I’m currently in London for the Society of Photographers Convention, absorbing as much as I can from the masterclasses, catching up with people, chatting and networking, and sneaking in to listen to the judges deliberate over scores (even though I haven’t entered any images).
The first masterclass I attended was a practical one, and I very nearly didn’t go. It was a walk-about street photography masterclass, and I was self-conscious that I’d only brought a little camera with me rather than my proper kit. It turned out my new little camera, bought to remind me of the joy of just taking photos for fun, was just the right tool for the job!
I had a brilliant time pottering around Hammersmith with the Masterclass speaker Ross Grieve, and my fellow delegates, taking photos just because.
Going Back To My Photography Roots
It triggered something in me, something I’d forgotten.
I often talk about the origin story of SuperFunkyPenguin. How it was an accidental start-up 11 years ago, when I began shooting event photography for monthly toddle-friendly concerts.
But the story goes back well beyond that.
I didn’t really know the term “street photography” at the time, but that’s what I did, and I loved it. I did it for me, just because.
My photography today still brings in some of the aspects of I learned from this style of photography.
It’s all about observation, and capturing people in a natural way, not heavily posed.
I’ve added to my skillset over the years, but the fundamentals came from simply walking around, seeing stuff and photographing it.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love brand photography – telling my clients’ stories in the most genuine way I can, and helping them to be more visible to reach the right people. But the joy I felt exploring with my little camera, and simply capturing life, felt incredibly freeing.
