Every so often, a job comes along that reminds me why I love what I do. Photographing the Beath High School S6 Prom at Balbirnie House in Fife was one of those evenings. From the elegant setting to the excitement of the students arriving in style, it was a night full of laughter, energy and moments that were a joy to capture.
Balbirnie House is one of those special places. Situated near Glenrothes, it is an elegant country house hotel set in the heart of 400 acres of landscaped parkland. The house dates back to the late 1770s. It is Category A listed, and the grounds form part of Balbirnie Park. The architecture, the gardens, the mature trees, the sweeping lawns and the golf course nearby all make it perfect for a prom or formal evening. I am photographing a wedding here next year and again in 2027, so I am really looking forward to that. The way the light falls across the building in the early evening, the grand staircases and the rooms inside still retain much of their original charm while offering modern comforts, making Balbirnie a joy to photograph.
I arrived super early with Adam, my second photographer as always, and set about capturing the beautiful details and establishing shots of the venue. The prom goers had not yet arrived, so there was calm, and I used that time to photograph the exterior, the grand entrance, the interior staircases and the décor. We wanted to catch the venue in all its glory before everyone arrived.
When the prom goers arrived at the front of the Balbirnie staircase, the energy shifted. I took advantage of the calm before the storm to photograph solo and couple portraits on the stairs. There is something timeless about portraits with that grand staircase behind you.
As more people arrived, the atmosphere built up, full of excitement and laughter from many of the teenagers who were high on life and perhaps had been for pre-drinks at a mate’s house beforehand. We were invited into the drinks reception room, non-alcoholic drinks I may add, much to many of their disappointment, and I moved around the room getting relaxed candid shots. These moments are what I enjoy most: being unobtrusive, using a long lens to catch glances, laughter, small interactions and the way people naturally move when they think no one is watching. My camera sensor, with its high resolution, allows me to crop in without losing quality so those subtle moments can become some of my favourite images.
While I was catching those candid scenes, Adam was busy doing individual portraits. He has become very adept at that kind of work, and it was great to see him handle it with confidence.
Later the staff, who were fantastic from start to finish, invited everyone out onto the lawn. Public guests staying in the hotel remarked on how beautiful they all looked in their gowns and suits. On the lawn I was able to take larger group photos and some more portraits for those willing to have their photo taken in the evening light. We then gathered at the front steps of Balbirnie House for class photos. We did a full group, then girls, then boys. We finished with a teachers’ shot, and I was pleasantly surprised at how many teachers stayed for that. It is always good to see staff supporting their students so visibly.
After the group images we moved back inside to the main event room for speeches and dinner. To my surprise I received a gift from the organising committee to thank me for my efforts. I do not expect that at any event, but it always means a lot.
I captured the speeches, then gave space during the meal. I try as much as possible to take candid photos between courses while being respectful; no shots of people with food halfway to their mouth. Timing matters.
After the meal the DJ got the dancefloor moving. Alongside dance shots I alternated between photographing couples and small groups outside on the lawn and at the steps in front of Balbirnie House. The weather was lovely, so the evening light was soft, flattering and warm, ideal for romantic and fun photography.
I loved the energy and enthusiasm of everyone there. Watching young people dressed up, proud to be graduating high school, excited to be starting the next stage of their lives, laughing at each other’s jokes and celebrating their achievements was great to be part of. I hope to capture many more school proms in the coming years.
#BalbirnieHouse #FifePhotography #EventPhotographyScotland #PromPhotography #BalbirnieHouseFife #ScottishPhotography #FifePhotographer #BalbirnieEvents #ScotlandProms #KinrossPhotographer #BalbirnieHouseHotel #ScottishEvents #PhotographyInFife #HighSchoolProm
