Photographing Henderson Rush at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Photographing Henderson Rush at Toronto Pearson International Airport
This week, I had a fun opportunity to work with HMS Host by Avolta to photograph their new Henderson Rush facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
When the opportunity arose to photograph at an international airport, I was thrilled to take on such a unique commission. Airports are dynamic, bustling environments, and capturing them effectively comes with a fair share of challenges. As a photographer, I thrive on problem-solving and adapting to the tools and circumstances at hand, and this project was no exception.
Navigating Permit Limitations
One of the biggest constraints for this shoot was working with a very limited arsenal of tools due to permit restrictions. Flash and tethering were off the table, which required me to be resourceful and lean on natural light. Unfortunately, I also didn’t have the luxury of choosing the optimal time for lighting. For a shoot like this, I would have preferred to schedule it around sunset to take advantage of softer exterior light and achieve a balanced exposure between the bright outdoor and indoor areas. Instead, I had to work at 9:00 a.m. to minimize crowds.
Adapting to Lighting Challenges
The 9:00 a.m. timing presented a significant lighting challenge. Harsh morning sunlight meant contending with blown highlights, lens flare, and unbalanced exposures. Without the option to use flash to fill shadows, I relied on meticulous retouching in post-production to bring harmony to the final images. The editing process became essential to achieving a polished result that highlighted the architecture and atmosphere without distraction.
Managing Crowds in a Busy Space
Airports are high-traffic spaces, and I didn’t have the option to block off areas for the shoot. This meant carefully timing my shots and employing advanced retouching techniques to remove patrons, employees, and luggage where necessary. Patience and precision were key to creating clean, uncluttered compositions that still captured the energy of the location.
A Rewarding Experience
Overall, I am very happy with the final result, — (Cue Borat voice) great success! — and so was my client. This project pushed me to be creative and adaptable in an exciting new environment. It was a fun and rewarding experience, and I look forward to tackling more projects in airports or similarly dynamic spaces in the future.
This shoot reminded me why I love photography: it’s not just about capturing a scene—it’s about finding creative solutions to make the best images possible, no matter the circumstances.
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Client HMS Host by Avolta + Henderson Brewing
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Gear: Leica SL2, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art, Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art, Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II
