STILLNESS.

This is one of my personal favourites, and probably one of the shots I’m most proud of.

It was taken on day 43 of a 100-day whitewater expedition through Fiordland. We’d just come out of Wet Jacket Arm early in the morning, still cold and half-wet, when the sun finally crested into the valley. The first thing it touched was this tiny island—just a small cluster of native bush clinging on in the middle of the Fiord.

As Ethan paddled past, everything lined up for a brief moment—the light, the reflection, the stillness of the water. I remember hesitating for a split second, wondering if it was the right composition, knowing I’d only get one chance before the light shifted and he moved on.

I took the shot, and then it was gone.