A Photowalk Through Austin with Beers and Cameras

Exploring Austin with a Camera

Exploring a city like Austin with a camera is always exciting—the creative energy, the ever-changing light, and the endless photo opportunities. But doing it alongside a group of passionate photographers makes it even better.

On March 22nd, I joined Beers and Cameras for a photo walk through the city, where we strolled along the scenic riverside path, captured unique moments, and had great conversations along the way.

Beyond the photography itself, the best part of the event was the people. It didn’t matter if someone was shooting with a vintage film camera, the latest mirrorless setup, a giant studio camera that definitely wasn’t built for a photo walk, or even a 3D-printed 6x24 panoramic camera—everyone was there for the same reason: to create and connect.

Whether it was a spontaneous portrait session, a random stranger stopping to ask about our gear, or an unexpected shot that turned out better than expected, these moments made the walk more than just an opportunity to shoot. It became an experience—a way to meet fellow photographers, share ideas, and find inspiration in the company of others who love this craft just as much as I do.

The Gear I Brought

What kind of gear would I bring to such an event? I wanted something compact, reliable, and fun to shoot with, so I brought my Nikon F3/T—a classic 35mm film camera that’s built like a tank but light enough to carry all day.

Since I’m currently challenging myself to shoot only black and white film for six months (more on that in a future post), I packed a few rolls of Ilford HP5. To enhance contrast and deepen the tones in my shots, I threw a yellow filter on the lens—one of my go-to filters for black and white photography, especially for darkening skies, making clouds pop, and giving a bit of an apocalyptic look.

Lens choice was easy because I didn’t have much of a choice—I used my Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 Distagon, the only lens I have for this system right now. Luckily, its wide field of view was perfect for capturing the streets of Austin and the moments unfolding around me.

Of course, one of the best parts of an event like this is seeing what everyone else is shooting with. It felt like no two people had the same setup. A few cameras that caught my eye included another Nikon F3/T, which made me feel like I wasn’t completely alone in my choice; a pristine Leica M4-2, a camera that’s been on my radar for a while; and the absolute beast that was the Fuji GX680 II—a studio camera so massive it looked hilariously out of place on a photo walk. Let’s just say that his back was tired by the end of the walk.

Meet & Greet at St. Elmo Brewing Company

Before the walk even began, about 50 of us met up at St. Elmo Brewing Company, where photographers of all backgrounds gathered to talk shop, share stories, and, of course, admire each other’s setups.

The energy was laid-back and welcoming—walking in, it felt less like a room full of strangers and more like a reunion of friends who just hadn’t met yet.

It was here that I met Trev Lee, a talented photographer and the head of media for The Darkroom photo lab. Our conversation ranged from Nikon cameras and lenses to strategies for promoting photography on social media—something I’ve been working on myself.

Trev shared some great insights about finding my own style and not just shooting what everyone else is doing. This helps you stand out and grow an audience that likes YOUR work. He also gave some advice on the importance of quality followers over quantity.

“When we look at social media, quality followers are more important than quantity followers. Having a few followers that interact with your work is so much better than a large number because that builds community, and that’s how you get more opportunities.”

Hearing his perspective gave me a lot to think about for my own work.

Later in the day, I also had the chance to talk with Jason Kummerfeldt and Caleb Knueven, two photographers whose work has been a big inspiration to me.

We talked about their latest projects, the creative challenges they’re pushing themselves through, and building a stronger photography community in Tulsa—something I’ve been thinking about a lot.

Their advice? Start small, be consistent, and create spaces for photographers to connect—whether through meetups, online discussions, or collaborative projects. Every thriving community starts with just a few passionate people willing to put in the effort.

The Photo Walk

After wrapping up at St. Elmo Brewing Company, we headed over to the Palmer Event Center to kick off the official photo walk. What started as a meetup of about 50 people quickly grew into something much bigger—by the time we started walking, there were over 200 photographers in the group. Seeing that many people, all with cameras in hand and their own unique perspectives, was incredible.

As we walked along the riverfront, it was amazing to see just how many different ways people approached the same environment. Some photographers focused on portraits, capturing candid moments of strangers and fellow photographers. Others turned their attention to the lake, photographing the kayakers across the water with the city skyline behind them. And then, of course, there were those who took a more behind-the-scenes approach, capturing shots of the group taking pictures. I like to call this picception (or picture-inception). Watching the different creative styles at play was just as fun as taking photos myself.

Golden Hour on the Bridge

We wrapped up the walk on a bridge crossing over Lady Bird Lake, where a few of us stuck around to soak in the evening air, enjoy the view, and chat.

The energy of the larger group had settled, and it was a great chance to have more laid-back conversations. This is where I got to talk the most with Jason Kummerfeldt and Caleb Knueven, discussing photography, creative challenges, and just sharing stories.

The mix of city skyline, water, and golden-hour light made for the perfect backdrop to end the day—not just as a photo walk, but as a reminder of how photography brings people together.

The Importance of Community in Photography

That’s the biggest takeaway from this event—the importance of community in photography.

Surrounding yourself with other photographers not only helps you grow creatively by exposing you to different styles and perspectives, but it also creates a support system—people who understand the struggles, celebrate the wins, and push you to keep shooting.

The best part of this meetup wasn’t the photos I took; it was the people I met and the conversations I had. The pictures were just a bonus.

This event reminded me just how valuable it is to have a creative community. If another Beers and Cameras event comes up, I’ll be there. But more importantly, I want to make sure I’m building that same sense of connection in Tulsa.

If you don’t already have that, I encourage you to start looking—it makes all the difference.

Check Out My Print Shop

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in my work, you can check out my print shop.

Until next time—happy shooting!