Event Photography for Loneliness, Nostalgia and Stress - A photowalk to Medieval Festival in Hämeenlinna, Finland
I'll be honest: the arrival of autumn always weighs a little on my spirit. I find myself bracing for shorter days and the inevitable gloom of the Scandinavian weather. As autumn approaches, many of us start to feel a strange sense of nostalgia creeping in. If you're someone who's particularly sensitive to seasonal shifts or just looking for something enjoyable to brighten up your autumn, this article is for you!
Firstly, what comes to your mind when you hear ‘‘event photography’’?
For me, event photography is not about capturing moments—it's a way to refresh my mind, go on unplanned adventures and connect with new people. I've been photographing events since I was 14, and over the years, I’ve discovered that this creative practice offers unexpected benefits for both my mental and physical health.
Main Stage, Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Join me on a photo-walk through the Keskiaika or Medieval Festival in Hämeenlinä, Finland, where history, culture, and creativity come alive. As we explore this event, I’ll share how carrying a camera to events can do wonders for your self-esteem, creative spirit and well-being, especially in the autumn gloomy days.
Medieval Tents for 3-days living under the sky, Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
This year, something amazing happened—one of my clients from one of my online courses became a friend. I’m incredibly grateful for this connection, and I hope to form similar bonds with future clients, too! This August she invited me to join her at the Medieval Festival in Hämeenlinä, Finland.
I’d never been to a Medieval Festival before, and I immediately said, "Yes, let’s do it! I’ll bring my camera with me!"
There were over 100 tents set up for the temporary medieval community, housing all the craftsmen and their trades, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Stepping Back in Time: The Magic of the Keskiaika Festival
Before we dive into the benefits of photography for this autumn, let me give you a quick overview of the Keskiaika Festival in Hämeenlinä, Finland—a magic celebration of medieval history.
As they beautifully describe on their website—and as I experienced first-hand—this festival truly welcomes everyone, from teenagers and families to seniors and history lovers, offering three enchanting days of nonstop activities. Though I only attended for one day this year, the magic was undeniable. As you wander around the majestic Hämeenlinna Castle, you’ll stumble upon entertainers, acrobats, and troubadours. It is one of the kind experience! The historic camps are like stepping into a time machine, where you can either watch the action unfold or become part of the medieval world yourself.
The captivating Middle Age Pagan Show is making its way around the entire festival area, enchanting visitors with their lively music performances, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Some of the festival’s key highlights for me were the war horse camp, various types of Tarot readings, the medieval costumes and a few friendly farm animals. Needless to say, music plays throughout the day, with unique international orchestras setting the tone from morning to night. I mean…what to photograph first?!
For an even more memorable experience, you can witness dramatic battles at the Tournament Arena and explore the festival’s unique medieval craftwork, where artisans showcase and sell ceramics, metalwork, nature-based decorations, and more . Many things are possible in this magical parallel universe, but my favourite experience I got from this event was this:
The Keskiaika Festival is a photographer’s dream, where the blend of history, astrology, and nature gently weaves a subtle, magical atmosphere.
Now let’s get to the well-being benefits you can get from photographing your local events this autumn!
Sneak Peak into the Horse Camp, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Benefit #1 : Fostering Creative Growth
Event photography offers a powerful boost to your creativity. Why? The answer lays in your brain! You see, when you're photographing dynamic and varied scenes, your brain is constantly engaged in problem-solving and innovation.
Neuroscience shows that this kind of mental stimulation enhances brain plasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and grow.
Engaging with new and challenging environments, like an event where many things are happening at the same time, pushes you to play with your creativity in new ways. Many people moving in one enclosed space also encourages your brain to experiment with different photo-techniques and compositions. And if you were shy before to take photographs of people, now you can simply blend in with your camera and it will feel much more natural than street-photography, I promise you! This not only strengthens your creative skills but also boosts your confidence in time: what you can photograph, who you can photograph and when you can photograph.
Benefit #2 : Practice Mindfulness Effortlessly
Everyone seems to talk about mindfulness these days—and for a good reason. In a world increasingly overshadowed by unsettling visions of the future, political unrest, and economic instability, the need to ground both body and mind has never felt more urgent. We long to release the weight of stress and rediscover a sense of balance, seeking healthier ways to navigate through the chaos.
Let me tell you this: photography is a transformative force in reclaiming your inner balance! By intentionally focusing on moments of light, connection and beauty, you can deliberately immerse yourself in the present, quiet the noise within, and nurture a renewed sense of peace and hope for the future. Through the lens, we have the power to reshape how we see the world and, in turn, how we experience it.
A mom and her child watching the waves passing by, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Studies in neuroscience reveal that mindfulness practices (and yes, photography is an easy mindful practice you can try out!) can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and increase activity in areas of the brain associated with emotional regulation and attention.
Kids taking a dip in the lake surrounding the Hämeenlinna Castle, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Benefit #3: Combating Loneliness
In an era where loneliness is a growing concern, event photography can be a surprisingly effective remedy. Engaging in photography at social events provides an unique way to connect with others and break through isolation. As you focus on capturing moments and interacting with people, you naturally foster social connections and create a sense of community.
Five medieval men taking a moment to relax and enjoy a refreshing sauna (tent on the left) and a bath outdoors, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Neuroscience reveals that meaningful social interactions can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness by triggering the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "bonding hormone." Oxytocin helps to strengthen connections between people, creating a sense of trust and belonging. When you engage in photography at social events, you naturally interact with others, whether it's through casual conversations or by capturing shared moments.
In a time when many are feeling disconnected, photography offers a way to engage with the world, meet new people, and enrich your social life.
Two friends relax by the lake, taking in the serene view while being surrounded by the craftsmanship of metalworkers, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Two elf friends having lunch by the lake, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
Benefit #4: Enhancing Emotional Resilience
Going with your camera to attend events this autumn can surprisingly boost your emotional resilience, too. For me it works every single time! Immersing yourself in capturing the dynamic scenes of an event allows you to witness how people navigate various aspects of life. This exposure to diverse experiences can put your own problems into a new perspective, making them feel smaller in comparison with the whole.
Neuroscience shows that engaging in creative activities like photography strengthens brain areas responsible for emotional regulation and stress management.
By constantly adapting to new environments and observing others, you build greater resilience and a stronger sense of adaptability, which can positively impact how you cope with your own life challenges.
A personal photography story from the festival to inspire you
This portrait captures a man who, within minutes of me asking to photograph him, opened up about his deep love for his dog, its passing, and how this loss inspired his craft of making natural animal furs.
A stranger whose dog loss inspired his craft of making natural animal furs, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
I was surprised at how quickly we delved into such a profound subject. It’s often thought that connecting with strangers is difficult, but with a camera in hand, conversations can flow 10 times more naturally. I initially approached him because I was inspired by his animal furs, and this led to a genuine quick exchange.
Inside a craftsman's tent, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
My message for you: Have the courage to engage with people before photographing their belongings or themselves. You’ll uncover more honest, heartfelt moments, like the visible grief in this man’s story.
Outside a craftsman's tent, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
I asked this girl if I could photograph her beautiful long hair and she was positively surprised by my request, Häme Medieval Festival, Hämeenlinna, Finland, August 2024
A well-being photo-game for you to play with this September
If this is not the first time you read my blogs, you know I end up my blogs with a well-being photo-game you can practice by yourself in your own time in the following month. By subscribing to Creative Harmony email list , you can share your results with me and receive personalized feedback on both your creative photography skills and well-being journey. And yes, it’s free of charge!
Find an Event or Gathering: Use this photo game as an opportunity to attend a local event this September, or even a casual gathering with friends or family. If no events are available, a walk in the park or a visit to a busy public place will work just as well.
Document as an Observer: Aim to document the event as a third person, focusing on the interactions between people and how they connect with each other. Pay attention to the small details and subtle moments that reveal the positive aspects of life that you are attracted to, you cherish or you would like to see more in the world.
Be Courageous: If you’re feeling adventurous, approach someone and ask if you can take their portrait or capture only a small detail that caught your eye—whether it's something about their clothing, an activity they're engaged in, an object they sell or anything that resonates with you.
Share & Reflect: Send 2-3 of your photos to me via email, along with a brief reflection on how it felt to attend the event with your camera (no matter when you will read this blog, you can still send your photos to me). Consider the benefits you gained from the experience and what insights this photo-game gave you —whether it was feeling more connected, boosting your creativity, or simply enjoying the process.
With all of this being said, I hope this blog inspired you in any way and enlarged your understanding on why photography can help you enrich your life, health and well-being, especially for this September! See you next month!
Write me in the below comments section and let me know how this article resonated with you. Did you got any inspiration for it? Did you learn something new? What are your thoughts on macro photography?
For more tips and inspiration on how to improve your well-being with the help of photography, follow @creativeharmony.art on Instagram! Subscribe to the new Creative Harmony Youtube channel where I share insights into Finnish culture, creative photography tips, and glimpses into the artistic life of me and my partner - two international creative entrepreneurs working, creating and living in Finland.
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