Event Photography at The Kirkwood's Light up a Life Campaign, Huddersfield

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of photographing The Kirkwood's Light up a Life campaign here in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. As an event photographer who regularly covers both weddings and corporate events across Yorkshire, this charity event presented a unique and deeply meaningful challenge.

What is The Kirkwood's Light up a Life Campaign?

The Kirkwood's Light up a Life is a beautiful annual tribute that invites families to light a candle in memory of their loved ones. Set within The Kirkwood's stunning gardens in Huddersfield, the event creates a powerful moment where hundreds of memories shine brightly together. For anyone unfamiliar with The Kirkwood, they provide incredible hospice care across Kirklees, supporting patients and families during the most challenging times.

The Challenge of Photographing a Memorial Event

This was the second evening of the campaign, and honestly, the weather gods weren't playing fair. Torrential rain, stormy conditions, and darkness – not exactly ideal for event photography in Huddersfield! But here's the thing: challenging conditions are where professional event photography really earns its keep.

The trickier aspect wasn't the weather, though. This event is a tribute to loved ones, which meant I needed to be incredibly respectful, quiet, and essentially ninja-like. Documentary-style photography works perfectly for these moments – capturing genuine emotion without intrusion.

Documenting Every Element of the Evening

My brief was comprehensive: photograph the brass band, capture the choir's performance, document the illuminated gardens, cover the ceremony itself, and make sure I got the tree of life in all its glory.

I'll be honest – I pushed my camera to levels I wouldn't normally. High ISO, wide apertures, the works. But when you're covering charity events like this, it's about adapting to the conditions you're given and still delivering images that do justice to such an important occasion.

The Tree of Life Illumination

The highlight came at the end when the tree of life was illuminated. That moment brought the entire garden to life, transforming the space into something truly special. It's moments like these that remind me why I love event photography – capturing those fleeting seconds that mean so much to so many people.

Event Photography for Charities Across West Yorkshire

I'm already looking forward to the next Kirkwood event I get to be involved with. If you're organising a charity event, corporate function, or any special occasion in Huddersfield, Kirklees, or across West Yorkshire, professional event photography ensures these important moments are preserved beautifully, whatever the weather throws at us.

Make sure you check out the wonderful work that The Kirkwood does – they're a vital part of our local community.