Last weekend I had the chance to photograph the Autumn Fair in Kaunas, Lithuania, and I want to share some of my impressions. This fair is one of those events that completely transforms the city center, filling the long pedestrian street of Freedom Alley with life, colors, and people from all over Lithuania. For several hours, I walked through the fair with my camera, capturing traders, buyers, and small but meaningful interactions.
It was actually a commissioned assignment for me, which made it even more special. I really enjoy photographing events, and getting paid for something I love is the perfect combination. At the same time, I felt more responsibility than usual, so of course there was a bit of stress involved. Still, once I started taking photos, I got into the flow and truly enjoyed the atmosphere.
The fair was huge, stretching along the Alley, which is already a long and lively street. Everywhere I turned, there were traders with their stands, selling everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to traditional food, drinks, and gifts. What I liked the most was watching the traders communicate with people: smiling, explaining, encouraging them to try or taste something. Many of them came from different parts of Lithuania, so it really felt like the whole country came together for this celebration.
One of the activities was a quiz organized in one part of the fair. The topic was climate change and pollution. People passing by could stop and try to answer a question, and if they got it right, they were rewarded with a fabric tote bag. It was such a nice idea because it both educated people and gave them something practical as a gift. The audience got really engaged – I saw several people eagerly raising their hands to answer. I loved capturing those spontaneous smiles when someone got a bag as a prize.
There were also plenty of spaces for children. Families could enjoy activities together, so the fair was not just about shopping but also about entertainment. This gave the whole event a warm, community-like feeling. I think that’s why I enjoy photographing fairs so much – they are full of emotions, from the laughter of children to the curiosity of buyers and the pride of the sellers.
After finishing my assignment, I returned the next day with my boyfriend, this time as a visitor. I wanted to look at the fair not through the camera but with my own eyes and even buy some gifts. It felt good to simply walk around, try some food, and enjoy the festive atmosphere without the pressure of photographing everything.
With all this experience, I realized that I tend to take a lot of photos, too many. I don’t yet have my unique style, so I shoot a lot just to be safe, and later I have to spend quite a bit of time selecting the best ones. It’s a process, and I know I will improve over time, but it’s also exciting to be on this learning journey.
Looking back, this fair was not only a great opportunity for me professionally but also personally. I got to capture the energy of a big city event, meet new people, and also just enjoy being part of it as a local resident. Kaunas really comes alive during such events, and the mixture of traditions, new ideas, and simple human interactions is what makes it worth photographing.
I hope you enjoy the photos I’m sharing below. They tell the story much better than words, but I wanted to give you some context about the day. The Autumn Fair was full of traders, conversations, laughter, small surprises like the quiz game, and the everyday beauty of people simply being together.
I will share a Part 2 of this experience with photos from concerts and folk dances!
