March 12, 2020—Egypt. A storm raged over the Red Sea, an unusual sight for the usually serene shores of Sahl Hasheesh. The world was changing rapidly; whispers of lockdowns and travel bans loomed. My wife and I, visiting from Canada, were unknowingly about to embark on an unplanned three-month isolation in Cairo.

As the winds howled and the sea frothed in fury, I felt an unexpected sense of peace. Camera in hand, I stepped onto the deserted beach, capturing the chaos through my lens. My wife thought I was crazy. But when she saw the photos, she understood. Amid the storm, there was beauty—there was calmness.

That moment became more than just a memory. The image I captured, aptly named Calmness, would go on to win international photography awards. A reminder that even in the wildest storms, peace can be found.