas and eager to connect.
The power of connection through conversation
What stood out most about this event was the genuine energy in the room. Conversations flowed easily across tables, with topics ranging from AI and investment trends to authentic visual storytelling and the future of small business collaboration.
As an event photographer, moments like these are what I look for, the natural gestures, laughter, thoughtful expressions and subtle interactions that reveal the personality of the event. These are the authentic, unscripted images that tell the real story of a business community coming together.
Behind the lens
Photographing business networking events like this requires more than just technical skill, it is about observation and timing. I am constantly reading the room, anticipating key moments and finding the best angles to capture the atmosphere without interrupting the flow of conversation.
The challenge (and joy) lies in capturing candid images that feel genuine, photographs that reflect connection, confidence and engagement. It is this type of visual storytelling that helps organisations and business networks show what makes their events so valuable and inviting.
A fantastic venue and host
INFUSE, located in the heart of St Albans, was the perfect backdrop for the event. The lighting, layout and décor all contributed to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. And of course, the food was outstanding. I went vegetarian this time, having tried the chicken previously, and both dishes were excellent.
A special mention must go to Sanjeev Bhavnani, who expertly chaired the discussions with the same energy and balance you would expect from a professional broadcaster, the Fiona Bruce of the business world. His ability to engage every attendee and keep conversations meaningful and on time made my job as a photographer that much easier.
Event photography in St Albans and Hertfordshire
Events like The Small Business Hub lunch highlight just how vibrant and collaborative the local business community is. I regularly photograph corporate events, networking lunches, awards evenings and business conferences in St Albans, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead and across Hertfordshire.
Whether you are planning a professional networking event, a company celebration or a corporate away day, great photography can help you share the story and energy of your event long after it has finished, through your website, social media and marketing materials.
If you’re hosting an event and want to capture it with authentic, engaging photography, I would love to hear from you.
Check out other great event images here.