Some photography opportunities come unexpectedly, and I always find it interesting to see how small steps from the past can lead to new experiences later.
About a year ago, I completed my photography internship at a local news portal in Kaunas. During that time, I had the opportunity to photograph different events, meet people, and get a better understanding of what event and press photography looks like in a more professional environment.
Even though my internship has already ended, from time to time they still contact me when they need someone to photograph an event. It doesn't happen very often—usually only a couple of times per year—but I always appreciate these opportunities because they remind me how valuable those first experiences were.
This time I was invited to photograph a live discussion event about education and schools. It was organized as a live broadcast, so the main audience was actually watching online rather than being physically present at the location.
The event took place in a bar, which created a more relaxed and informal atmosphere compared to traditional conference spaces. There wasn't a large audience sitting in front of the speakers. Most of the people there were simply visitors who happened to be at the bar, while the main viewers were watching the discussion online through the live stream.
I actually found this type of event interesting to photograph because it was different from larger public events. There were no big crowds, no constant movement, and no need to fight for space. Instead, I could focus more on the details—the emotions of the speakers, small interactions between them, and the moments that happen naturally during a conversation.
The event lasted around an hour and a half, and after it finished, I had to quickly select and edit the photographs before sending them back. Working with a deadline like this is a good reminder of how important it is to have an efficient workflow as a photographer. Taking the photos is only one part of the process; selecting the strongest images, editing them, and preparing them for delivery is just as important.
Luckily, the conditions were quite comfortable for photography. Since the event took place outdoors in the evening, the natural light was actually very helpful. The sunlight was soft and pleasant, which created a nice atmosphere in the photographs. Good lighting can make a huge difference, especially when photographing people during conversations.
Another thing that made this event easier to photograph was the smaller number of people. At crowded events, it can sometimes be challenging to move around, find different angles, or capture moments without distracting others. Here, I had much more freedom to walk around, experiment with compositions, and choose the perspectives that worked best.
This time it was a relaxed evening focused on conversations, ideas, and sharing different perspectives about education. I am happy that I could capture some of those moments and share them here.
Below I am sharing some photographs from this live discussion event. I hope they give you a small look into the atmosphere of the evening and the moments I was able to capture behind the camera.
