At the end of the month, I’m heading off to Hamburg for the 2016 European toy photo safari. The moment I saw it announced, I knew I had to go. To be able to share toy photography with other like-minded people is an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
This is a little out of character for me. I mean, I don’t normally like to leave the comfort of my own home, let alone get on plane to another country by myself. I did try to persuade my partner to come with me, but he has enough trouble standing around whilst I pose LEGO figures for five minutes, let alone spending the whole weekend doing it.
So that was out, and I was left to make the decision to go by myself or not at all.
So I booked it. Non-refundable. I’m going.
And that is a good thing right? It’s good to get out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you. So that’s what I am doing, and the closer it gets, the more excited I am to go.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still nervous. Reasons for nerves? Silly things like:
- what if I’m not good enough to be there?
- what if I’m not into camera’s enough?
- what if I’m too weird? Too shy? Too talkative? Not weird enough? (All at the same time? It happens.)
I’m pretty sure that none of these things will matter. At the end of the day, we’re all going to be there because we enjoy toy photography and want to meet all other toy photographers for real and get to know one another.
I’m hoping that it will be a great opportunity to share and learn something about how we each take on toy photography. I’m hoping to get more awareness around different styles and types of photography. I’m hoping that it will encourage me to delve deeper into toy photography than I currently do.
And, importantly, as Stefan said in the introductory post to the toy safari, we’ll be there to have a great time. In my case, I’ll also be there to eat as many German pretzels as I can get my hands on. (I have a serious pretzel problem. I may eat them for every meal going whilst in Hamburg.)
Of course, now I’m excited and ready to go, I just have to answer that tricky question all toy photographers face: what toys should I take with me?
Lizzi/@stepping_on_bricks
I’ve been waiting for this for a year, and still I share many of your fears. In particular: “what if I’m too weird? Too shy? Too talkative? Not weird enough?” I ask myself these questions every days. There is no objective reasons to believe anything will go wrong but still I doubt myself. In the end I’m pretty sure our only regret will be that a week-end is not long enough.
I’ve found that thinking about which toys to bring is a good way to focus on something while waiting for the big day 😉
I hope you have a wonderful time! Your photos are amazing so don’t worry about being “good” enough. I can’t wait to see the photos you take while you’re there 🙂
I agree with the thinking: am I to shy, am I good enough? I was in Vaxholm last year and it boosted my courage to take more photos. This year I’ll try to interact more.
What minifigs to bring? That is still a work in progress.
But anyway it will be fun 🙂
Nice post, Lizzi, thanks for sharing your thoughts and fears. As a “seasoned” toy safari participant, let me just say that it absolutely doesn’t matter how “good” you think your photography skills are. It’s not about that at all. It’s about meeting other toy photographers of all levels and styles, sharing ideas/toys, and just enjoying being in the company of other “weirdos”, i.e., toy photographers! Let’s face it, we’re all a bit “weird” to have taken this on as a hobby and be willing to travel to other countries for it, right? hahaha 🙂
I wish you and all the rest to have a wonderful meet up in Hamburg. You’ll be in good company! Can’t wait to see everyone’s images!
ps. Pretzels are the best!
Lizzi,
I asked myself all those questions before attending the Stockholm trip. And the truth is none of it matters.
You’ll be great, you will love it, and I know that your hosts will take great care of everyone.
Enjoy!
Ian