INFOLABUANBAJO.ID — Amid the gentle breeze of Melo hills in Liang Ndara Village, Mbeliling District, West Manggarai, an inspiring initiative took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Dr. Stevi Harman, a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) representing East Nusa Tenggara, organized a Photography and Videography Workshop titled *“Outdoor Couple Session / Pre-Wedding Session,”* blending the beauty of nature with the spirit of empowering youth and women.
In a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere, dozens of participants—mostly students, members of the general public, and several journalists in Labuan Bajo—filled the main training room. They came not only to learn camera techniques but also to seize an opportunity—to explore the creative world as a pathway to a brighter future.
The workshop featured professionals Calvin and Levana as the main facilitators. This husband-and-wife duo, long active in Bali’s photography and videography scene, didn’t just teach how to capture images—they also shared their life and work philosophy with the participants.
*“Liking cameras or photos alone isn’t enough,”* Calvin told the attendees. *“We must learn, become skilled, and eventually be sought after and paid for our passion. That’s the Japanese philosophy called IKIGAI—a combination of what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for.”*
Through hands-on fieldwork, participants explored various picturesque spots in the Melo area. They learned how to capture pre-wedding moments from different angles and lighting conditions, guided directly by experts. Beyond just shooting techniques, they also gained a deeper understanding of visual storytelling, a key selling point in today’s creative industry.
Behind this technical training lay a strong social mission. In her speech, Dr. Stevi Harman emphasized that this event was part of the government’s program to empower women and protect children.
She highlighted a growing concern among parents: children and teenagers returning from school with no positive activities, freely accessing unfiltered content on their parents’ unsecured smartphones.
*“Our children sit alone, open their parents’ phones without child protection, and freely access any content. This is where the problem begins,”* Dr. Stevi stated firmly. *“Through activities like this, they have a space to gather, discuss, and develop positive skills.”*
The workshop was just the beginning. Dr. Stevi also mentioned follow-up plans, such as salon training, currently in the trial phase—all aimed at creating a safe, productive, and meaningful space for the younger generation.
The choice of Labuan Bajo and its surrounding areas as the event location was no coincidence. According to Dr. Stevi, this region has immense tourism potential, which naturally requires support from creative industries like photography and videography.
*“Many of our tour guides are active on social media. If they have additional skills as photographers or videographers, tourists will be even more satisfied,”* she said.
In her view, such training can serve as a gateway for local players to enhance their services, making Labuan Bajo not only rich in natural beauty but also outstanding in creativity.
One participant, a student in Labuan Bajo, expressed her joy at being part of the workshop. *“I’m so happy to join. Besides learning something new, I now realize photography can also be a business opportunity,”* she said briefly yet meaningfully.
This workshop marked an important milestone, showing how collaboration between government policy, professional creativity, and social concern can go hand in hand. From the green slopes of Melo, a new spirit is emerging—building a young generation that is not only creative but also productive and protected. ***
Penulis : Tim Info Labuan Bajo
Editor : Redaksi
