Every photographer knows that some of the most meaningful moments to capture are also the most chaotic. Recently, I had the chance to photograph something a little different — a day at the fair with my niece and a friend’s two boys. It was equal parts fun, frenetic, and full of learning curves.
The Challenge of Fair Photography
Fairs are tricky environments for photography. They’re not exactly designed with lighting or composition in mind. The spaces are tight, the crowds are unpredictable, and the lighting ranges from harsh overhead fluorescents to dim corners that seem to swallow light whole.
Trying to capture authentic, well-composed shots of my niece and the boys as they moved through the fair felt like chasing butterflies in a windstorm. One minute they were lit by golden afternoon sun, the next they were under a tent with shadows hiding every expression. But therein lies the beauty — these are real moments. The messy, crowded, laughter-filled chaos is the backdrop of childhood memories.
This year was a big one for one of boys and my niece.
David was taking a market steer for the first time, which added a new level of excitement — and nerves — to the fair. Watching him step into the show ring with animals many times their weight was incredible. It takes a surprising amount of confidence and calm to handle a steer under pressure, especially when it's your first time. Photographing him in those moments — standing tall, focused, and determined — was a real highlight.
And then there was my niece, who learned one of the toughest lessons in showmanship: sometimes things don’t go as planned. During her rabbit showmanship class, her rabbit bit her hard — hard enough that she burst into tears mid-show. But she didn’t give up. She pulled herself together, kept showing through the pain and the fear, and finished strong.
To everyone’s surprise — and hers most of all — she placed 3rd in Junior Showmanship. Bitten, tear-streaked, and beaming with pride. That moment? An absolute honor to capture with my camera.
Market Animals: A New Perspective
What made this experience especially unique was the chance to photograph the boys with their market animals. Both had raised animals to show and sell, and they needed thank-you images for their buyers. I’d never photographed livestock in this way before, and it opened up a whole new world of visual storytelling for me.
At first, I wasn’t sure what exactly these photos needed to convey — was it the bond between kid and animal? The quality of the animal? The pride of accomplishment? Turns out, it was all of those things, and more.
We played around with poses, backgrounds, and timing — trying to find the right mix of showing off the animal’s best features while capturing the boys’ hard work and personalities. It wasn’t just about getting a “nice” photo — it was about documenting a journey. These kids had raised their animals from start to finish, and these thank-you cards weren’t just polite gestures — they were the last chapter of a big story.
Finding the Frame
As a photographer, I’m used to chasing light and lining up the perfect shot, but this day was a reminder that sometimes it’s less about perfection and more about presence. The boys stood tall beside their animals, a little sunburned and very proud. My niece’s eyes sparkled, tear streaked face, and happy smiles as she showed her animals made the day. The shots I ended up loving most weren’t the posed ones, but the moments in between — wide grins, gentle touches between kid and animal.
Takeaways
Photographing this fair taught me a lot — about patience, adaptability, and storytelling. I walked in thinking I’d try to make the images look “professional,” but I left realizing what really matters is that they feel personal.
Whether it's poorly lit barns, busy backgrounds, or subjects who won't stay still for more than a second, fair photography will probably never be easy. But it’s real. And sometimes, real is better than perfect.
Until next time, I’ll keep chasing the light — wherever it decides to show up.
