The heart of the matter
I recently had the opportunity to cover a 3-day conference focused on atrial fibrillation (Afib), featuring some of the world’s top doctors in the field.
What made this experience unique for me was the shift in focus. Normally, I photograph professional speakers who are deeply skilled at captivating an audience to build their brands, improve business strategies, or refine leadership skills.
But here, these experts weren’t just speaking to grow a business—they are in the business of literally saving lives.
One minute, I was watching footage of beating hearts being zapped back into rhythm, and the next, I was learning about how Afib can lead to strokes if untreated.
The gravity of their work hit me hard.
This wasn’t about improving sales conversations or building better business practices; it was about improving people's quality of life and saving them from life-threatening conditions.
Capturing these doctors, who are so deeply entrenched in their day-to-day life-saving work, felt different.
It wasn’t just about creating a polished image or showcasing a thought leader in their best light.
It was about documenting their passion, expertise, commitment, and the real impact they have on people’s quality of lives.
It reminded me that while the contexts may differ, the core of what I do—visual storytelling—remains the same.
Whether photographing a speaker on a stage or a doctor discussing breakthrough treatments, the goal is to capture the essence of their message and the value they bring to the world.
And in this case, it was a humbling reminder of just how profound that value can be.