“It's never about the photos but rather the experience we had getting them.”

© Nicole Louw - Taken on the UPC Photo Walk London 8th February 2025

I recently had the opportunity to join the Urban Photographers Club on their first photo walk of the year on 8th February 2025.

As a new import to London having the opportunity to walk the streets, and photograph the vibrancy of this city is such a privilege, especially coming from South Africa, where walking around with your camera would normally come with a certain amount of risk, but that is a discussion for another time.

At the beginning of the year, I made it my goal to walk the streets at least once a week to see what I could capture, but this is always something I have done myself, a way for me to drown out the noise of the world, is to surround myself by the world, irony at its finest…

However, the opportunity to walk with some other like-minded individuals seemed like a great yet daunting idea. As someone who struggles with social anxiety at the best of times, and just the usual amount of imposter syndrome, I knew this meet-up would take me out of my comfort zone… something that in my experience, has always yielded the best results for me… guess I’m a glutton for punishment.

Armed with my trusty Nikon f3 paired with a 24mm and a few rolls of tri x (I thought I’d splash out for the event) as well as my old girl Sony a7r paired with a newly acquired Samyang 35mm 2.8. I set off into the rain to catch the train to Charing Cross and the meeting point.

Firing off a couple of shots in the train over is how I tend to start my shoot days, as there is nowhere for me to escape it helps me get over those initial street photography nerves… you know if I don’t get punched taking pics on the subway, then I’ll probably be ok in the street kind of vibes.

Now for anyone who was there, when reading that I suffer with social anxiety, might call BS, as when riddled with anxiety I tend to become the loudest person in the room, again don’t ask me why. I just live in this body, however, a large portion of my anxiety in large crowds is due to the fact that I am transgender, (scary I know) and so I am always highly aware of what others are thinking about me and whether or not I will be accepted and safe in the group. 

I only bring this point up to highlight the fact that the group in its entirety was so welcoming and so accepting that any fear and anxiety I had dissipated almost as quickly as I shot through my first roll of film.

Once the meet and greets were done, instantly forgetting 90% of everyone’s names, but knowing by the time the day was done, I was certain I'd get a grasp on them, we set off heading in… a direction ( I’m new to London I don’t know where I’m going) spending most of the time chatting to people about gear, photo styles, and photographers who were far more talented than myself,  while occasionally sprinting across traffic to snap a photo of someone in a funny hat.

I’m sure my new friends were very amused by my eagerness.

After a few hours of happy chats and technical insights with the odd photo being taken between both of my cameras, we all retired to the pub (the real reason for the outing).

With a beer ordered, we all settled in the warmth of the café, to share our experience of the day, and for those shooting digital, the opportunity to share some raw images brought smiles to faces around the room. I know I personally revelled in the opportunity to be in close proximity to multiple Leica’s without being separated by a pane of glass and accompanied by a security guard looming over my shoulder…

Overall it was a beautiful day spent in good company doing something that brings me so much joy.

Aside from a gross technical error on my part with my Nikon, I did manage to get one or two good photos….

But let's be honest… it's never about the photos but rather the experience we had getting them…

A Wonderful Reflection on Our First Photo Walk of the Year by Nicole Louw

“It's never about the photos but rather the experience we had getting them.”

Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicole_louw_photography.

Urban Photographers Club

A Wonderful Reflection on Our First Photo Walk of the Year by Nicole Louw

“It's never about the photos but rather the experience we had getting them.”

Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicole_louw_photography.

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Urban Photographers Club