Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Carlos Santana, undoubtedly the biggest and most famous person I've ever captured up close. Santana's music has always held a special place in my heart, thanks to my father's deep admiration for him. I vividly remember our drives through European towns, the soundtrack always Santana's "Supernatural."
As I entered the venue, the anticipation in the air was palpable as the crowd eagerly awaited Santana and his band. When he finally appeared, it was a bit of a shock to see him—the slight hunch from years of guitar playing was evident, but he carried himself with a relaxed demeanour, casually chewing gum. Yet, when he started playing, any signs of age disappeared; his fingers moved effortlessly across the strings, and he surveyed the arena as if it were second nature to him.
The set kicked off with the classic "Soul Sacrifice," seamlessly flowing into "Jingo" and then "Evil Ways," captivating the audience from the first note. Although I was limited to photographing only the first three songs, those moments were enough to witness Santana and his band in their element.
It was a night where nostalgia and admiration converged, reaffirming Santana's status as a living legend in the music industry.
