Freshly returned to Sydney after 18 years in the USA, I found inspiration one crisp morning in the simplicity of a ferry commute. Armed only with a Canon camera and a curiosity to rediscover the city, I boarded a Sydney Ferry before dawn. This personal project paired photography back to its essence: light, timing, and observation.

The charm and ease of gliding across Sydney’s harbor felt worlds away from the chaos of the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles. Capturing the gentle rituals of early-morning commuters and the quiet beauty of the harbor, this series celebrated the everyday transformed by first light. From the process of boarding to the interplay of passengers with their surroundings, every moment told a story of connection, rhythm, and escape.

Inspiration often lies in the simplest acts. This project reflects our enduring passion for photography, storytelling, and the magic found in life’s most ordinary, yet extraordinary, moments.