This past Saturday, I attended the Texas Photography Festival, and as always, it did not disappoint. This event is easily my favorite of the year, my personal Super Bowl if you will. From the moment I arrived, I was excited to dive into a full day of photography, inspiration, and community.

The day started with the KEH morning photo walk, which was perfectly timed with Pistons on the Square still being set up. Classic cars from around town filled the area, giving us plenty of opportunities to capture the details, colors, and character of these vintage beauties. I focused on getting close-ups of intricate hood ornaments, reflections in polished chrome, and the rich textures of leather interiors. Walking through the town with my camera in hand, surrounded by fellow photographers, felt like the perfect way to start the festival. The energy was great, and there was something really satisfying about blending the nostalgia of old vehicles with the candid moments of people wandering the streets, admiring the craftsmanship of these classic machines.

After the walk, I listened to the opening remarks by David Valdez, a former White House photographer who shared his journey in photography and the history of how the festival started. Following that, Karine Aigner, a National Geographic photographer, took the stage as the first speaker of the day. Her talk was incredibly inspiring. She spoke about her experiences in wildlife and conservation photography, how she built her career, and the challenges she overcame. There is something about hearing another photographer's struggles and triumphs that reignites my own passion for what I do. I walked away from her talk feeling energized and eager to keep pushing forward on my own path.

I was not able to attend the second photo walk since it had already reached max capacity. Instead, a few friends and I took the time to explore the square, stopping by the Nikon booth to check out the latest gear because who does not love eyeing new camera equipment before grabbing a quick lunch. I got to test out a few lenses and see how they handled in different lighting conditions, which was a fun hands-on experience. Before we knew it, it was time for the afternoon photo walk, the one I had been looking forward to the most.

This walk was all about street portraits, and I could not have been more excited. There were three models present, and having the opportunity to work on capturing portraits in a more dynamic, real-world setting was exactly what I had hoped for. The host of the walk was fantastic, offering tips and answering any questions we had. One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning how to direct models naturally in an outdoor setting while adapting to shifting light conditions. I experimented with different compositions, using alleyways and storefronts as backdrops to create a sense of depth and character in my shots. I walked away feeling really good about the photos I captured.

Lastly, I attended a workshop focused on single-light studio portrait photography. This session was a game-changer for me. The instructor broke down how to use a single light source effectively to create dramatic and flattering portraits. We went over different light modifiers like softboxes, umbrellas, and reflectors, learning how each one shaped the light in unique ways. I practiced positioning the light at various angles to create different moods, from high-contrast, moody shots to soft and even lighting. This workshop reinforced the idea that you do not need an elaborate studio setup to create professional-quality portraits, just a strong understanding of light and how to control it. It was an incredibly valuable session that I will be applying to my future portrait work.

Looking back, the Texas Photography Festival once again proved why it is my favorite event of the year. The combination of great people, hands-on experiences, and inspiring talks makes it something I look forward to every time. Whether it was shooting classic cars in the morning, taking in an inspiring keynote, working on my street portraits in the afternoon, or learning about single-light studio techniques, every moment of the day reminded me why I love photography.

Until next year, Texas Photography Festival. I will be counting down the days.

📸 If you want to see more from my experience, be sure to check out the full gallery where I have shared some of my favorite shots from the festival. You can find it here: Photo Gallery 📸

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Until next time y’all, keep creating!

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Diz