The Documentary Photographer

Last night I was up at Cork International Airport Hotel for the Christmas gathering of the Smarter Egg tribe, a collective of  business people who meet in groups regularly to discuss business books. Book clubs for entrepreneurs if you will.

Chief egg is Aodan Enright, who facilitates the discussions at the meetings and chooses the books. I’ve suggested we read The Dilbert Principle, but oddly the idea has had little traction within my group.

I mention all of this here for several reasons.

Firstly, Aodan asked me to be interviewed for a promotional video, giving my thoughts on the benefits of participating in his discussion groups. We got a first glimpse of the video last night. I learned two things about myself: I speak right posh and I need to lose two stone. It was like watching Jabba the Hutt being voiced by Stewie from Family Guy.

Why else do I mention it here?

Well, it was at one of the Smarter Egg sessions that I finally got clarity on the direction I should take my photography and my business. Without Smarter Egg, I wouldn’t be striking out in a purely documentary direction. Nor would this blog exist. And nor would I have been able to photograph on board Brittany Ferries for my portfolio recently. I’ve gotten to know the MD here in Ireland through my group, you see.

Lastly, I bring up Smarter Egg by way of an example of just how effective documentary photography can be for any subject, even book clubs.

The pictures here give you a good idea of the interaction at the meetings. It is relaxed, it is fun and we learn a lot from each other.

[NOTE: I should point out that the bottles of wine in the photographs are not standard Smarter Egg issue. They were a gift from one of the group members that evening. Wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea or anything.]

Smarter Egg book club for entrepreneurs in session. (c) Roger Overall 2009

We laugh and we learn. (c) Roger Overall 2009

Leader of the tribe, Aodan Enright. He supports Arsenal, you know. (c) Roger Overall 2009