I recently had the opportunity to take on a project that was quite different from my usual photography sessions when J&B Timbers in eSwatini commissioned me to photograph their forestry machinery. The images were destined to become large canvas prints for display throughout their offices, making this an exciting challenge that pushed me outside my comfort zone.

At first, the assignment felt a little daunting. Photographing heavy machinery requires a very different approach from photographing people, and I wanted to create images that were not only technically strong but also visually striking. Once I got started, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

On the first day of the shoot, I was accompanied by one of J&B Timbers' foresters, who acted as a valuable liaison with the machine operators. Most of the photographs were captured while the operators carried on with their normal work, helping to showcase the machinery in its natural environment. At times, we asked them to pause briefly or reposition a machine slightly to achieve the strongest composition and make the most of the available light.

After editing the first day's images, I asked my husband to review them before sending them to the client. As a forester himself, he offered valuable insight and constructive feedback from an industry perspective. He later accompanied me on another shoot, helping to identify angles, locations, and compositions that would best highlight the machinery and its role within the forestry operation. His knowledge proved invaluable and contributed greatly to the final collection of images.

One of my favorite aspects of this project was seeing how the changing light transformed each scene. The soft light of early morning and the warm glow of late afternoon each brought a unique atmosphere to the photographs, adding depth and character to the powerful machines and the landscapes they worked in.

Looking back, this project was a wonderful example of collaboration. From the machine operators and forestry staff to my husband's expert guidance, everyone played a part in achieving the final result. Receiving such positive feedback from the client was the perfect finishing touch and made the experience all the more rewarding.

Below are a few of my favorite images from this memorable project for J&B Timbers.