Photography

“What a truly drag…” – Was my first thought during a volunteer project, when I was entrusted with the responsibility as the photographer of that event.

Beginning of the story

In the middle of this last summer, I joined a volunteer group called “MayFlower” due to my teacher’s recommendation. At that time, I signed up partly because of curiosity and partly because the loneliness of those summer days as there was no friend to talk to.

But then the thing that I didn’t expect was that the group consisted entirely of high school students, so there wasn’t a single middle school student like me! However, I still completed all of my task (I was “belonged” to the media team), because I don’t really want my feelings to affect the common affairs.

Then, it was once upon a time, when I received an message from my team leader said that “We are going to have an event at the orphanage.”. Fortunately, the logistic committee of our group at least provided me the camera, so I did not have to use my own.

That Story

On the planned date, I woke up very early just to prepare for the event and familiarize myself with that camera as well. At that time, I hitched my teacher’s ride (since we leave in the same apartment complex) to the assembly point, and only then got on the bus to travel to the “final destination”.

Throughout the trip, thanks to befriending some veteran members, I was fortunate enough not to feel out of place when the group arrived at the orphanage. However, although I felt quite awkward at first, the nature of my photography work, in generally speaking, made me avoided almost all the interaction with the children.

After the warm-up, everyone began group activities like drawing and playing games such as “Cat and Mouse.” (I can’t remember the name of that game…). To be honest, I really wanted to join in, but I was busy handling the photography job, so I didn’t have much time to play!

That is also my biggest regret, because I didn’t have many chances to play with the kids there. That also made me feel somewhat disappointed and bored. It was just when I thought I’d have to wait another two hours until the end of the job, a child suddenly came over and started talking to me. As I remember, she was really adorable, polite and delicate. At first, she asked my name. I think because I was the new member of the group, so she might haven’t heard about my name yet. After that, that little one told me all sorts of stories, about how everyone had visited last year, and how she had been waiting for us earlier that morning,… After that, I talked with this young girl while continuing to take photos of everyone (to post on the group’s Facebook for promotional purposes!).

My personal conclusion

At the end, I said goodbye to the little girl. Thanks to her, I felt the journey home was truly meaningful: it was as if I had stepped back into my own childhood, capturing scenes from everyone else’s early years,… Although I haven’t really gained my photography knowledge, but I have learned to cherish those memories, and to treasure the camera that holds them. Some other veteran members even teased me: “Wasn’t today fun? Don’t have to worry because it’ll be your turn to be the lead in few years later.”

However, I found myself wondering, “If this time, a child hadn’t struck up a conversation with me, would I have had the chance to interact with anyone?”. I think it can be possible, but very difficult. That is why, when I become a leader in the future, I want to prepare activities that include everyone, leaving absolutely no one out of place!