What You Seek Is Seeking You

WHAT YOU SEEK IS SEEKING YOU

 This moment of connection captured between a pair of mating lions was nothing short of pure magic for me. Years ago, I stumbled upon an image that Mario Testino took of the then coupled Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie, where they were nose to nose, eye to eye. The photo took my breath away because of the sheer electricity and soul connection that was captured in their gaze. I remember thinking this was proof that such a connection existed between people. That in a world where true connection eludes more than it endures, I saw this as a reminder that what lives in our hearts is as real as we will allow it to become.

Years after that while skiing in Whistler, Canada, my two dear friends asked me to take their photo outside the ski lodge. These friends are true soulmates and found each other after a long search for the love they had always been seeking. Without any prompting as I was shooting them, they suddenly turned to one another and leaned in, nose to nose, eye to eye, mirroring the Testino shot. I could barely believe it and told them afterwards of the significance of that moment. Another sign, I determined.

Then last year while sitting with a pair of mating lions in the early morning hours of the South African summer heat, in a particular stillness that only exists when my face is pressed against the viewfinder of my camera, steadying my lens on top of the safari jeep, where I find myself breathing in sync with the animals, and if you blink at the wrong moment you stand to miss the shot of your life, the lioness turned to the male that was snuggled up against her and they touched noses and gazed eye to eye. The moment lasted for barely an instant, and then was gone, but I remember in that moment thinking somehow that was for me…that it was the definition of magic, which is what Africa feels like at all times, like entering another dimension where time and space and perhaps even the laws of averages and physics take a temporary reprieve.

Minutes after this photo was taken, they moved from the sun and the lioness came and laid down right next to the jeep as we were in the shade. As she was about 3 feet from me, I moved my camera quickly and it accidentally “banged” onto the side of the metal door next to me. The noise and big lens startled her, and she did that cat “pounce” move where their whole body jerks into action before they leap onto something. I didn’t think, I believe I “yelped” and leapt into the other seat. Thankfully she backed down and we were able to drive off safely, but that may have been the most terrifying and yet most exhilarating moment of my life.

Suffice it to say, after the thousands upon thousands of photos I’ve taken in my lifetime, this is my favorite one of all. It was over ten years in the making and epitomizes what I believe about love, magic, creation and the divine. Not to mention, almost being pounced on by a mating lioness is one hell of a way to start your morning…

Edition of 50

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