The 2024 Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade was a unique event for me. I have attended the parade in the past as a resident and always enjoyed it. This year, the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce asked me to be the official parade photographer. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to capture this parade.
As an event photographer, preparation is key to a successful outcome. I met with chamber staff earlier and was provided a parade list so I would know the order of each entrant. We discussed use of the images and parade-day logistics.
The next element to preparing for an event like this is being ready for the weather. When I met with the staff, the Friday forecast was sunny and 38 degrees. On the day of the event – as I arrived – it was near-blizzard conditions and about 28 degrees. I had contingencies for cold weather, and my Leica gear was weather-tight, so I was ready. In addition, I had back-up batteries for all three cameras and I was pleased with how the Cotton Carrier belt system worked for my cameras.
What would I have done differently? Not much. Due to the snow, I ended up switching to a heavier coat, which made me too warm. I should have stuck with my original plan. I was surprised by how fast the parade moved. When you are sitting and watching, the pace seems slow. When you are in it, it seems to fly by.
