Brazilian photographer Leonardo Sens finally took the photo of his dreams. According to PetaPixel, he positioned himself at Icaraí Beach, about 11 km from the statue, and photographed the moon just as it passed behind the figure, which appears to hold the luminous orb in its outstretched palms in an act of divine alignment.Who is Leonardo Sens?
Born and raised in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Leonardo discovered his passion for photography in 2002 when he received his first camera. He takes it everywhere and photographs everything, especially landscapes and nature.
He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and for many years juggled photography and engineering as his two jobs, but during the pandemic in 2020, he began working exclusively as a photographer.
At first, landscapes and nature were what enchanted him the most. But after investing in new equipment, Leonardo also became interested in photographing people.
Regarding the image that gained international media coverage, he explained that the idea arose precisely from his observation. He studied the moon’s movement and waited for the perfect moment and weather conditions.
“Here in Niterói, we have a view of the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, and it’s easy to see that at certain times of the year, the sun and the moon pass near Christ. So I had the idea to research and observe the correct date. I used mobile apps that indicate the positions and times,” Leonardo explained.
“This alignment happens every year, but in 2021 I couldn’t frame the photo, and in 2022 it was too cloudy that day,” said the photographer. Even with frustrating attempts for two consecutive years, on June 4, 2023, he arrived at Icaraí Beach very early, set up his equipment, and waited attentively for the moment of alignment, moving sideways to achieve the perfect framing. And it happened. At 6:28 in the morning, the photo was captured.
For the future, the photographer plans to hold an exhibition of his photos and put the images up for sale so that others can have a piece of his art in their homes.
To learn more about Leonardo Sens’s work, visit @leosens on Instagram.