Through the Lens: The EJA Photography Story
Welcome to the EJA Photography blog — a space where I share the journey behind the camera. From experiences at events and across city streets to creative projects and everyday moments, this is where photography meets personal perspective.
Here, I explore the stories, lessons, and inspiration that shape my work, offering a closer look at life through my lens and the moments that continue to fuel my passion for photography.
My journey into light
Photography didn’t begin with professional equipment or big opportunities — it started around four years ago with nothing more than a Samsung phone and a curiosity to capture the world as I saw it. I found myself taking photos everywhere I went, experimenting with angles, light, and moments that simply felt worth remembering.
Getting my first Canon starter camera was a dream come true. It marked the moment photography became more than just a hobby. The encouragement from family and friends played a huge part in that journey — their constant support and belief that I had a natural eye for photography gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward and developing my skills.
As I shared more of my work, opportunities began to appear sooner than I expected. Messages started coming in asking me to photograph weddings and important events. While it was incredibly motivating, I made the decision to decline many of those early requests. I understood how meaningful those occasions are, and I wanted to ensure I had the experience, confidence, and ability to do justice to someone’s special day before stepping into that responsibility.
Since then, my journey has continued to grow alongside my equipment, experience, and creative vision. From upgrading my camera setup to photographing events, city life, travel, and everyday moments, each step has shaped what EJA Photography represents today — a passion for capturing genuine moments and preserving the stories behind them.
Photography, for me, is still a journey of learning, exploration, and seeing the world differently — one frame at a time.
Connecting Through the Frame
Photography has given me the opportunity to meet people I may never have crossed paths with otherwise — each with their own story, energy, and lasting impact. One of my most memorable experiences was working with Nola, owner of Tiny Tea Rooms along the Rodley Canal, where I photographed her child’s birthday celebration. It remains one of my favourite bookings, capturing genuine joy and seeing the excitement and light in the eyes of children experiencing moments they’ll remember for years to come.
In contrast, photographing alongside the social media teams at the Leeds Marathon introduced me to a completely different environment — structured, fast-paced, and focused on capturing large-scale moments as they unfolded. Both experiences were unique in their own way, yet equally influential in shaping how I approach photography and the people behind it.
Moments like Leeds Chinese New Year 2025 further reminded me how powerful connection within photography can be. Conversations with experienced photographers — individuals who had travelled the world, worked within the industry for years, and even photographed members of the Royal Family — offered inspiration far beyond the images themselves.
From business owners and event teams to families, creatives, and fellow photographers, every encounter adds another layer to my journey. It’s the people, their stories, and the connections formed along the way that continue to inspire me and truly capture my heart behind the lens.
Learning Beyond the Lens
My journey into photography hasn’t followed a traditional path. I don’t hold a degree or formal certification in photography — everything I know has been self-taught, shaped through experience, experimentation, and lessons gathered from photographers I’ve met along the way. Every conversation, shared tip, and moment of guidance has quietly influenced how I see and capture the world today.
I still remember editing a photograph for the first time and believing the AI auto-edit button was the holy grail — convinced it must be the correct way every image was supposed to look. Over time, I realised photography isn’t about automatic perfection, but creative decision-making. Editing became a space to experiment, adjusting colours, working with layers, and refining details to create images that feel authentic rather than manufactured.
As my confidence grew, so did my equipment and understanding of it. Upgrading lenses — including investing in larger, more specialised glass (and much more expensive ones too) — completely changed my perspective. I began to appreciate how differently a moment can be captured depending on whether you zoom in from a distance or step closer and photograph it up close. Both approaches can work beautifully; the real art lies in knowing when each one serves the story best.
One question I’m often asked is how I know when to pick up my camera, or how I choose the right moment to press the shutter. The honest answer is instinct. There isn’t always a formula behind it — just a feeling developed through time, observation, and practice. The saying that the more photos you take, the better your photographs become has proven completely true in my own journey. Every frame teaches something new, shaping the instinct that guides me today.
Photography continues to be a process of learning, adapting, and growing — built not through qualifications, but through curiosity, experience, and a passion for capturing moments as they naturally unfold.