As Juema and I cruised up Tonkin Highway toward Maylands, where the APU (Australian Powerlifting) WA States took place, a rush of nerves surged within me. It was my first event photoshoot, and uncertainty loomed: What would the lighting be like? How’s the setup? Could I get clean shots? Despite these uncertainties, I embraced the challenge.

Exactly a week ago (at least as I write this), I witnessed an intimate gathering where a handful of warriors embarked on a daunting challenge. It’s a test of immense physical and mental fortitude—a challenge I couldn’t help but respect. (Plus ultra? Anime fans might catch that reference!)

Stepping into the venue, I hoped to spot someone who looked like they knew the lay of the land. Because, of course, asking for help isn’t my style. Ascending the stairs, I caught faint music—the timing was on my side. After forking out the $10 entry fee, I snagged a seat, clueless about what lay ahead. As I unpacked my camera, the commentator detailed who’d be starting on which platform—left or right. With two sides of the room, I heard Tim’s name, readied my lens, and promptly went to the wrong side. Rookie move, right?

Realizing my error, I hustled to the correct side for Tim’s second squat.

Squat:

Recently, I hit a personal best in my own squat, and following Tim’s program, I understand the challenge of heavy lifting. The bar on your back demands precision— you need to brace your core. Lift it off the rack, take those steps back, plant your feet, and squat. The descent is slow and controlled, but regaining that weight demands effort, especially with judges scrutinizing form from all angles. My respect goes out to all competitors—PB or not.

Bench:

While benching might not be Tim’s strongest, witnessing his progress leading up to the event was intriguing. Historically seen as the ‘manly’ lift, the bench press has been a yardstick for one’s worth. Witnessing competitors giving their all was nothing short of spectacular at the event.

Deadlifts:

Remember Tim explaining powerlifting comps in our first podcast? The one where deadlifts—arguably the most challenging lift—come in last? Turns out it’s true. The energy surged during this segment as the crowd rallied behind competitors, making their final lifts in their set of three attempts.

One standout moment was witnessing Natalie—unknown to me personally—emerge as the crowd rallied in support of her final lift. Capturing that moment was a highlight for me.

In conclusion, it was a rewarding experience shared with Tim. Finding a spot against the left-hand wall, I secured some impressive perspective shots (mostly vertical—thanks for the tip, Joydrive/Simon) that would translate well on Instagram. Juggling exposure while capturing the event’s vibe was a steep learning curve but one I’ve enjoyed immensely.

Feel free to reach out to any competitors on the day who spot themselves in my photos and wish for a copy! Take care, everyone. One love.