The Camino De Santiago - A Photographer’s Perspective
Santiago de Compestela, Spain - September 26, 2024
In September 2024, I had the opportunity to hike the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. I had no interest in taking a vacation but I had an interest in adventure. Adventure has been called to me, ignited by blockbuster films from my childhood. This was a spiritual journey that I also wanted to take as it was a big opportunity to photograph from Lisbon to Santiago in 23 days and 670km. All photos were shot on the Sony A7 III with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 Lens.
Special thank you to Tamron and Osprey Bags for showcasing these photos on social media.
The Camino de Santiago is also known as the Way of St. James. There are many routes you can start in Europe but the main trail is in Spain. I decided to start in Portugal as a opportunity to see Portugal again but also just document my journey,
THE THREE STAGES.
The Camino was divided into three distinct stages: Physical (Lisbon to Porto), Mental (Porto to Tui), and Spiritual (Tui to Santiago). Pilgrims endured 30-degree temperatures and the physical challenges of elevation changes, which led to injuries. I, for instance, walked for days with a swollen ankle. One of the advantages of starting in Lisbon was the solitude; not many people began their pilgrimage from there, as most joined from Porto.
Porto on September 16th, 2024
When we reached Porto, a severe forest fire had erupted outside the city, causing distress among pilgrims who struggled to find hostels. It became a mentally taxing experience, especially because we had grown accustomed to seeing familiar faces from Lisbon. Alot of us coming from Porto we were already tired but we kept going. The smoke around Porto and the increasing amount of people walking the Camino was also an opportunity to capture more photos.
When we arrived in Tui, the weather shifted to rain, bringing a spiritual connection. This stage offered a unique bond with fellow pilgrims, including those who, while not Catholic, deeply admired the faith. The weather shifted to rain, bringing a spiritual connection. For the majority of the walk, I just had The Gladiator soundtrack playing. The Spiritual stage offered a unique bond with fellow pilgrims, including those who, while not Catholic, deeply admired the faith.
The Camino de Santiago was a test of endurance. Still, it became a journey of deep reflection, as well as a chance to honour how far I’d come in life as a photographer and a spiritual being. What made the experience truly special were the incredible people I met along the way. We walked side-by-side, day after day. We shared coffee breaks after the 8km mark around 9 am and built bonds that transformed the journey into something profoundly meaningful. I feel deeply grateful for every step, every story, and every connection. Sure, there were days I wished I’d taken more photos, but ultimately, it was about the journey itself and the people who shared it with me.
For those who want the opportunity to do the Camino, I would say you shouldn't have any expectations because the adventure will be exactly what you want.
At the very end of the trip, I spent two-three weeks editing all the photos. I photographed around 4000 shots and cut them down to 1600 as an album to send to the other pilgrims. I also wanted to take this opportunity to make my first photo book:
“Bon Caminho: Frames from the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago”
This 42-page photobook features key moments from each three stages and important moments along the way. This is the first of many books I plan to write and combine photos in the future.
If you are interested in purchasing “Bon Caminho: Frames from the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago,” click on the link and purchase at blurb.com
