Travel and event photographer Stuart Forster discusses photography in Tenerife during an annual general meeting and conference.
Large group photos, portrait photography and general event photography were just three of the British Guild of Travel Writers recent image requirements. During the organisation’s 2022 Annual General Meeting and Conference in Tenerife, I was engaged as the official photographer.
Conference photography often involves photographing groups at dinner tables and during informal drinks gatherings. There was an element of that at the Finca Ecológica La Calabacera, the location of an organic banana plantation on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Group photograph of members of the British Guild of Travel Writers throwing their hats into the air during the 2022 Annual General Meeting held in Tenerife.
Professional event photography
Other fruit and vegetables are also grown at the Finca. A tour of site proved ideal for informal people photography of members and hosts from Tenerife interacting. It was also ideal for documentary photography of products being grown. That included the luffa, or loofah, a fibrous fruit popularly used as a bath scrub.
A luffa or loofah growing at the Finca Ecológica La Calabacera ecological farm.
Tables were set between rows of banana plants bearing bunches of Canarian bananas. That variety of the popular fruit is tricky to find in grocery stores in the United Kingdom. If you don’t believe me, try asking in your local greengrocers for bananas from the Canary Islands and see what they say.
Hotels by the coastline of Tenerife’s Costa Adeje. The tourism industry is a key driver of the island’s economy but agriculture is also significant.
Informal portrait photography
It was at one of the tables at the Finca Ecológica La Calabacera that I photographed Mary Moore Mason, a former chairperson of the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW). Mary is the creator of the Mary Go Round America travel blog.
Mary Moore Mason, a former chairperson of the British Guild of Travel Writers during a meal at the Finca Ecológica La Calabacera on Tenerife.
Later in the day, the group attended the Scandal Dinner Show at the GF Victoria resort hotel at the Playa del Duque on the Costa Adeje. Unfortunately, photography and videography were not permitted during the spectacular show. However, strikingly clad performers stepped out onto the red carpet to be photographed with guests prior to the dinner show.
Performers in costume on the red carpet outside of the Scandal Dinner Show held at the GF Victoria resort hotel.
Siam Park in Tenerife
Another event on the programme of the annual conference was a gala dinner at the popular Siam Park.
One of the attractions in Siam Park, the popular water park in the Costa Adeje region of Tenerife.
Also on the Costa Adeje, the water park features spectacular rides and Thai architecture.
Group photograph of former and present members of the British Guild of Travel Writers’ committee at the Siam Park in Tenerife.
Christoph Kiessing, one of Siam Park’s owners, introduced the site to BGTW members.
Christoph Kiessling speaking at Siam Park in Tenerife.
Along with other hosts, Christoph was presented with a bottle of Whitley Neill gin from a batch specially created for the AGM and conference.
British Guild of Travel Writers’ board members presented hosts with bottles of a specially distilled batch of Whitley Neill gin.
Speeches were held prior to a spectacular firework display.
David M Perez, the CEO of Turismo de Tenerife.
Sunset at Teide National Park
Travelling to Teide National Park presented attendees with opportunities to view, photograph and film the sun setting over the vast crater beneath the summit of Mount Teide.
Person viewing the Las Rochas rock formation in Teide National Park.
The period around sunset and dusk proved rewarding for travel photography.
Holidaymakers viewing the sunset in Teide National Park.
The silhouetted form of the Roques de García became the subject matter for numerous photos.
Golden sky above the Las Rochas rock formation in Tenerife’s Teide National Park.
Following dinner at the Parador de las Cañadas del Teide, conference attendees were invited to join members of Teide by Night for a stargazing experience.
Silhouette of Rob Ellison, one of the founders of The Tonic Magazine, a food and drink publication that has had multiple award nominations, in Teide National Park.
The team pointed out constellations in the night sky of an area famed for its low light pollution and clarity. It’s a rewarding destination for astrophotography.
Stars in the night sky above the Las Rochas rock formation in Teide National Park on Tenerife.
Food and drink photography in Tenerife
The closing event of the conference was held at La Gañanía, a hillside event space with a vast terrace overlooking Puerto de la Cruz.
Wrinked potatoes (papas arrugadas) served with red sauce (mojo rojo) and green herby sauce (mojo verde) plus a platter of grilled fish at the Restaurante Régulo in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Staying in Puerto de la Cruz provided an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Restaurante Régulo, a traditional restaurant serving cuisine typical of the Canary Islands.
Spanish garlic prawns, a dish known as Gambas al Ajillo served during a meal in Tenerife.
Service at the highly-rated restaurant was excellent. The rustic restaurant counts among the leading restaurants on Tenerife for cuisine typical of the Canary Islands.
Smiling server at Restaurante Régulo at Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife.
The lengthy lunch concluded with a traditional barraquito coffee, a local delicacy.
A multilayered coffee laced with liqueur. The barraquito coffee is a speciality of the Canary Islands.
The AGM itself was held at the Hotel Botánico, a luxury hotel with a spa, garden and conference facilities.
Elephant cuddly toy on a bed in the Hotel Botánico, the five-star hotel in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Corporate event photography
Should you need a photographer in Newcastle for professional business headshots or other forms of corporate photography, please get in touch by calling 07947 587136.
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Pinterest pin for WhyEyePhotography.com’s blog post about photography in Tenerife. It involved capturing group photos, informal images of people and event photography.