If you’ve attended McMaster Engineering events like Convocation, Welcome Week, the Fireball Formal, or the Iron Ring celebration, you may have noticed Geoff Shaw capturing these moments. As the Faculty’s resident photographer, Geoff brings a unique perspective to these significant occasions. His personal connection to these events, having once experienced them as a student, adds a special touch to every photo he takes.
A proud Mac Eng alumnus, Geoff graduated from McMaster’s Computer Engineering program in 2021. Little did he know when he began his journey in engineering, it would open the door to his passion for photography, snapping photos for a plethora of McMaster events and eventually leading to the creation of his own photography business following graduation.
Geoff’s passion for photography blossomed in high school. “In Grade 10 I took a Comm-Tech class where I learned more about videography and taking artistic shots and that’s what grew my interest in landscape photography. Hamilton with all its waterfalls, and all its other cool places, was the perfect environment to photograph, and from there I went into portrait photography.”
There are many things Geoff loves about his craft, he says. “I enjoy the ability to be creative and make things that are my own. It’s always fun to see how I’ve improved with editing, shooting and working with people in the business.”
Over the course of Geoff photography career, he has captured many special life moments. “McMaster Engineering events are a favourite for me,” he says. “Last year, I did Convocation and took Iron Ring photos after the ceremony which is always fun because of what they mean for new graduates.”
Geoff’s work in photography extends beyond McMaster engineering events. He particularly enjoys working with couples for engagement sessions. “Working with couples is always fun because I can be highly creative with it and get all those artistic shots, whether it be wide shots or close-ups,” he says. “There are a lot of fun poses we can do, and we can just have a fun time with it.”
Upon reflecting on his Mac Eng experience, Geoff notes that studying engineering helped him develop more than just technical skills—it laid the foundation for his photography business.
“There are a lot of skills I learned in engineering that weren’t strictly technical skills that were helpful,” he says. “For example, learning how to learn in the best way for me. I took that with me an applied it to photography and entrepreneurship, as I had to teach that all to myself.”
Geoff also credits his work ethic and organizational skills to his time in the program.
Being in engineering you have six courses per semester, you have to grind and work hard and that translates into owning your own business and overseeing your own deadlines. You have to make sure that you are on track because no one is going to hold you accountable but yourself.