2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Sunday, 6 Jan 2008 | Culture, Entertainment, Photography

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival Black Tie Awards Gala. This is a charity dinner held at the Palm Springs Convention Center and film awards ceremony. The film festival is a great event for Palm Springs, founded by the late Sonny Bono. This year's awards gala drew over 1,600 attendees. Many celebrities can be seen walking down the red carpet into the event. The atmosphere is akin to the Academy Awards, complete with screaming fans camped outside hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite star.

I was the staff photographer for the Palm Springs Mayor, Steve Pougnet and City Manager, David Ready. I was charged with photographing the event and specifically photographing the Mayor and eight lucky middle school aged kids. The Mayor selected these young men and women from the local areas to get dressed up and attend the dinner and awards ceremony.

As an added bonus, I was given the opportunity to take photographs of the celebrites during the awards ceremony. It was such a joy to have access to an event like this. I enjoyed a nice dinner, good company, and was able to do one of the things I love the most; photographing people. It was hard work, but the results are well worth it.

Comments

Feli said at 11:31 PM on Sunday, January 6, 2008

Wow I love that picture of Sean Penn. Its Brilliant.

Eduard said at 8:25 AM on Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Wow, I think you're going to be giving the paparrazi a run for their money on a regular basis.

I think you should be a photographer to the stars.
These should be published on some big time news/entertainment magazine for this event! :O)

Keep up the awesome work

mrs. blogoway said at 6:17 PM on Monday, January 14, 2008

These images are incredible! I can't even imagine what it must have been like being there. Good job.

disneymike said at 12:04 AM on Saturday, January 19, 2008

Feli - Thank you!

Eduard - Thanks, Ed, even though I know you're exaggerating a bit. Hey, it's nice to hear from you. Please let me know if you ever get to Southern California. It would be great to meet up and take some pictures again.

mrs. blogoway - Thank you. It was amazing being there so close to these stars. I will remember it always. :)

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