art – Milli Stephania Photo

stratford main street festival, block party where vendors come together to build community and network with patreons and locals. Photograph of a dad waiting in line for a food truck with his daughter on his shoulders.

What do you get when you close down an entire street, sprinkle in talented artisans, mouthwatering food, and a dash of small-town charm? The Stratford Main Street Festival—a photographer’s dream and my perfect excuse to sneak out of “mom mode” and dive back into street photography.

Life with kids is a constant juggle of diapers, snacks, and sheer chaos, so lugging my camera around for fun isn’t always in the cards. But this time, I made no excuses. The hubs took over diaper duty while I captured the vibrancy of Stratford’s annual “block party.” The energy of Main Street was magnetic—laughter, live music, and the aroma of food trucks lined the air as families and friends celebrated together.

One of the things I love about candid photography is the rawness of the moments I get to freeze. Whether it’s kids with popsicle-sticky faces, vendors passionately talking about their craft, or friends reuniting with hugs, these unscripted moments are pure magic.

After the festival, I shared a gallery with the town’s Facebook group, and the response? Heartwarming. A Greek restaurant vendor, Rita’s Pitas, thanked me for a photo of them hard at work, something they hadn’t had time to do themselves. The joy of giving people a tangible memory to cherish? That’s why I do what I do.

stratford main street festival, block party where vendors come together to build community and network with patreons and locals. Photo of magician laughing while entertain a teen and dad in the festival

Being behind the lens doesn’t just let me capture stories—it helps me connect with people. During the festival, I met so many passionate small business owners, like Nikkya, at Obodo Serendipity Bookstore in Paradise Green. She’s doing incredible things for the neighborhood, from hosting book readings to planning community events like their recent Mother’s Day celebration. It reminded me why I love being a photographer and a community cheerleader.

As a Connecticut and New York-based photographer, capturing life’s special moments is my bread and butter. But events like these—filled with the essence of togetherness—are a beautiful reminder that photography isn’t just about images. It’s about memories, connection, and celebrating the magic of right now.

There’s a unique energy that comes with photographing a recent college graduate. It’s a mixture of excitement, pride, and a bit of uncertainty about the future. When Niscary contacted me for her graduation portraits, I knew this session would be special. She wanted to capture this significant milestone in her life with photos that reflected her journey and accomplishments.

There’s no better place to commemorate the event than choosing the university campus as our location. It was the perfect backdrop, rich with history and memories.

Niscary had planned an outfit change from her cap and gown which honored her roots, the motherland, the Dominican Republic. As a proud Latina, this accomplishment was one for the books, making her family proud.

One of the most rewarding aspects of photographing graduates is capturing their raw, genuine emotions. Niscary’s joy and pride were apparent. Photographing Niscary’s portraits was a privilege. it’s an honor to capture such a significant moment in someone’s life. Through my lens, I aim to reflect not just her achievements, but her spirit holds so much meaning to her. These portraits portray the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Every graduate has a unique story, and being able to tell that story through photography is what I aim to accomplish, time and time again.