We began this sequence of portraits, all featuring ‘Horizon Athletic’ costumes, during the Covid pandemic. The pandemic had the effect of forcing people to assess their local surroundings and reap the benefits of their direct environment, one phenomenon was how many people turned to cold water swimming as a means to escape, revitalise and meditate. Focusing on one small French community which has a very international community we created this project of personal interviews along with portraits of local women. Each photograph was taken in the exact same location but at different times of the day, ranging from sunrise to sunset, and over a period of a few months; the landscape, quality of light, weather, reflections, water conditions and all of the environmental factors were in a state continual flux and change, creating a differing dynamic with each image regardless of the static location.
Photographs and interviews created by Angela Huntbach-Hertault of AHH Agency. With thanks to all of the wonderful women in the portraits who share their image along with most personal feelings and insights with us. You are our Horizon Heroes…
Horizon Hero Profile
Sam Affani
10th July 2021
Being a banker in Geneva before having children was very exciting, now I have three children and I am a content mother but I do miss the buzz.
I grew up in Hartfordshire, UK. I did a Business and Law degree in London and somehow fell into a career in banking. Work brought my husband and I to Geneva which is when we started our family.
I have three active boys, aged 13, 10 and 5, and two step daughters, they are basically my life. It’s a blended family that works really well, and it’s fascinating just seeing them grow up and develop into who they are – I do my best to just be there for them. Like any mum you want the best for your kids and hope they are happy. I feel really fulfilled in my life and somehow I am always very busy.
I’m a huge fan of cooking, food was never that important to me until I had a family. My husband is from a big Moroccan family, and life for him was all about food so this was something I embraced and took on.
I love running and exercise along with eating properly and learning. I love trying new things and I’m always up for trying stuff. Friends are also really important to me.
I exercise to clear my head, I love the feeling of not thinking about anything else, to push myself and feel invigorated. I ran the London Marathon in 2005 and running has remained consistent from adolescence until now. It’s like a release whereby I can forget about everything else. I love to run with friends and we chat a lot along the way! Don’t you just love after a 15 -20 km run you feel like superwoman and you can get a million things done during the day, it gives you more energy!
This year I took on cold water swimming. The first time was on Christmas Day 2020. I suppose I became hooked to the feeling it gives you, like an escape. I’m someone who always really felt the cold so for me this was a massive challenge. But now I don’t feel the cold in the same way. It empties your mind, the concentration and focus is so much about pushing yourself beyond discomfort.
