Photographing the Cliffs Pavilion Panto Meet & Greet with Rylan in Southend
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Panto season at the Cliffs Pavilion has its own energy. The lights, the sparkle, the sense that everyone’s arrived ready for a bit of escapism. This night in Southend-on-Sea had all of that, plus a cast and crew meet and greet that made for brilliant event photography.
My focus was the corporate meet and greet moments: guests arriving, conversations starting, the natural reactions when people spot Rylan, and the quieter behind-the-scenes pockets that tell the real story of an event. The Southend Mayor also attended, which added a nice sense of occasion to an already buzzing room.
Meet and greet photography: candid, natural, and discreet
This is exactly the sort of coverage I enjoy most. It’s not about lining people up and firing a flash at them. It’s about reading the room and capturing genuine moments as they happen: the laughs, the handshakes, the quick chats, the “how is it already this festive?” expressions.
Rylan was a natural centre of attention, full of energy and easy with guests, which meant the interactions felt relaxed and photogenic rather than forced. Around that, the cast and crew kept the atmosphere warm and lively, and it all came together in a way that felt very Cliffs Pavilion at Christmas.
A local school choir performance that lifted the room
The evening also featured a local school choir singing for guests. From a photography point of view it’s a gift: real expressions, lots of togetherness, and a sense of community that instantly makes the story feel more personal than “just another event”.
Glitz, glamour, and the people who make it work
Alongside the headline moments, I made sure to photograph the wider story: guests chatting after the meet and greet, the festive styling, and the staff and crew keeping the evening running smoothly. Those details matter, because they’re the glue that turns a set of photos into a proper event narrative.
How I photographed it (and why there’s no flash)
My approach is storytelling, reportage, and discreet coverage. I didn’t use flash because I wanted to keep the atmosphere natural and preserve the light in the room. It also helps people stay present, rather than feeling like they’re being photographed every time they move.
If you’re planning an event at the Cliffs Pavilion, or anywhere across Southend-on-Sea and Essex, and you want photography that captures the real energy without turning it into a staged photoshoot, you can get in touch via my contact page or see more of my work as an Essex event photographer.
