Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

13 -

The concert had just ended, and Ellie was still in shock from the experience she had just had. The energy in the room had been incredible. The fans had sung, cried, danced, and screamed until they lost their voices. Billie and Finneas had delivered an outstanding performance, their chemistry lighting up every song they shared on stage. Every glance exchanged between them showed the sibling love that shone through their music, and it had touched everyone, including Ellie.

She had spent the night capturing those magical moments, the illuminated faces of the fans, the passion on Billie's face, and the intense focus of Finneas behind his piano. It was a timeless moment, a dream for any music photographer.

Ellie, her heart still pounding, packed up her gear and followed the other photographers heading backstage. Everyone was still buzzing from the concert's adrenaline, animated conversations, and exchanged smiles.

She spotted Jack, the photographer she had met earlier. He was probably in his thirties and seemed just as passionate about his job as she was. They found themselves walking side by side, exchanging a few words about the night.

Jack: "So, how was your first concert? Pretty impressive, huh?"

Ellie: "It was completely insane. I've never seen that much energy, and the chemistry between Billie and Finneas is honestly magical to capture."

Jack: "Yeah, they've got that thing. I've shot a ton of concerts, but with them, it's always special."

They continued talking as they headed to the backstage area, where several members of the team were already relaxing around some snacks and drinks. Ellie felt more and more comfortable, surrounded by people just as passionate as she was. It felt like she had found a group that shared not only her love of photography but also her commitment to doing things right.

She then met Daryl, a cameraman in his fifties, with graying hair and a kind smile. He seemed to be a bit of the "wise" one of the team, the person everyone turned to for advice.

Daryl: "So, first night with us? Did you survive?" he joked.

Ellie: "Yeah, still standing. It was fucking intense, but I can't wait to see more."

Daryl: "Don't worry, it'll get better. And here, no pressure. Billie's super chill, and so is the team. We do our job seriously, but we never take ourselves too seriously, you know?"

Ellie immediately felt reassured. Daryl gave her some practical tips about the job, how to deal with the unexpected, prepare as best as she could, and most importantly, enjoy every moment. She also met Kate, a young woman her age, an audiovisual intern who had been working with the team for a while.

Kate: "If you have any questions, don't hesitate. I'm still training too, but everyone here is super cool, including me, of course. I bet you'll feel right at home in two days."

Ellie smiled again, grateful for the warm welcome she was receiving. In such a short time, she already felt so integrated, like she was part of a big family. They spent the rest of the evening chatting over a drink, sharing anecdotes and laughter.

But fatigue was starting to catch up with her. After exchanging a few last jokes, she got up to head back to the hotel and rest before the second concert scheduled for the next day. She waved goodbye to her new friends and left the backstage with a light heart.

When she arrived in her room, she put her camera bag on the desk and sat on the bed for a moment, looking at the lights of New York shining through the window. Everything still felt surreal. She really felt like she was living in a waking dream.

As she was getting ready to take a shower and relax, her phone vibrated. Intrigued, she glanced at the screen and saw that she had received a message... from Billie.

Billie: "So, how did it go for you tonight? You must've met my awesome photo team?"

Ellie was a bit surprised. Billie was taking the time to send her a message to make sure everything was okay. It touched her deeply. She hesitated for a moment before replying, trying to find the right words.

Ellie: "It was amazing... you and Finneas are mesmerizing on stage. The team made me feel so welcome, thanks again! Now I just need a 12-hour nap and I'll be ready for tomorrow."

She sent the message and lay back on the bed, a smile on her face. Everything seemed to be falling into place, like each piece of the puzzle of her life was finally coming together. A few seconds later, her phone vibrated again.

Billie: "So happy it went well and that you loved our duo! That makes me feel good. Get some sleep and be ready for round two, this is just the beginning."

Ellie smiled, putting her phone on the nightstand. She felt more at peace than ever. The stress of the past weeks, the doubts, the questions... all of it seemed to be slowly fading away. Tomorrow would be another day, another concert, but for now, she just felt... at home.

Tired but happy, Ellie finally fell asleep, ready to face the second day of this extraordinary adventure.