2024 October MCM & EGX

AshleyGPhotography

My review of the weekend

FRIDAY

Friday is always a mega start day to get all passes and everything checked in and see all the friends you don't see from event to event or once a year also for a press guy its always a good day to see the team also to see how the security is going to be. On my side everyone was helpful and prepared. I went early because it was a new event as such because MCM and EGX came together for this event do I think it was good. yes because there was more there but also not because the crowed was a lot bigger and it was a fight to get anywhere thank god I stayed out side most of the day shooting outside, what can be a challenge sometimes especially when some random security lady not even linked to mcm or that thinks I need a pass that I do have a pass to shoot there and they just don't like press cards or anything like that and they wanted me to pay more to go somewhere I already have permission to shoot at it. but just say I didn't see her anymore. After that the day was a bit slow i had other photographers come up and say have you shot and all that and I was like yeah but not as much as always then when i said that the next 2 hours was crazy. ( I should never open these lips.)

SATURDAY

Saturdays are always a manic day so i arrived extra early to prepare the area where me and a fellow photographer Viz @Viz_rod and what can i say it was one heck of a busy day we had a wonderful backdrop by kate backdrop ( Kate Backdrop | Shop UK 2024 Affordable Photography Backdrops ). It helped us out so much and I had so many people give me such good feedback on the back drop its made me think of the future and what i need to do and bring on the other events i do. it was like sardines inside of the venue it was crazy so i done a quick walk around and got a few shots and then went back out where the real party is. and it is the longest day so when it is later on in the day Viz gets out the neon lights and we had some more wild creativeness it was mad. We are always doing something on Saturday but it is so amazing and its so amazing to see so many people coming to see us for photos to be taken. A big thank you goes out to Kate backdrop for sponsoring me the backdrop. I would also like to thank everyone that came to see me and Viz it makes us feel so happy and makes the day go so quick.

SUNDAY

So the Sunday is normally a quite day where the photographers can relax and everyone normally out drinking Saturday night so not many people get up early but well this year because there was not just the MCM fans but now also the EGX fans it was mad I got there before the gates and it was filling up quick so once the gates open i was in and ready had a little walk around again before it was like sardines again and then back out to get the first shoot on the go but yeah Sunday are mostly chilled out days meet a few new people or others that could not do the Friday or Saturday and then its just people from the other days with different cosplays wanting photos of them because they have neve done it or they just want to work with me again.

Overall one of the most packed out event and one i can say i met loads more people and got my name out there so much across the country its made me so happy and proud i love going every year it would be amazing to next time get a live feed camera set up so people can see us working and do some BTS something for the fans. looking into getting more lights and a better lens.

Secret con

11 March 2026
Saturday. A new location for me is always a learning curve i feel it can be a big test and this one was a test in its own way from lighting mainly and settings also finding locations and following a map that was hard. I will say the cosplayers that attended that day where amazing sadly I didn't get to shoot with everyone that i wanted to shoot but i feel that's because there busy and i was busy but also trying to find each other was a nightmare because there was no phone signal what did not help at all. i will be looking into a radio system / base so when my next shoot is ready they can call me through it. It was definitely a test for lighting as well flash works well but also looking into more still lighting so then i can see and do a bit of both still and flash photography especially in the dark places where I really needed more light. overall the day went well it went too quick i think i had a little panic on seeing people and getting to shoot but I fell I will be changing things on how i work for the next one and will be doing some sort of booking for the first half of the day and then the second half having it open. I will say a big thank you to thecaptainvader for helping me with a lift for both days and thank you for Just_stephk for helping me out find the ride I needed there and back. Sunday. now i have semi learnt where to go but still getting lost was a nightmare but it was getting better still trying to find new location was a pain but was a ok thanks to the cosplayers out and about also the helpers it was always fun turning left when pose to turn right. Another day getting the lighting right and prepared and everything but it tested me and opened my eyes to get more still lighting. it was amazing to see different people and shoot with more different people i sadly feel i still didnt shoot some of the people i wanted to but how time flies when having fun creating it happens but i hope to shoot with them in the near future at other events. i am also in the making for a new top and jumper just for two amazing people to press the shit out of it and have a right laugh with them i will say a big thank to them because they kept the laughs going and fun going through out the day shooting trying to hide from each other and press my shoulder i fount them doing it a couple time but other times i was like what was that. and see them in the distance the two people are just_stephk and switch_8.9. thank you but just wait for the next one. And more of the double taps (hugs) inside confusion happened then. At the end there was a big smoke shoot what was amazing to see i was not there photographing but there to see how other people work and everything else so they had the thickest fog/ smoke in a part of the bunker was lit red and well you could just about see well when i was in the smoke i could only see the weapon of the co only see the cosplayer and that was fun so i will say a big thank you to Iphotouk and Declanscammell letting me be there to help out. I went there as a helper and to see what creations can be made and that is always a plus on my side of things because they all know that am not just here for my own creations but also to help out where needed. overall thank you to everyone for the fun and giggles during and after the con event i cant wait for the next one and cant wait to spend more money on lighting thanks to Iphotouk seeing his shots and sets he did. It has inspired me to add a few more to my collection. Also a new lens to get more creative as well. there will be a new layout and setup for how i work at the next con I may have a time slot thing half the day and then the other half leave empty. so then i know 100% I will get to shoot with the people that want to work with me but also work with new people on the fly. next secret con in June bring it on.

OCTOBER MCM

by AshleyGPhotography • 29 October 2025
Thursday Get into hotel I was staying at Moxy hotel what was an amazing stay and had bar and food and also pool really everything i needed. I do wish the bedrooms had proper allocated wardrobe for clothes so got there dead on 3pm chilled for a bit saw a couple of the friends clock in and all that then we just chilled I tried to get but passes early but there was some stupid rule just to put more money into the pockets of excel so I didn't do that. so back to the hotel waiting for one of my mates Ducky and then we went to the pub for pre con drinks and a chill met so many other con mates on the Thursday went back to the hotel and prepared for the weekend.

BSB

by AshleyGphotography • 29 October 2025
It was a mad time we get there Thursday with the caravan early and there was already a que to get in but the organisation skills were not the best at all. They got us to que then they started to let in the first lot but they had not enough people people to organise it correctly so people did just jump in the lines and everything not the best, once got there we got the normal sport and set up and hit the drink. Then in the morning got up cooked the breakfast and then that gets the day on the go prep the camera and then go to the track get some shots look at the stalls and all that to see if we get a barging but there was nothing . walk the track and then see some more racing and then go back to camp to start dinner most of the weekend was the same except Sunday because it was a bit wet from Saturday and then Sunday. but the racing was really good i wished it was closer on the points. lets bring on all the changes from systems to engines to teams its going to be a mad one next year i feel but also a really fun one.
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