The Hottest Job I’ve Ever Had

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Xtek, located in Sharonville, makes huge metal parts for huge machines. The factory, originally built in the 50s, is a photographer’s dream. When they said they wanted me to come in and shoot their space and processes for artwork to hang on the wall, I could barely contain my excitement.

Unfortunately, we chose to do this during the hottest heat wave we’ve had in ages. When the high is 95ºF and the feels-like temp is over 100ºF, being outdoors is a challenge. When you’re in a factory under those conditions and it doesn’t have air conditioning, the outdoors suddenly feels like the better option.

And when you’re standing feet away from a 1700ºF furnace with its lid off and a glowing hot mass of metal is being extracted from it, you become acutely aware that the air around you is probably hotter than anything you’ve ever experienced.

I got my shots, but not before losing every ounce of water I had left in my body. When I got home, I immediately showered and threw my clothes in the washer. It was a privilege to get to photograph this place, and I had a blast doing it, but if ever I need to go another round with it, I hope we do it in January.

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