Week 9 humans in the environment: Amanda Cooke

 In this photo shoot, I was asked to photograph my friend’s colleague’s anniversary party, celebrating her 20 years of work at the organization. I initially assumed it would be a typical work event — formal, brief, and somewhat distant — but I quickly realized it was much more personal. There was a strong sense of community in the room, and the celebration felt less about her professional accomplishments and more about the connections she had built over the years.  

What stood out to me most was how easy it was to connect with everyone there. At most events I photograph, there’s usually a clear separation between myself and the guests, but this time felt different. People were open, curious, and eager to talk with me, which made it easier to capture moments that felt genuine. It was clear that the relationships in the room extended far beyond the workplace, and I found myself appreciating the chance to witness that.  

One challenge I ran into during the shoot was the low lighting, which made it difficult to get clear, high-quality images. Many of the photos ended up grainier than I would have liked, and I was initially disappointed about that. However, when I shared the images, they were still really happy with them — and ultimately, that’s what mattered. It was a good reminder that capturing the feeling of a moment is sometimes more important than technical perfection.  

Overall, I’m glad I was there to document it. It’s not often you get to see a work environment where people genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and it felt meaningful to be a part of preserving that.







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