For many people across Europe - and increasingly around the world - the Eurovision Song Contest is much more than a television show. It is the world's largest live music competition, bringing together artists representing countries from across Europe (and beyond - Canada for the first time will compete in 2027!!!) in a week-long celebration of music, creativity, culture, and spectacular live performances. Behind the scenes, it is also one of the most demanding live productions in the world, bringing together thousands of professionals in broadcasting, production, media, and photography.
For the past two years, I've found myself drawn more and more toward event and live performance photography. What started with a musician inviting me to photograph her concerts gradually opened the door to many new opportunities. Since then, I've photographed college graduations, productions of ballet performances like The Nutcracker and The Maleficent, weddings, concerts, a growing number of live performances and events. Each experience has taught me something new about working under pressure, anticipating moments, and telling stories through images.
Somewhere along the way, I realized something: I genuinely love photographing live events. They are fast-paced, technically demanding, creatively unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding. Every performance is different, and every frame exists for only a fraction of a second. That's exactly what excites me.
With that realization came a new goal.
I have set myself the personal and professional objective of becoming a photographer at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, which will be hosted in my native Bulgaria after the country's victory this year. As a Bulgaro-Canadian photographer, this opportunity is deeply meaningful - not only as a career milestone, but also as a chance to combine my passion for live music photography stepping on my cultural roots.
Getting there won't happen by chance. Over the coming months, I'll be intentionally building the experience, portfolio, and professional relationships needed to make this goal a reality. That means continuing to photograph concerts and live performances, expanding my network within the Bulgarian music industry, connecting with Bulgarian and Canadian broadcasters, with artists, media organizations, and exploring every possible path toward working at Eurovision - whether through a national delegation, media accreditation, or direct collaboration with an artist.
This summer, I spent a month in Bulgaria, using the opportunity not only to reconnect with family and friends but also to begin laying the groundwork for this project through research, networking, and new collaborations! I am so thankful for all the support I have received so far! Thank you!
This page will serve as a journal of that journey. I'll share milestones, challenges, successes, lessons learned, and the occasional setback along the way. Whether the destination is Eurovision 2027 or somewhere unexpected, I want this project to be an honest record of what it takes to pursue an ambitious creative goal.
Most importantly, this is a promise - to myself and to everyone following along - that I'll update this page regularly as the project evolves. I don't know exactly where this journey will lead, but I'm excited to find out, one event, one photograph, and one step at a time.
Follow my journey!
© Lora Milusheva. Jam session at the A to Jazz Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria.
© Lora Milusheva. Miles Electric Band (USA) performing at the A to Jazz Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria.
THE EUROVISION PERFORMENCE THAT INSPIRED ME
If you haven't seen the winner of Eurovision 2026, please watch it! It is a piece of art, a smart contemporary performance that builds on history and symbolism, it visualizes the song in the best possible way. This song is about anxiety, it is about fighting with internal demons, it is referencing the old tradition of Kukeri, finding the inner self and fighting the evil spirits. As a result - you get free and able to do what you are meant to - and DARA succeeded in achieving it in the best possible way.
WINNER OF EUROVISION 2026 - BULGARIA
Song: Bangaranga
Artist: DARA
Enjoy!
Video Credit: embedded video courtesy of the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel. Eurovision Song Contest is a trademark of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).