USAF DINING OUT PHOTOGRAPHY

Check out our Columbus event photography sessions for more sessions like this USAF dining out photography session in the area.

On a contract we were really unsure about in Ohio, we got to meet Casandra + Austin. We initially met to do their Cleveland engagement photos (we also discovered we like puzzles). We would later fly back while living in San Diego to provide them with our Cleveland wedding photography services. Getting to know them through the few days of taking photos we built a good friendship together.

Casandra got in touch for another session and it worked out to also be there for this event. I was happy to capture the USAF Dining Out Photography with the United States Air Force ROTC members. With a number of the ROTC members graduating it was an honor to the future leaders of the Air Force.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

It was a rainy night and Casandra lead the charge to organize the events of the evening. She had a lot of details to oversee for it and it was the last event before her graduation. Upon arriving she had to jump right into oversight and manage everything. I jumped into figuring out photos and interacting with everyone – which I love doing 🙂

The night began with some formalities; presentation of colors, presentation of missing man table and the introduction of special guests including Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark. After the introductions, recipients accepted awards from various presenters to a number of students who stood out.

OHIO EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

With this being my first United States Air Force Event photography experience there was a lot to learn and observe. The newest and strangest tradition was the presentation and consumption of the Air Force grog. The grog consists of a random assortment of ingredients decided by the planning committee. On this particular evening the grog included red bull, lemon juice, milk, syrup and other various ingredients. The combination of ingredients made a sludge that was quite rough to look at. To top it off the grog ingredients were all poured into a toilet bowl. The attendees would have to recite a rhyme and call out others to drink from the bowl.

There was a particular order to properly drinking the grog which started with saluting. After the salute they poured grog into their cup and turned to the audience to drink all of it. They then had to hold it over their head to show it was completely finished. The final step to complete the ritual was to turn and salute the grog again. If you missed any of the previous steps you had to repeat the process and do it all over again.  If someone called upon you, you could defend yourself or drag others in with you.

MILITARY EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

The evening festivities continued while we ate dinner and others had the opportunity to call out others for grog. The graduating class were announced one by one with their families under a saber arch. The evening finished with a speech from Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark and Colonel Kevin Cullen.  It was a true honor to be witness to the events of the evening. Thank you to Casandra for coordinating my involvement for this USAF Dining Out photography session. Above all honor and give an extra special thanks to the men and women who serve our country.