There’s something special about photographing a music festival. The noise, the colour, the unexpected moments and the chance to capture the atmosphere of it all.
This weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of being one of the official photographers at GuilFest 2025, and what a weekend it was.
This was my second time photographing GuilFest. The first was back in 2022, when the festival returned after a long break and took place at a new venue, the Hurtwood Polo Club in Ewhurst. That year had its own charm, with rolling hills and an excited crowd ready to welcome the festival back.
But this year, it felt like GuilFest had truly come home. The event was back at Stoke Park in Guildford, its original location, and the energy over the two days was electric.
From big-name headliners to emerging local talent, GuilFest 2025 had it all. The park was filled with stages, food stalls, families, groups of friends and the unmistakable buzz of live music. It was packed, but never overwhelming. Just the right mix of festival spirit and friendly community feel.
As a photographer, getting access to ‘the pit’ – the space just in front of the stage – is a real privilege. It allows us to get those close-up shots of artists performing, often during their first three songs.
Over the weekend, I must have been in and out of that pit dozens of times, capturing everything from intimate solo performances to full band sets.
My camera, a Nikon Z6ii, handled the non-stop action brilliantly, paired with my trusty Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens. I also experimented with a new variable star filter, which really brought the stage lighting to life in some of the evening shots.
There were so many highlights over the two days that it’s difficult to pick just a few.
On Saturday night, The Jacksons brought serious energy, stage presence, and a flood of nostalgia. Sunday had its own standout moments too, especially KT Tunstall, who had the crowd in the palm of her hand, and Razorlight, who closed the night.
One of the most fun and unexpected sets came from Elvana, a surreal and brilliant Elvis/Nirvana crossover act. You’d think it wouldn’t work, but somehow it absolutely did. Their stage presence was wild, and the crowd loved every minute of it.
Stereo MCs also delivered a fantastic set, keeping the tempo high and the crowd moving.
But the real surprise of the weekend was The Dutty Moonshine Big Band. They had everything – sharp suits, brass instruments, electronic beats, and loads of charisma.
Despite the rain, they powered through with one of the most engaging sets of the weekend. Best of all, they were incredibly welcoming to us photographers. They let us stay in the pit beyond the usual three-song rule, so we had the rare chance to document their entire performance from up close. That kind of access is a dream for a photographer, and I made the most of it.
Over the course of the weekend, I took over 8,000 photos. I’ve since narrowed that down to about 1,600 final images to edit and share.
It’s always hard to choose favourites, but I’ve included a small selection below to give a sense of the variety, the mood, and the moments that made this weekend so memorable. You can view the full gallery at bearcontent.pixieset.com/guilfest2025
One of the best parts of the job is meeting people. I had great conversations with festival-goers, fellow photographers, volunteers and artists. Everyone was in good spirits, even when the rain came down.
There’s a shared understanding at festivals that we’re all here for the same reason – to enjoy the music, the atmosphere and each other’s company.
A huge thank you to the GuilFest team and their PR crew for the guest pass, backstage access and time in the VIP area, which made everything so much easier.
And thank you to all of the performers who smiled for the camera and the crowd who let me capture their weekend moments. It really is a team effort to bring these kinds of photos to life.
I’m already looking forward to next year.
If you’re organising an event and need a photographer who can capture not just the performances but the feeling and energy of the day, I’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch to chat about your next event or to book me for your live music or festival photography.
