I had one of those weekends where I thought I had everything figured out. Three events, three days, and a bunch of cameras. What could possibly go wrong?
The plan was to hit Filipino Fest on Friday, Aki Matsuri on Saturday, and wrap things up at the Snow Mountain Pow Wow on Sunday. I was looking forward to getting out, making photographs, and having a proper photography side quest.
Friday at Filipino Fest didn’t quite go the way I hoped. Sometimes you show up to an event expecting to come home with a handful of great images, but the moments just don’t come together. I walked away without the photographs I had envisioned. It happens. Not every outing is going to be a home run, even when you have the camera ready.
Saturday was a different story. Aki Matsuri gave me a chance to slow down, look around, and photograph a colorful shrine parade. There were interesting faces, movement, and little moments happening all around me. It’s the kind of environment that reminds me why I enjoy bringing a camera to places like these. You never quite know what you’ll find.
Afterward, I made an unplanned stop at B&C Camera for their Octoberfest event. I got to chat with a few camera manufacturer representatives, which was a nice bonus. It’s always interesting to talk to the people behind the gear we spend so much time researching, buying, and occasionally convincing ourselves we absolutely need.
I had my Leica Q3, OM SYSTEM OM-3, and Kodak Snapic A1 along for the ride. Because apparently, going out with just one camera would make too much sense.
Then Sunday rolled around, and the weather decided it had other plans. The rain forced the Snow Mountain Pow Wow to be cancelled, putting an end to my three-event weekend before it really got going.
So much for the original itinerary.
But that’s the thing about these photography side quests. I can plan the route, pack my gear, and tell myself exactly what I’m going to accomplish. Once I step outside, none of that is guaranteed. Sometimes I come home with photographs I’m proud of. Sometimes I don’t. And sometimes the whole plan falls apart because of the weather.
I’m learning to be okay with that. Photography isn’t always about coming home with a masterpiece. Sometimes it’s just about showing up, paying attention, and enjoying the experience—even when the results aren’t what you expected.
This weekend didn’t go according to plan, but I still got out there, explored a couple of festivals, talked cameras, and spent time doing something I love.
I’ll take that as a win.
