Moments in motion, between chaos and light
This project was equal parts thrilling and stressful. When you’re called to photograph an airport, including security measures and the landing strip, it sounds exciting, but the reality only hits when you’re there. It’s an airport! One of the busiest, most secure places on the island, running 24/7 with no pause, no moment to catch your breath, constantly in motion.
We had just two days to cover the entire airport. Interiors were the main focus for the client, but they also wanted those impressive images — a plane taking off on the runway, the fire brigade with their new equipment, all while life at the airport carried on. The thing is, none of this can be scheduled or rehearsed. A plane doesn’t wait for the photographer, and firefighters aren’t about to stage a drill for the sake of a picture. Everything is either happening in real time or at a state of full readiness. You just have to be there, alert, and catch it when it happens.
As I kept reminding myself (half as a joke, half as survival mode):
“Go with the flow.”
Thankfully, I had one of my best friends and long-time assistants, Elias, by my side. His presence not only kept me going but gave me an extra set of eyes to follow the chaos around me. Goes without saying that the airport team, the police, and everyone involved were also a major part of the project’s success. Together, we were able to find moments of magic amid the movement and light.
It was truly an unforgettable experience, one I would love to take on again. It was one of those projects where the phrase sink or swim feels quite literal.
