I used to dislike event photography so much, and I will tell you why.
Back in 2021, when I started learning photography from my former boss, I used to tell him all the time how much I disliked the idea of shooting events. My thought process was mostly shaped by how chaotic events looked every single time we had one to shoot. I followed my boss to a couple of weddings and, oh Lord, it was always so chaotic, although still very beautiful in its own way.
The constant battles photographers have to get into with guests entering the frame anyhow. One minute you’re trying to get the perfect shot of the couple, the next minute someone’s uncle has stepped right into the frame with his phone out. And then there are the videographers too. They’re also doing their jobs and trying to get the best shots, so sometimes they bump into the frame as well. It’s nobody’s fault really, but in the moment it can feel like complete madness.
Then there’s the issue of lighting. Trying to adjust lights to suit whatever environment has been created by the interior designers and light engineers can be a lot. Sometimes the lighting looks beautiful to the eyes but is very tricky for the camera. And it gets even worse when it’s an outdoor event. At that point, you are literally at the mercy of natural light, weather, and timing.
On top of that, photographers are always running around trying to capture the best moments before they disappear. I remember watching all of this happening and imagining myself doing it alone someday, and I just couldn’t see it. Me? Inside all that chaos and tension? Soft babe like me 😭😂
I remember clearly telling my boss back then that event photography was not something I would be interested in once I started practicing photography professionally.
Fast forward to now that I have picked photography back up again, and I think I’m beginning to see things differently. I feel more open-minded toward different kinds of photography than I was before. In fact, I think I’m starting to appreciate the idea of shooting weddings and events generally.
Interestingly enough, I’m currently with my boss at a wedding right now. And surprisingly, I’m actually quite excited about this one. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds and capturing some beautiful moments.
Even though I am now more open to exploring different areas of photography, I still know what I want my main focus to be in the long run, which is travel photography. That has always been something that truly excites me.
However, I also don’t want to limit myself to just one kind of photography. I want to explore, learn, and experience as much as I can. Photography is such a vast field, and I think there’s something valuable to learn from every type of shoot.
So while travel photography may be my ultimate direction, I’m embracing the idea of being dynamic and flexible as a photographer. Who knows? Some of the experiences I gain along the way might shape my journey in ways I never expected.