Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

15 -

Ellie stepped out of the hotel, the still-cool New York air brushing against her face. In front of her, a black taxi waited, the driver, a cap firmly perched on his head, patiently waiting for her. She couldn't help but smile. Luxury, she thought. Everything was so different from her usual routine back in Portland. She walked toward the taxi, her camera bag slung over her shoulder, and opened the door. She was pleasantly surprised to find Kate already sitting inside, a wide smile on her face.

Kate: "Hey, Ellie! Ready for tonight?"

Ellie got in the back of the taxi and shut the door behind her. "Always ready," she replied, settling in, a little nervous about what awaited her.

The taxi pulled out, merging into New York's heavy traffic. The atmosphere in the vehicle was relaxed, but both women could feel the excitement rising. The concert the night before had been incredible, and tonight promised to be even more amazing.

Ellie: "So, what's on your agenda tonight?"

Kate: "Oh, I've got a huge job tonight, I need to bombard Billie with photos during Happier Than Ever, especially when she pulls out her electric guitar. You know, it's a key moment of the concert, and the team wants to update her Instagram profile. Imagine, my photos on her account! Pretty wild, huh?"

Ellie felt a twinge of envy. Getting featured on Billie Eilish's Instagram, with her millions of followers, was a dream for any photographer. "Shit, totally," she said, grinning. "That's a bit of the holy grail."

Kate: "The fucking holy grail, yeah. And you? How are you feeling after last night?"

Ellie paused to think. The concert the night before had been a whirlwind of emotions and energy. Running back and forth across the stage, capturing intense moments, feeling the passion of the crowd... It was exhausting, but exhilarating. "Honestly, I feel like my cardio can't handle another night like that," she said, laughing. "But I'm ready. Last night was crazy, so I can't even imagine what tonight will be like."

Kate: "Yeah, Billie's insane. She gives it her all, every night. But don't worry, you'll get used to it real quick!"

The taxi smoothly carried them toward the concert venue, diving deeper into the urban jungle. The two women continued talking about the night ahead, sharing their nerves and expectations. The closer they got to the venue, the more palpable the excitement became.

Finally, the taxi stopped at the staff entrance. Ellie and Kate got out, adjusting their bags and gear before heading toward the entrance. The technical crew was already there, everyone getting ready for another memorable show. They joined the rest of the team for a quick briefing before the concert began.

"Alright, everyone," Daryl, the lead cameraman, said as he gathered the team around him. "Tonight, we're running the same setup, but make sure you capture the key moments. And most importantly, be creative."

Ellie and Kate exchanged a knowing look before nodding. The concert was about to begin, and the adrenaline was already surging.

The concert started with the same overflowing energy as the night before. The lights flooded the stage as Billie appeared, greeted by screams of excitement from the crowd. Ellie was already in action, her camera glued to her eye, capturing the first images of the night.

Just like the night before, she had to run from one end of the stage to the other, weaving between the other photographers, trying to capture the best moments. But tonight, something felt different. Maybe it was the confidence she had gained the night before, or maybe the unique magic of this second show. Billie seemed even more energized, bouncing all over the stage with endless energy, and the crowd was literally electrified.

Ellie focused, her camera following every movement of Billie. At one point, she noticed that the singer was approaching the spot where Ellie was positioned. Ellie crouched slightly to get a better angle, ready to capture the moment.

Then, out of nowhere, Billie stopped right in front of her. For what seemed like a suspended moment in time, Billie gave her a playful smile and struck a pose, her sparkling eyes fixed on the lens. Before she moved on, she gave a little wink, as if encouraging Ellie. Ellie's heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks flush.

She repeatedly hit the shutter, capturing that magical moment. Billie quickly moved away, continuing her run across the stage, but that wink left Ellie completely thrown off for a second.

Pulling herself together, Ellie resumed photographing, now with even more passion. It was as if that small gesture from Billie had given her a jolt, a direct boost of encouragement. She felt more determined than ever to give her best.

The concert continued with equally spectacular moments. Finneas joined his sister on stage for a few songs, and their chemistry was palpable. The show was incredibly intense, and Ellie kept running to capture every second.

Finally, after what felt like hours of constant effort, the concert ended in a burst of applause. The crowd was ecstatic, and the energy in the room was still intense. Ellie felt drained, but happy. Her heart was still racing, not just from the physical effort, but from the emotion as well.

She joined the rest of the team backstage, where everyone was unwinding. Kate was already there, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "That was insane!" she said, holding up her hand for a high-five.

Ellie returned her smile and slapped her hand. "Completely nuts, it's crazy how much energy Billie has."

They sat down together, a little to the side, as the other team members gathered around a table full of drinks and snacks. Jack came over to Ellie with a smile. "So, how do you feel after two nights in a row?"

Ellie burst out laughing. "I'm probably somewhere between life and death, but no regrets."

"Welcome to the life of a concert photographer," Jack replied, giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "But you did a great job. I took a look at some of your photos during the break, and I can already tell you're gonna do amazing things here."

Ellie blushed again, feeling a swell of pride. She already felt so integrated into the team. Everyone was nice, full of good advice, and most importantly, there was no pressure to be perfect, something she'd feared. The vibe was totally reflective of Billie.

After chatting with the team and sharing a few laughs, Ellie felt ready to head back to the hotel. As she gathered her things, her phone buzzed.

Billie: "Yo, how about a quick debrief tomorrow? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these first few days."

Ellie: "I'd love to talk about it with you."

She put her phone away, a sense of pride washing over her. Her first days in this adventure were more than she could've ever hoped for.