Everything Has Changed. (Upcoming Theatre Photographer :After The Fringe Festival)

In short what I gained from a fringe festival.

New clients actually wanting me to work FOR them PAID!!

Previous clients wanting me to work WITH them AGAIN.

Other Fringe Festivals wanting me to work FOR them PAID

Knowing I can create CINEMATIC images without even moving from my seat!

Storytelling should always be at the basis of my art. I see the moments that pass others by. I dont just take photos. I stop time.

Now worked with 3 on screen professionals.

Long version of what I gained as a photographer by working a fringe festival

Originally I said no to the Fringe Festival, citing my work deserves a fee no matter how small, then by some random coincidence I was still on the list despite telling them to remove me. From there the months of planning began, which shows would I go to?, what genre, what do i want my work to convey?

I walked away after 2.5 days of work under my belt, with 8 credits, if I kept going the way I normally went that would of took me AT LEAST 8-10 MONTHS to gain anywhere near that amount. Im shocked I managed to stick to my editing and uploading goals despite no wifi. My turnaround time is VERY fast normally anyway so I made sure after every shoot transfer images to laptop, upload to lightroom, edit, then into canva before the night was over upload to instagram on my phone.

I also managed to photograph 2 on screen professionals, I tried my best to learn & soak up as much knowledge as possible from them.

I learned new things about my camera ie flickering how to fix it, have the shutter click loud, that festivals dont have behind the scenes its a curtain and venues tend to be one in, one out. it was a crash course in instinct, speed and storytelling. I walked away with a strong portfolio, sharper timing and a bit of confidence?

My life didnt change overnight obviously, the very next day I was back at retail but that was the first time I thought that I had a chance to turn this into a career.

One thing that keeps happening over & over again is

People keep telling me they like my work. Im still at the stage where Im like “really?! Awesome!”

Im producing high standards of images every time. Im more sure of the settings, taking less shots in high burst modes as I trust myself more & the camera.

I know all of this wasnt luck, it was hours per week trawling the internet for theatre productions no matter how big or small, finding contact details, writing emails, researching the shows, creating mood boards, pose ideas, brainstorming, doing practice test shoots at 1am in my living room, working for free in the beginning to build the credits. Im now working AGAIN with a lovely group of people in the autumn which is really exciting they are the 2nd group Ive got another booking from so I must be doing something right LOL. Feels like month by month or so I step up the ladder a bit more, Im Kayden Lucas & this is what I can do.

My dream is just to tell stories via theatre & unit stills photography by providing dynamic, timeless & cinematic stills.….