Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 was anything but quiet, madrid was already stirring with life by the time luna stepped out into the cobbled streets, sunlight spilling through narrow alleys and glinting off warm-toned buildings.
she'd arranged to meet federico at his shop just past nine, tucked away on a quieter side of the barrio de las letras, an unassuming corner storefront with golden-lettered signage that read "federico cámara y arte desde 1985."
as she pushed open the wooden door, a bell chimed overhead, and the smell of coffee mixed with old books and polished metal greeted her.
"¡ah, la señorita luna!" federico called from behind the counter, his weathered face lighting up with recognition as he adjusted his spectacles. "punctual como siempre."
"buenos días, don federico," she smiled, stepping in and removing her scarf. "i wouldn't miss this visit for the world."
he led her toward a glass display where, laid out like treasure, were some of the newest photography gadgets, sleek lenses, stabilizers, compact lighting rigs. "as promised," he said proudly, "some of the best glass on the market. mira este, just released from germany. lightweight. sharp as a razor."
luna's eyes widened with genuine interest. "¡dios mío! this is beautiful. federico, you weren't joking when you said you had surprises."
"for an artist like you? i always save the best."
they talked lenses and shutter speeds for nearly an hour, luna testing each one with practiced ease. she let her camera hang from her neck as she walked the length of the shop, snapping test photos of the stained-glass windows and old film posters federico kept on display.
once her hands were finally free of gear, she leaned against the counter, cradling a cup of cortado he'd brewed for her.
"i've got a couple days here before flying back," she said. "i was wondering ... if you were me, where would you go to shoot? i mean the kind of places only locals really know."
federico raised a brow, clearly delighted by the question. "ah, ahora hablamos. you want places with soul."
"exactly," she grinned.
he tapped his chin in thought. "go early to templo de debod, the light at sunrise? preciosa. then head up to lavapiés for street scenes, colourful, noisy, alive. and if you want peace, parque el capricho. not many tourists go. it's a gem."
luna scribbled the names in her notes app, nodding. "and people?"
"you'll find them everywhere," he chuckled. "but if you want faces that tell stories, mercado de san fernando. or the old flamenco bar on calle del olmo. go in the evening. order wine. they'll forget you're there."
"sounds perfect," she said, her voice softening as she imagined it, an old bar, guitar strings humming, the click of her shutter between breaths.
federico studied her a moment, then said, "you've always had good eyes, but now? there's something different. softer. more curious."
