HALF HOUR CALL is an ongoing project that I’ve been shooting for almost my entire photographic career. The work focuses on the moments backstage, in the half hour before a performance begins.

One of the greatest privileges of being a photographer is access, and this project exists purely because of it. I’m trusted to be present in spaces that are rarely seen, and often shared only with the performer themselves. In those final moments before they step on stage, you can cut the atmosphere with a knife - and it’s my absolute favourite.

These images are made for posterity, holding onto a precise point in time before it disappears forever. As the performance draws closer, the performer’s focus sharpens, and almost without exception, they forget I’m there. What remains is singular attention, preparation, and commitment at the highest level.

This project distils much of what I love about photography: trust, proximity, access, exclusivity - and the opportunity to observe and document people at these incredible moments of intense concentration. I keep returning to this work because it still matters to me, and sums up almost my entire portfolio: a glimpse behind the scenes.