Staffordshire Event Photography

Photographing Events Beyond Weddings (And Why I Love the Variety)

When people ask what I photograph, weddings are usually the first thing that comes to mind. And don’t get me wrong, I love weddings. But they’re only part of what I do. I’m also an Event photographer in Birmingham and The Midlands. One of the things I enjoy most about being a photographer is not doing the same thing every weekend. I photograph all kinds of events, and honestly, the variety is what keeps me inspired.

From high-energy dancefloors to chilled outdoor gatherings, from DJs and performers to behind-the-scenes moments, every event has its own rhythm. And I love stepping into that, camera in hand, ready to capture everything while having a little dance myself.

One event that really stood out for me this year was photographing @chanceseventsuk, a limited series of events set deep in the woods of the Staffordshire countryside. It was atmospheric, creative, and completely different from anything else I’d shot recently and that’s exactly why I loved it.

A Unique Open-Air Event Deep in the Staffordshire Woods

This wasn’t your standard event venue. No four walls, no predictable layout. Instead, it was a unique open-air space surrounded by trees, tucked away in the countryside, and designed to feel immersive from the moment you arrived. As an event photographer Birmingham and Midlands based, events like this instantly get my attention.

There’s something special about being outdoors when it’s done properly. Nature becomes part of the experience, the textures, the sounds and the changing light all adding to the story I’m there to document.

Because Chances is a limited series of events, there was also a real sense of being in the moment. Nothing felt rushed or overdone. People were present, relaxed, and ready to enjoy themselves, which always makes for better photos.

Chasing the Light (And Loving Every Second of It)

One of my favourite parts of the evening was watching the sun go down over the event. As daylight faded, the atmosphere shifted completely. The woods took on a different feel, shadows grew longer, and suddenly everything felt more intimate.

This is where event photography really comes alive for me. I love working with changing light. Adapting, reacting, and finding new angles as the environment evolves. You can’t hit pause at live events, and that’s part of the challenge.

Golden hour turning into dusk, dusk turning into night – it’s a photographer’s dream when it’s paired with a great setting like this.

Why I love photographing live events

If you know me, you know I get genuinely excited about good lighting. Give me creative lighting and I’m instantly buzzing with ideas.

This event absolutely delivered on that front. As the sun disappeared, the lighting took over beautifully. Warm glows, dramatic highlights, and well-thought-out placement transformed the woodland space without overpowering it. Then the stage lights and lasers kicked into full force, with pyrotechnics adding to the spectacle. Set against the woodland backdrop, it was dramatic all over again and looked incredible both live and in the photos.

Good lighting doesn’t just make photos look better, it changes how people move, where they gather, and how the energy flows. It gives me so much to work with creatively, and the end result is stronger, more dynamic images that actually reflect how the event felt, not just how it looked.

Capturing Everything (Not Just the Obvious Moments)

One thing that’s really important to me when photographing events is not missing anything. It’s never just about one focal point — it’s about the full experience.

At this event, that meant:

• Dancers bringing movement and personality to the space
• DJs completely locked into the vibe
• People connecting, laughing and losing themselves in the music
• Small details that tie everything together
• Those blink-and-you-miss-it moments that make events memorable

I’m constantly moving, scanning and reacting. One minute I’m shooting wide to show the scale of the event, the next I’m right in the middle of the action. And yes, if the music’s good, I’ll probably be bopping along with it. I find that being part of the energy helps me capture it more naturally.