Meet The Client
- RSC-BMCS / SCI 23rd Medicinal Chemistry Symposium
- Location: Churchill College & St John’s College, Cambridge
- Project Type: Event & Conference Photography
- Date: 16th September 2025
Key Deliverables
Key Deliverables
This project covered both academic and social storytelling, capturing RSC-BMCS / SCI 23rd Medicinal Chemistry Symposium formal talks and networking sessions at Churchill College, followed by the prestigious evening gala at St John’s College.
- Over 500 professionally edited images, carefully curated to reflect the full scope of the event
- Coverage of keynote talks, poster presentations, networking and exhibition stands
- Portraits of speakers, attendees, and first-time presenters
- Documentary-style imagery of the gala and architecture of both historic colleges
- A cohesive gallery designed for web, press, and future event promotion
About The Client
The RSC-BMCS / SCI Medicinal Chemistry Symposium is one of the UK’s leading scientific events, bringing together researchers and industry leaders from across the world. Hosted between the University of Cambridge’s Churchill College and St John’s College, it’s a landmark conference for those shaping the future of medicinal chemistry.
Each year, it draws hundreds of delegates to exchange ideas, share research, and celebrate collaboration. The event features cutting-edge science, poster sessions, and a gala dinner that connects academics and professionals in a setting steeped in history and prestige.
For 2025, the symposium aimed to capture its legacy in a new way, through professional photography that documented not just the sessions, but the spirit of connection, inspiration, and discovery that defines the event.
What The Photoshoot Achieved
Complete conference storytelling
A press ready image library
People focused speaker and delegate portraits
Captured prestige, place and atmosphere
The Client Brief
I was given privileged access to both Churchill and St John’s Colleges to document the 23rd Medicinal Chemistry Symposium, a chance to capture an international academic community at its best.
At Churchill College, the focus was on the science: lectures, poster sessions, exhibitors, and moments of conversation between students and senior researchers. Later, at St John’s College, the story shifted to elegance and celebration, guests walking across the Bridge of Sighs, networking in candlelit halls, and the opening of the evening gala.
This shoot was about balance: showing the serious, technical side of the conference, while also revealing the warmth and human connection behind it.
Nate was an absolute star when he came into our office to get headshots and office shots of me & the team. I loved the fact that he really took the time before the shoot to understand exactly what we wanted out of it and made sure that he turned up on the day with a full brief and all the right equipment for the shots required. The team were not exactly enthusiastic about the photoshoot (who is?) but Nate was brilliant at making everyone feel at ease and in doing so he got some lovely natural shots that totally captured everyone's individual personality as well as our team dynamics. Nate is friendly, relaxed, engaging but very professional and efficient. He has a lovely way with everyone and was delightful for the whole 4 hours he spent with us. Not only that, we had a tight turnaround for the photos themselves and Nate went above and beyond to edit the photos and provide the finished gallery to us within days of the shoot. This was very much appreciated. The photos are now proudly being used across our socials and website. I would highly recommend Nate for headshots, natural office shots & all types of corporate photography.
The Creative Approach
This was a rare opportunity, photographing inside two of Cambridge’s most iconic colleges, each with its own atmosphere and light.
I approached the day with two cameras: a 24–70mm lens to stay close and capture intimate moments, and a 70–200mm for clean, flattering portraits and quiet shots during the talks. My aim was to keep things as natural as possible. using flash only when needed, and working with available light to respect the tone of the venue.
At Churchill, I focused on storytelling: researchers deep in discussion, students standing proudly beside their first posters, speakers mid-presentation, and exhibitors sharing their work. The challenge was movement. people constantly shifting between sessions so timing, awareness, and composition were key.
At St John’s, the tone changed. The architecture demanded attention: the symmetry of the courtyard, the gothic lines of the Bridge of Sighs, the soft evening light falling on formalwear. I wanted to show the sense of occasion, the way science, tradition, and community intertwined in one of the world’s most beautiful academic settings.
A Personal Note from Nate
Because even in science, storytelling matters.
Every detail counts
From the quiet concentration of a student’s first presentation to the laughter shared over dinner, I wanted to honour both the intellect and the humanity behind this event.
A rare privilege
Photographing at St John’s and Churchill Colleges offered a glimpse into the traditions of academia, a chance to blend modern documentary photography with centuries of heritage.
Where it’s heading
These images mark the start of something new for the symposium, a visual legacy that will help it grow, attract future delegates, and celebrate the people who make it all possible.
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