It was our pleasure last week to spend a few days in York photographing the Autumn Meeting of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. This is a twice yearly, 3 day affair comprising an academic programme: lectures and presentations and a social programme: welcome receptions and gala dinners.

The Autumn Meeting was based in York at the Royal York Hotel adjacent to the National Railway Museum at which the Welcome Reception was held, with the Gala Dinner taking place at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall in the centre of the city.

These events pose a few photographic challenges: the academic sessions are normally in low light and a photographer's presence has to be discreet and non-intrusive. The dinner and welcome reception were opportunities to capture the delegates and guest speakers in a more relaxed environment and therefore somewhat easier.

The biggest challenge is normally the group photograph. Arranging 150 - 200 neurosurgeons in one space within a 20 minute window just before lunch is not the simplest of tasks (and being 10 feet up a ladder adds to the challenge!) But we got the shot with me perched aloft and Pat arranging the subjects.

The SBNS administration team were great to work with as were the delegates themselves, so it was a real pleasure to be there for the week.

This is our third assignment from the SBNS to shoot their Bi-Annual conference and we look forward to many more.

Their next meeting is in Newcastle in April 2016 at the Sage and we hope to be there with them then.