September marked the return to a busier professional schedule after the slower, more relaxed summer months. While I dove back into work, I made sure to carve out time for myself as well.
One of the highlights of the month was taking multiple photo walks around Antwerp and Brussels. As I walked through the cities, I felt a noticeable improvement in my photography and techniques. This progress was incredibly motivating, and I’m excited to continue building on it.
An unexpected yet amusing experience occurred when, on two separate occasions, I was approached by people asking if I could take their photo. It was a first for me! While I happily took the shots and shared them afterward, I’m not particularly fond of the results, so I won’t be sharing those here.
On the podcast front, I continued working on the Slices of Time: Street Photography podcast. New episodes will be released in the coming month, and I can’t wait for you to hear the discussions I’ve been recording.
Looking ahead, I’ve also booked a trip to Nice, France, for November. If you have any recommendations for things to see or do there, feel free to share them with me!
Despite a busy work schedule, I managed to spend quality time with friends as well. We visited local markets, enjoyed a tour of the Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie brewery, attended a Rueben Solo comedy show, and indulged in some delicious meals, including pizza at Neo and japchae at Hey Joo, both in Ghent.
Work-wise, September was eventful and enjoyable. I had the opportunity to photograph the opening of a new building for Electro Rent, with Bart Somers, the Mayor of Mechelen, in attendance. I also attended an event at a plant and gardening wholesale company and spent two evenings at an open house event for Massimmo.
One of the more meaningful projects this month was photographing the first-ever Neurodiversity at Work Congress in Belgium. It was a fascinating and thought-provoking event. I also spent two more evenings shooting at an award ceremony for Exact, a company that provides accounting software.
In between all of these events, I found time to update the portrait and event sections of my website portfolio, making sure my work reflects the growth I’ve experienced over the year.
First-Time Experiences in September 2024
- Being asked to take photos of strangers on the street
- Visiting Neo in Ghent for the first time
- Dining at Hey Joo in Ghent and trying japchae for the first time
Books I Finished This Month
- Think Like a Street Photographer by Matt Stuart
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
- How I Make Photographs by Joel Meyerowitz
What I Watched
- The Simpsons
- Rings of Power
September was a month of professional development, fun personal moments, and expanding my horizons both in photography and life. Looking forward to what’s next!
