Normally such tattoos seem pretentious, but for her, it was truly a life philosophy.
The preparations for our photoshoot in Fuerteventura were running smoothly. Surfboard rented, styling ready, later I would pick her up from the airport — that was the plan. While shopping at Lidl, my phone vibrates. Rarely a good sign. On the other end is a distraught Julene: Her flight from Amsterdam was canceled.
In sun-drenched Fuerteventura, I sit at my desk and see the bad news: 128 canceled flights in Amsterdam due to fog. The alternatives are vanishing like ice cubes in the midday sun. Brussels? Fully booked. London? Impossible timing. Paris? No chance.
But then comes Julene's suggestion: Frankfurt, the next morning.
I'm amazed by her determination and arrange overnight accommodation. What I hadn't anticipated: The German railway is on strike.
At 9 PM, Julene sends me her location. Cologne. A mere 3,019 kilometers as the crow flies from me. But she navigates through the chaos of German announcements and reaches Frankfurt shortly after midnight.
Thanks to Giacchi, she has a bed for the night. Early in the morning, she's punctually at the gate. The boarding is only delayed minimally — or so we think.
Then ground staff is missing, a suitcase needs to be unloaded. Three hours of delay.
The sun won't wait. At 6 PM it gets dark, and I want to photograph her with the surfboard on the beach. So I prepare a survival kit: Red Bull, coffee, fruits, tortilla, nuts, energy bar and chips. Everything she needs.
We meet for the first time. No time for small talk. After a quick shower and an hour's drive, we stand on the crowded beach. Normally I look for a quiet spot, but time is pressing. While photographing, I constantly have to dodge passersby.
