ST LUKES CHURCH

LIGHT AND HOPE FOR OLEKSANDRIYA, UKRAINE


16th June 2023



"Spreading Hope and Light through Music: Light and Hope for Oleksandriya Concert"

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to be part of the Light and Hope for Oleksandriya concert, which aimed to spread hope and light through beautiful music by the choir and the talented singer, Nicole Medin. The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for ambulances and medical supplies for the people of Oleksandriya, Ukraine.

A few days before the concert, Nicole and I went to St. Luke's church to do final preparations and rehearsals. Nicole practised her songs with the choirs, while Everton played the instruments. During this time, I took photos of the preparations and planned where I would position myself during the event. It was crucial to know the performance schedule to capture the best moments, especially when Nicole needed to change her costumes multiple times.

On the day of the concert, I arrived early at the back of the church and set up a small spot for my photography gear. I brought two cameras: a Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm lens and a Nikon D780 with a 70-200mm lens. I chose the wider lens for the D850 to have more flexibility while cropping and editing the images later. The D780 with the longer focal length was my main camera to capture close-up details of the concert from the opposite side.

Based on my experience from a previous concert I covered on February 24, 2023, I learned that I needed a longer focal length in a larger venue like Bath Abbey. However, for this concert in the smaller and shorter St. Luke's church, my chosen equipment would be perfect to capture those special moments.




As I wandered around the venue, I carefully observed the play of light, looking for the best spots to capture stunning photos during the concert. Meanwhile, Everton, the talented musician accompanying Nicole, settled at the piano with his acoustic instrument, tuning it meticulously and practicing his melodies. Nicole, on the other hand, got ready with her various costumes and had a quick rehearsal with all the performers to ensure everything was perfect.

As the moment of truth approached, we all waited in anticipation. The audience filled the seats, and there was an air of excitement in the room. Once everyone was settled, the magical and soul-touching performance began. The choir's harmonious voices blended beautifully with Nicole's captivating singing, accompanied by Everton's skillful melodies on the piano. The atmosphere was filled with emotion, hope, and light as the music resonated through the hearts of everyone present.

From my vantage point as the photographer, I was ready to capture the essence of the concert. I made sure to seize those precious moments when the music reached its crescendo, the emotions were raw, and the audience was completely engrossed in the performance. The play of light added a touch of enchantment to the photographs, making them truly special and evoking the feelings of hope and joy that permeated the event.

It was a privilege to witness such a heartwarming performance and be able to freeze those cherished moments through my camera lens. The power of music and art to bring people together and spread positivity was evident throughout the concert. As I clicked away, I knew these photographs would not only be cherished by those who attended but also serve as a reminder of the incredible impact the Light and Hope for Oleksandriya concert had on the community and the lives it touched.





The images above showcase the performers' powerful entrance to the beginning of the event.

The event kicks off with Nicole's mesmerising performance, leaving a profound impression on the audience. Through the photographs, we can witness the emotions on the faces of both the performers and the spectators. Nicole's dedication to her craft is evident as she gracefully transitions from one traditional Ukrainian costume to another, each holding a unique meaning relevant to her various performances.

During Nicole's costume change, the choir steps in and raises the audience's spirits with their enchanting voices. The images capture the joy and enthusiasm emanating from the choir members and the audience alike. It's a magical moment, filled with harmony.

Through my lens, I have attempted to convey the essence of this Ukrainian performance - the vibrant emotions, the traditional costumes' significance, and the joyous spirit brought forth by the choir.




Her performance was truly amazing, and her singing touched the hearts of everyone present. What caught my attention in these photos was the beautiful light illuminating Nicole from behind, giving her an angelic appearance.

One particular shot that stood out was when Nicole was looking directly at the camera, and I noticed the Ukrainian flag placed on the left chair. Including this flag in a wide landscape shot added depth and meaning to the concert, symbolising the essence of the performance.

As I moved to the side, I saw a perfect moment to capture Nicole singing while Everton played his acoustic guitar in the background. The combination of their musical talents created a harmonious scene that I couldn't resist capturing.




The first part of her show was captivating, but what truly amazed me was the moment when she changed into her last costume. This new outfit and performance had a distinctly British vibe, and I knew I had to be ready to capture it.

Anticipating her entrance, I positioned myself strategically behind the audience where she would emerge. As Nicole stepped out, I froze for a second to process everything that I was seeing while I was trying to figure out how to capture the photo. The lighting was just right, and I was able to preserve that magical moment.

Throughout the rest of her performance, Nicole continued to impress the audience. I made sure to capture her every move as she sang her last songs, and the finale was particularly special as she performed with a choir. The blend of her voice with the classical music added an extra layer of excitement and joy to the show.

In the end, I was thrilled with the shots I got, as they truly captured the essence of Nicole's talent and transformation on stage. It was a delightful experience as a photographer to be able to freeze these moments in time and share them with others. Nicole's and the choir's performance was a sight to behold, and I hope my images convey the magic and beauty of that unforgettable evening.



I had a great time at this event and loved taking pictures of all the special moments. It was challenging since I had to cover many different angles and performances by myself as the only photographer there. But I managed to get it all done, and everyone was happy with the photos. I even made some new connections during the day and took pictures for important people like the mayor of Bath. I want to thank the organizers and performers for putting on such a fantastic event and for helping raise money to aid Oleksandriya.
Musician- Everton Hartley
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