Tactical Rehearsals and Manifested Relics

It was a week of sharp contrasts, shifting from the structured, high-stakes environment of the Tampa Convention Center to the start of the new week with the raw energy of the local underground music scene.

Watching the Horizon: SOF Week 2026

The week started with a distinct change of pace and venue. I spent the first few days documenting the preparation and rehearsals leading up to the massive mock invasion event on Wednesday. Watching the precision, the timing, and the sheer scale of the coordination playing out on the Tampa waterfront offered a completely different perspective on capturing action. There is a unique challenge in framing moments where every movement is deliberate, tactical, and fast-moving. The energy was palpable, serving as a reminder of how diverse the stories captured through a lens can truly be.

From the Stage to the Studio: Tension Electric

While the beginning of the week was about anticipating action, the latter half was about celebrating a project coming full circle. Back on April 11th, I photographed the local Tampa band Tension Electric during their performance at Deviant Libation. That night was loud, heavy, and visual, the perfect foundation for what would become the first physical prints of the Яɘlik portrait series.

Manifesting the Relic

Yesterday, the very first finished Яɘlik prints made their debut at a local fundraiser event. The goal with this series has always been to create something tangible, permanent, and heavy, an archive of a moment that refuses to be forgotten.

In a turn of events that feels like the ultimate validation of the project, the prints were quickly acquired by the buyers. The buyers happened to be Tension Electric themselves.

Seeing the work resonate so directly with the musical artists who inspired it means the world. With those prints out in the wild, the Яɘlik portrait series is officially manifested, setting a powerful tone for the start of this new week and everything yet to be captured.