Behind the Lens at the 2025 ESPNW Summit — Ojai, CA
Documentary Editorial Event Photography on the Fuji X100 Vi
Last May, I had the privilege of documenting the 2025 ESPNW Summit at the Ojai Valley Inn in California — an inspiring weekend of women’s sports leadership, storytelling, and community energy. What made this event special wasn’t just the speakers or sessions — it was the real, unscripted moments of connection, emotion, and candid humanity that unfolded throughout the summit.
These images were shot entirely on the Fuji X100 V, a compact camera that lets me stay present in the moment while capturing decisive storytelling frames. Every shot reflects my commitment to editorial documentary event photography— a style grounded in authenticity, atmosphere, and narrative depth.
What Makes This Work Different?
When I shoot an event like the ESPNW Summit, my goal isn’t to pose subjects — it’s to capture them living their stories. This approach blends the instincts of documentary photography with the refined framing, light, and composition you might expect from editorial portraits — a style inspired by photographers like Greg Williams, who thrives on intimate, candid imagery that feels like the viewer is right there in the room.
Rather than staging or directing every moment, I move with the flow of the event — listening, observing, and anticipating moments that reveal character, emotion, and context. These are the images that resonate long after an event ends.
The Magic of Documentary + Editorial Storytelling
Documentary event photography is about narrative and truth. It’s story over pose, connection over perfection. You’ll see:
Unguarded smiles between sessions
Thoughtful expressions during talks
Hands raised in passionate conversation
Moments of impact that reveal the heart of the event
Pair that with editorial sensibilities — clean composition, intentional use of light and shadow, and crisp, cinematic framing — and you get a body of work that feels both real and refined.
This hybrid style, sometimes called editorial documentary event photography, is increasingly sought after by brands, editorial outlets, and organizations that want visual storytelling that feels lived-in, human, and beautiful.
Why the Fuji X100VI Works for This Style
The Fuji X100VI is more than a camera — it’s a storytelling tool. Its compact form lets me stay unobtrusive, while the powerful optics and color science deliver rich files ready for editorial use. With it, I can:
Seamlessly shift between wide environmental frames and close, intimate portraits
Capture ambient light beautifully without distracting flashes
Keep energy and momentum in the shoot without disrupting the moment
