Social skill is key to event photography success

The Team from Momentum Waikato

Mike Walen is a self-taught professional photographer whose business success has been entirely driven by word-of-mouth endorsement.

Now KeyImagery, Mike’s Hamilton-based firm, has become a Momentum Waikato Partner business.

With a knack for the social side of snapping people, Mike really enjoys event photography.

“Three quarters of what I do is about being able to socialise with people, I’m not scared of approaching them to ask if I can take their photo,” says Mike.

“Nothing I love more than going along and mingling.”

Events are the “bread and butter” for KeyImagery, which takes Mike to civic, school and sports gatherings across the central North Island. He’s also been the photographer-of-record at international marathons overseas.