Tens of thousands of people pass through the arrivals gate at the airport every day – but for most of us, we only have our eyes on one or a few.

Taken at the Melbourne Airport international arrivals hall, I took these images intending to depict and convey the raw blueprint of the most genuine and honest emotion we as humans experience – real love.

With so many intimate, moving moments, I often found myself with tears in my eyes, or a silly smile on my face capturing these beautiful photos. Countless hours of hardship and longing for each other – it all ends when they walk out of that gate. It is the moment of greeting when you realize that life would be meaningless without them and that they are your lighthouse for our tempestuous souls.

We only allow ourselves to be vulnerable to the people we truly trust and love – and in those interesting photos, everyone is at their most vulnerable. There were various dynamics and personalities at play, some are shy and reticent, while others are more buoyant and emotional, no matter who we are, and what culture we are from, one thing is constant – and that is love.

At the airport, I understood that true love isn’t spoken, it is felt and portrayed in that embrace, that kiss, that look in each other’s eyes and I was glad to capture it in my photography art. Love is both tender and strong, and after witnessing such heartwarming moments, I believe that yes, love may conquer all.

More info: janezhangphotography.com