photographer – Page 2 – 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.

“These Field Day photos capture the energy, laughter, and unforgettable moments of a family tradition filled with games like tug-of-war, sack races, and wheelbarrow races. From candid smiles to action-packed shots, these images showcase the beauty of authentic, unposed photography. Perfect for celebrating family, fun, and life’s best memories.

Young black girls having fun at the park playing tug of war with cousins.

Every year, my dear friend (let’s call her the queen of fun) throws an epic “Field Day”—and I mean epic. Imagine a mashup of your family reunion, summer camp, and the Olympics, but with more laughter and slightly less coordination. This isn’t just a casual picnic with sandwiches and polite conversation. Oh no. This is tug-of-war, three-legged, and wheelbarrow races where the participants might not have their balance, but they sure have their dignity… well, most of it.

When she asked me to photograph the event, I jumped at the chance. First, I’d do anything for her because she’s my friend. Second, because events like these are my jam. Something about capturing people in their element—sweaty, laughing, mid-fall, or mid-victory lap—makes the photos feel alive. It’s the magic of real moments, where no one’s saying, “Okay, now tilt your chin slightly to the left.”

Field Day is the perfect reminder that not every photo session has to be cookie-cutter or full of posed smiles and perfectly coordinated outfits (although, shoutout to anyone who managed to wear matching team shirts this year—you’re the real MVPs). The beauty is in the chaos, in the moments that make you snort-laugh when you see them later. Like that one uncle who gave it his all in the sack race and wiped out so spectacularly that his glasses flew off… but hey, he stuck the landing with a smile. Or the spur of the moment rap battle.

That’s the thing about life: it’s messy, funny, and sometimes downright ridiculous. And when you look back at the photos years from now, those are the moments you’ll treasure. Not the stiff poses, but the candid laughs, the sweat-soaked hugs, the competitive streaks that turned your calm cousin into a sprinting blur.

Photographing Field Day was a masterclass in why I love what I do. It’s not about creating a perfect moment—it’s about recognizing that the moments we’re already living are perfect in their imperfection. It’s the kid double-fisting popsicles, the aunt who came out of retirement to dominate musical chairs, and the look on everyone’s faces when they finally sat down to eat after hours of friendly but ferocious competition.

So, if you’re thinking about capturing your own family traditions, let me just say this: Don’t stress about the poses. Don’t worry about everyone looking “just right.” The best photos come from simply being yourselves. And if that involves a little dirt, sweat, and your team breaking into a victory chant… even better.

Life isn’t staged, so why should your photos be?

And to my friend: thank you for letting me document the joy, the hilarity, and the slightly chaotic brilliance of Field Day. I’m already sharpening my camera skills for next year—because I know it’ll be bigger, better, and possibly include water balloons. Just saying.

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