Photographing OVO by Cirque du Soleil at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 25 April 2024 was a whirlwind of motion, color, and precision. The show’s insect-inspired costumes and intricate acrobatics created a visual feast, while the dense, multi-level staging meant there was never a dull moment on stage.

From behind the lens, the challenge—and the thrill—was keeping pace with the performers. Fast lighting changes, soaring lifts, and constant ensemble movement demanded timing, anticipation, and an eye for symmetry. I aimed to capture both the sweeping full-stage compositions and the intimate details—the tension in a performer’s expression, the shimmer of a costume under the spotlight, the height of a leap frozen in perfect balance.

The energy of OVO is electrifying: technically precise yet full of joy and spectacle. As a photographer, it was about more than documenting the show—it was about translating that kinetic energy into a series of images that convey motion, artistry, and the extraordinary coordination behind every breathtaking moment.