From Our Photo Booth to the Gallery Wall: Dom's "Observe the World" Exhibition at The Hive

There are moments in business where the work stops being about the work, and starts being about the people. This is one of those moments. We are incredibly proud to announce that Dom, one of our lead booth attendants who has been part of the CandidCamera family for over two years, has been commissioned by The Hive gallery in Blackpool to exhibit his own photography collection.

The exhibition, titled "Observe the World", is now showing at The Hive on Church Street and runs over the coming weeks. If you're anywhere near Blackpool, we genuinely encourage you to visit. You won't be disappointed.

Who Is Dom?

If you've had a CandidCamera photo booth, magic mirror, or selfie pod at your event over the past couple of years, there's a good chance Dom was the person making sure everything ran perfectly. He's been one of our most dependable lead attendants — the kind of team member who turns up early, reads the room, and makes every guest feel at ease in front of the camera.

But what many of our clients don't know is that Dom is also a seriously talented photographer in his own right. Currently in his second year studying photography at Blackpool and The Fylde College, he's been quietly developing a distinctive eye for composition, light, and storytelling that goes well beyond what you'd expect from someone still in education.

Dom also runs his own photography business, DR Photography, offering professional corporate, event, and wedding photography across the Fylde Coast and Lancashire. His natural and dynamic shooting style — the same instinct that makes him brilliant at capturing candid moments in our booths — translates beautifully into his personal creative work.

"Observe the World" — What to Expect

The exhibition title tells you everything you need to know about Dom's approach to photography. He doesn't stage. He doesn't force. He observes. And then he captures what he sees with a sensitivity and perspective that feels both intimate and universal.

"Observe the World" is a collection that invites viewers to slow down and really look at the moments we normally walk past — the textures, the light, the quiet details of everyday life that most people miss entirely. It's photography that rewards patience, the kind of work that stays with you after you've left the gallery.

Being commissioned to exhibit is a significant achievement for any photographer, let alone someone still completing their studies. This isn't a student show or a group exhibition — this is Dom's own curated body of work, selected and exhibited by one of Blackpool's most respected independent galleries.

About The Hive

The Hive is an independent, non-profit creative community and gallery space located at 80–82 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HP. Describing itself as "The Alternative Gallery Space," it's a female-led creative safe space that has become one of the Fylde Coast's most important platforms for emerging and established artists alike.

The gallery sits above The Hive café and urban farm shop — a brilliant venue that combines art, coffee, and community in the heart of Blackpool's town centre. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, it's free to visit and always worth the trip.

The Hive curates exhibitions in-house, runs flash expos, and produces arts-based projects across Blackpool and the Fylde. Past exhibitions have featured painters, sculptors, mixed-media artists, and photographers — making it the perfect home for Dom's first major solo showing. You can follow their latest exhibitions on Facebook and Instagram.

Why This Matters to Us

At CandidCamera, we've always believed that the people behind the cameras are just as important as the equipment in front of them. When you book one of our photo booths or magic mirrors, you're not just getting a bit of kit — you're getting someone like Dom, who genuinely understands photography, loves what he does, and brings real creative energy to every event.

Watching Dom grow over these two years has been one of the most rewarding parts of running this business. He joined us as a student looking for experience and has developed into someone whose work is now being exhibited in a respected gallery. That trajectory speaks volumes about his talent, his dedication, and the kind of person he is.

We couldn't be prouder of him.

Go and See It

If you're in Blackpool over the coming weeks, make time to visit "Observe the World" at The Hive. It's free, it's beautiful, and it's the work of someone who genuinely sees the world differently.

• Exhibition: "Observe the World" by Dom (DR Photography)
• Venue: The Hive, 80–82 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HP
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
• Admission: Free
• Dom's website: dr-photography.co.uk

And if this post has reminded you that the people behind your event entertainment matter, get in touch with us about your next event. You might just get Dom on the night — and now you'll know exactly how talented the person running your photo booth really is.