Stunning Image Captured by Photographer Shows Christ the Redeemer ‘Holding’ the Moon After Three-Year Pursuit

In a remarkable display of patience and skill, Brazilian photographer Leonardo Sens has captured a unique image of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, appearing to hold the Moon in its outstretched palms.

After three years of consistent efforts, Sens succeeded in snapping this dream shot on June 4, from Icaraí Beach in the Niterói municipality, approximately seven miles from the towering 98-foot statue.

The awe-inspiring photograph features the colossal Christ the Redeemer statue, located at the summit of Mount Corcovado, with the Moon nestled in its palms. To achieve this once-in-a-lifetime shot, Sens diligently studied the Moon’s position and trajectory, hoping to seize the rare moment when the celestial body perfectly aligns with the renowned statue.

Speaking to PetaPixel, the original publisher of this article, Sens revealed the role mobile apps played in this venture, providing crucial data on the Moon’s position relative to the statue. In 2021, to ensure the Moon and Sun appeared closer in his images, Sens invested in a 600mm lens.

However, the journey to the perfect shot was not without its trials. “Despite knowing the exact moment the Moon would be positioned, I wasn’t able to frame the photo in my first attempt as the Moon goes down quite fast,” Sens recalled. Weather conditions further hindered his plans in 2022, as clouds and haze made the shot impossible.

Check out more images on the Instagram page of Leonardo Sens here

In June of that year, Sens made another attempt. After verifying the Moon’s position, he arrived at Icaraí Beach, only to be foiled by cloud cover. Yet, persistence paid off. He returned the following day, determined to capture the moment. “On Sunday, I checked the Moon’s position on the apps and I arrived at the beach about 20 minutes early to take the shot,” Sens said.

Elation followed when Sens reviewed his images at home. “And then I really saw that I had done it!” he exclaimed. The extraordinary photograph quickly gained attention on social media, amassing nearly 700,000 likes on Instagram. Fans of Sens’s work praised the image, calling the shot “perfect.”