The Rhythm of the Run with Sandro Baebler

Running isn't only about crossing the finish line. It's built on early mornings, repeated laps, quiet focus, and the rhythm that develops long before race day. Those moments of preparation are what Photographer and Director Sandro Baebler set out to capture for Ochsner Sport's latest running campaign.

Photographed inside an indoor athletics facility in Switzerland, the series transforms a familiar training environment into something cinematic without losing its authenticity. Every frame is rooted in real movement, balancing carefully crafted lighting with the natural rhythm of athletes doing what they know best. Rather than chasing perfectly staged action, Sandro creates space for genuine moments to unfold, resulting in images that feel both energetic and honest.

The campaign is also the latest chapter in Sandro's long-standing collaboration with Ochsner Sport. Over several years of working together, they've developed a creative relationship built on trust, giving Sandro the freedom to shape each production while continuing to evolve the brand's visual language. It's a partnership that allows every campaign to feel fresh while staying grounded in the authenticity of the sport itself.

We caught up with Sandro to talk about photographing movement, earning creative trust, and why the strongest sports images often come from simply letting athletes do what they do best.

You've worked with Ochsner Sport for several years. What keeps the collaboration fresh?

We've built a lot of trust over the years. They come to me with the project, and then I can develop ideas for how we want to photograph it. Once we agree on the direction, they give me a lot of freedom. That trust makes a big difference because it lets the work keep evolving.

This campaign was photographed indoors. How did that come about?

The campaign was for spring running, but by the time we photographed it, it was already winter in Switzerland. Since Ochsner Sport wants everything photographed there, we found this indoor athletics facility where the runners could actually train. It became a really interesting environment to work in.

Your background is in studio photography. How does that influence the way you approach a location like this?

Even when I'm shooting on location, I still think like a studio photographer. We created almost all of the light ourselves, which gave us the opportunity to shape the atmosphere instead of simply documenting it. I like finding that balance where the images feel real but still have something unexpected.

Your images always feel very authentic. How do you capture that?

I try to make the day feel like a real training session. We begin with warmups, then the athletes start running together. After a while they're not thinking about the camera anymore. They're focused on running, and that's usually when the strongest moments happen.

Does working with athletes change the way you direct a shoot?

It does. Athletes are used to repetition. If I ask them to run another lap or adjust something small, they understand that's part of the process. They're always trying to improve, so everyone is working toward making the image better.

Movement plays such an important role throughout this series. What are you hoping to capture?

I want the photographs to feel like running, not just show someone running. Sometimes it's in the rhythm between the athletes, sometimes it's in the movement through the frame. Those small moments help the images feel more alive.

What does having a long relationship with Ochsner Sport allow you to do creatively?

There's a level of trust now that gives me a lot of freedom. We already understand how we like to work together, so instead of spending time explaining ideas, we can focus on making the photographs stronger. I think that helps us keep building a visual language from one campaign to the next.

What do you hope people take away from this series?

I hope it feels honest. Everything is carefully planned, but I never want it to feel overproduced. If people can feel the energy of the runners and the atmosphere of the space, then we've done our job.