The 2025 Sheffield Biodiversity and Regenerative Food Festival was its inaugural event and a huge success!

A Food Festival that “[brings] together and [celebrates] the growers, producers and organisations that contribute to a regenerative local food system and a wilder, more biodiverse region.”

When I arrived at the Regenerative Food Market in Sheffield, the atmosphere was already buzzing. The event brought together around 40 local food producers, artisans, and growers, all celebrating sustainable and community-driven food systems. It was one of those rare, sunny November afternoons where every corner of the market was full of conversations between stallholders and visitors and displays vibrantly showcasing the locally produced food and organisations doing important work around Sheffield.

As an event photographer in Sheffield, I love shoots like this: relaxed, authentic, and full of life. My goal was simple: to capture the energy and connection that made this market special.

The brief from the organisers was straightforward:

“We’re looking for some photos to be taken during the middle of the day… It’s a market-style event with around 40 stalls. Capturing the overall event and the crowds with some close-ups of individual stalls would be good.”

They wanted a balance of wide, atmospheric shots showing the event’s scale and intimate detail shots that showcased the craftsmanship and care behind each product.

The Regenerative Food Market wasn’t just about what was on the tables. It was about the people behind them: bakers, growers, and makers, all passionate about what they do. My job was to translate that energy and purpose into imagery.

The event took place during the middle of the day, and we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny November day. This meant beautiful, sunlight filtering through the market, perfect for a bright, lively atmosphere. I focused on:

• Wide shots to capture the layout of the market and the buzz of the crowd.

• Mid-range images of groups interacting and exploring stalls.

• Close-ups highlighting products, hands at work, and the artistry behind the produce.

I always aim to stay unobtrusive, allowing genuine moments to unfold. Whether it’s a vendor explaining their craft or visitors sampling something new, those interactions tell the story far better than any staged shot could.

When I delivered the gallery, the feedback from the organisers was short and sweet, and that’s often the best kind:

“Brilliant thanks Elle. The photos look great!”

It’s always rewarding to see clients happy with how their event is represented, especially when it’s a community-focused initiative like this one. The photos captured both the energy of the day and the people who made it happen — a celebration of local food and collaboration in Sheffield.

It’s also lovely seeing them on the event website on full display!

Sheffield has such a vibrant local event scene. From charity galas and conferences to markets like this that celebrate creativity and community. As a photographer, every event offers something unique to capture.

For the Regenerative Food Market, it wasn’t about big stage moments or formal setups, it was about people connecting over shared values and great food.

Events like this remind me that great event photography isn’t just about taking pictures…it’s about preserving the feeling of being there: the atmosphere, the people, and the sense of purpose that brings it all together.

If you’re organising a market, festival, or community event in Sheffield, I’d love to help capture it. My approach is professional, calm, and people-focused. Perfect for documenting authentic, natural moments that tell your event’s story.

Get in touch to discuss your next Sheffield event.