“Under the gaze of hundred eyes and a cacophony of shutter clicks, Killian reached out and took the phone from Saso. No words passed between them as he swiped back and forth before slipping the phone into his pocket with a casual nod. He reached out for Evas hand as the first note hushed the hungry crowd to silence. For a time their bare feet dancing in the dusty street, was all that could be heard. Each sweeping step sending a terracotta plume of dust up into the evening air. Gentle movements full of trust and passion. The world stilled by their love. Eva losing herself to Killian forgetting the chaos around her. With their embrace a 100 mechanical boxes sparked back to life. Clicking, chattering, snapping up precious moments.”
The story that wandered around my head as we shot alongside the incredible Ben Sasso & The Kitcheners, at the Wolves Workshop last year. It was our second year attending the Wolves Workshop on the magical island of La Graciosa. We always believe that continuous learning and development of ourselves (and for our business) are the keys to life. On this visit I (Kate) found myself absorbing more of the world around me. Daydreaming. Narrating it it all in my head like chapters to a greater story.
To relax Killian and Eva, Ben gave Killian his phone and asked him to play their favourite music. We do this quite with our own couples, so I lowered my camera anticipating the reaction of Killian and Eva. When we are shooting at home, we follow the reactions and movements through the lens. For once it was nice to lower the camera and be part of the moments in front of me. When I did so a strange thing happened. Time slowed down to the point I thought it had stopped. Each sense highlighted. My soul taking over from the camera capturing a million details.
Three scenes each encapsulated in their own bubble played out in front of me. Killian and Eva so at ease lost to their own thoughts, ignoring the crowd beside them. The depth of love and protection in Killian’s brown eyes as he danced with her. The way the setting sun highlighted the golden strands in Eva’s hair. The brushing sound of their souls against the earthen street. The way the golden blue light got stuck in Eva’s dress, braking fee as tiny orbs, as the lace whirled around her. Islanders pass by stunned by the scene before them. Trying their best not to be seen, muffling secrets from behind their hands to each other as they go by. Spellbound, by the cameras, unable to stake their eyes off the strange invaders operating them. My focus turns to my colleagues almost all dressed in shades of black and grey. Some, like me enjoying the lovers dance. Others ferociously living life through the lens, finger to the trigger capturing each movement before them. Then those old friends catching up sharing new ideas and techniques, a mutual nod of understanding floats between us. My heart sores as I watch over the newest amongst us wowed by Bens & The Kitcheners teachings. Remembering my own early days of photography, the frustrations and highs of this passion.
Out of the corner of my eye I see it happening. Time swirls so fast I think I might fall over. The clattering of the crowd into action, the moment every one had been waiting for. Eva and Killian kiss.
As we walk to the next location I feel a hand on a my shoulder. It belongs to a dear friend. With a chuckle I tell him I am okay and I am.
I am so grateful that photography is our job as well as our passion. I am so overwhelmed that so many people allow Sean and myself into their lives to capture them. For this wolves trip I am thankful. Without meaning to it highlighted something that I have always have done. Observing world with my own eyes, imagination and narration. Not always as others see it. Not through the lens.
Be unique, be free and daydream. It’s when the magic happens x
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