Behind the lens at AHRI’s National Convention & Exhibition 2025

2000+ attendees. 50+ speakers. 80+ sponsors.

And our on-site photography crew right at the heart of it all.

In this edition of: “What’s happening at the DataSauce HQ anyway?” we’re taking you OUT of office actually. On a plane. To Sydney, at the ICC convention centre. 

Last month, our clients at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) hosted the National Convention & Exhibition 2025 (NCE) at ICC Sydney – and we were lucky enough to tag along, cameras in hand. For those who aren’t a fiend for HR, you can think of NCE as the TED Conference of the HR world. An annual HR event in Australia where the sharpest minds in human resources gather to share insights, spark conversations, and shape the future of work.

With this year’s theme: “IGNITE: Fuelling Human Potential,” thousands of local and international HR leaders dove into everything from people strategy to workplace culture, leadership, and the future of talent. 

Featuring more than 50 speakers across keynotes, panels, and masterclasses, the ICC halls were alive with networking and collaboration. Plus the kind of idea-swapping that could put Socrates and his philosopher friends to shame.

In-the-moment action shots are, well… In.

Events like NCE are big, bold, buzzing. 

Everything’s happening everywhere all the time. And the most unforgettable moments live amidst the in between – and that’s something only a good ol’ candid shot can capture.

Unscripted and (mostly) unposed, it’s where we came in that day.

When it comes to our Photography and Videography offering – specifically that of an event photography service – stiff and staged shots are a no-no.

Lauren, our Creative Lead, has been wielding a camera for over 10 years. And if you’ve seen her average day-in-the-life here, you’ll know that on-site shoots like this are 1) Her bread and butter, and 2) Just another Tuesday for Lauren.

Except this Tuesday involved bottling up the spirit of NCE into hundreds of photos and videos, so AHRI and the HR community can relive it long after the lights go down.

‍

‍

Candids just have this, eh, how you say, je ne sais quoi, no?

Toss a client anniversary in there too, why don’t we?

Whilst we’re at it, August also marked something extra special. The first anniversary of the DataSauce x AHRI partnership, characterised by growth aplenty over just 12 months.

Almost as big of a deal as the NCE.

We’re a big fan of client partnerships that go far beyond digital strategy and into the IRL. Sure, this relationship did start like it always does (with Meta Ads and Google Ads), but it’s evolved into one that shows up wherever our client needs us – online and off.

So, as much as this little update was to spotlight our time with AHRI at the 2025 NCE, it may or may not also have been a subtle reminder that we do on-site shoots as well.

Like any good full-service digital marketing agency would.

Want your event / brand activation to be the next subject of Lauren’s camera? Or just have something in your marketing strategy that calls for a professional event photographer? 

Find her (or us) here.