Sometimes I get to take on big, wild creative projects, the kind that sound amazing in theory and then evolve into something totally unexpected.

This assignment involved capturing audience reactions at a Ringling circus performance rather than focusing on the performers themselves. The creative direction was looking for that fine line between a genuine emotional reaction and a staged scene — the spark of real wonder within a carefully planned moment.

The shoot spanned three days with professional talent in an inherently unpredictable circus environment. The resulting imagery was created to support the launch of Ringling’s 2026 production.

Sometimes the chaos is part of the magic.