Lens-Artists #407: Celebrations Around the World

lens-artists, Photography

Patti wrote; I hope you join us this week and share your celebrations from near and far. Show us unique, universal, and memorable events that endure in your memories. Limit your photos to 5, if you can!

How and what do you celebrate in your part of the world or in places you’ve traveled? Do you commemorate an historical event? The grape or olive harvest? Religious events? Do you go to music festivals? What milestone events do you commemorate? Show us joyful, solemn, traditional, or avant-garde festivals, parades, feasts, holidays…to name a few. She does give us lots of Ideas.If you haven’t seen it yet, I urge you have look at her post.

We often celebrate around food, these are taken when we celebrated out 30th anniversary.

Now I am trying to decide how to approach this theme. I am going to just jump here and there…

Five is going to be easy for me, as I don’t have that many festive photos. I am not big on photographing celebrations, or participating in them, preferring the quieter moments that often go unnoticed. I like more intimate parties so that you can talk and more importantly hear others as well, immersing myself in genuine conversations that reveal deeper connections and shared stories. Those are my kind of celebrations; the laughter, the warmth, and the meaningful exchanges become the highlight of the event for me. The thing is, I usually don’t take photos then, as I find myself engaged in the moment, enjoying the atmosphere rather than capturing it through a lens. Instead of preserving memories in photos I treasure them in my heart, believing that some memories are best experienced in real-time, without the distraction of a camera. That is only half true, I do take photos on some occasions, but nowadays to post them is always not so straightforward.

The six friends joyfully sharing laughter on wide, tiered stone steps in Sydney, with a large white sculpture in the foreground and a modern glass building reflecting the vibrant atmosphere. The scene captures the essence of friendship and the simple joys of youth, illuminated by soft daylight.
A group of friends enjoying a relaxed day at the beach under a sky filled with fluffy clouds, it was a celebration of friendship and selfies if I recall correctly. Shot in South Beach Miami
Well Once or twice I have also taken firework shot, this was New Year 15 years ago 😂
A wedding party waiting from the happy couple to arrive for the photoshoot.

Life is a chaotic celebration demanding your full attention, so don’t take it for granted! In this relentless race, wake up and recognize the beauty that surrounds you—it’s time to spread some serious positivity and shake things up! ( I should take up my own advice ) I am looking forward to seeing your celebrations.

Last week, Anne hosted a perfectly themed Summer Daze challenge. It featured delightful hazy lazy summer days, beautiful settings, stunning sunsets, and plenty of enjoyment, making it a truly relaxing photographic adventure.

Next week is Egídio’s turn to lead us, Saturday 8th August.

You can keep up with all of our challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio,  Beth. Ritva, 

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.

Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset

The Header is from Paso Robles wineries in California

Sunny day, wine, and live music makes for a celebration of summer

30 thoughts on “Lens-Artists #407: Celebrations Around the World”

  5. Loved your approach Ritva. Agree celebrations can be large or small, popular or shared with a small group of friends and/or family. You’ve covered the topic beautifully.

  7. Like most commenting here, am also into smaller and warmer gatherings but some of your photos here are most ‘appropriate’ 🙂 !

  8. I love your examples, Ritva.

    The Sydney steps is an interesting one. Certainly one I haven’t seen before.

    The food looks scrumptious. Any day is a celebratory day when you share good food with family or friends.

  10. I also love your take on the challenge, Ritva. It’s true that I rarely take photos of family celebrations and prefer to be “in the moment.” The photos you’ve shared are terrific–as always. I especially love your Sydney image.

  11. I love that your idea of celebration is the intimate gathering where you can actually hear each other — and that you often choose not to photograph those, keeping them in your heart instead. We feel that too; some of our best moments on the road never made it to a camera, and somehow they’re the most vivid. Congratulations on 30 years! That Paso Robles header, with wine and live music, is summer distilled.

  12. Love your photography – as always. I am, like you, for small parties where we can talk and discuss. We seldom sit more than 6 people at our table. That is a perfect number when you want to get the best out of a celebration.

  13. I agree with some moments being best experienced in the moment without a camera being involved! Some memories are indeed for the heart. Great photos btw! Love it.

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