War Zone with a Camera: On Set of Our Girl 3
There are days when holding a camera feels like stepping into another world, and working on Our Girl 3 was exactly that. Though I was officially the Nepal Producer for the British television series, my role expanded in unexpected ways. In South Africa, during the Syria mission episodes, I was asked to step in as the still photographer on set. Suddenly, I was crouched behind sandbags, camera pressed to my eye, explosions going off around me, stunt performers sprinting past, and smoke filling the air. For a few surreal moments, I felt like a war photojournalist, even though every bullet was blank and every blast was carefully orchestrated by the stunt team.
The brilliance of Our Girl lies not only in the writing by Tony Grounds and the meticulous production by Tim Whitby and Samantha Putter, but also in the extraordinary cast who brought the story to life. Michelle Keegan as Sergeant Georgie Lane carried the heart of the show with raw emotion and strength. Alongside her were Ben Aldridge as Captain James, Luke Pasqualino as Elvis Harte, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Maisie Richards, Sean Ward as Fingers, and Mark Armstrong as Spanner. Watching them perform in chaotic battle scenes, with dust, smoke, and fire all around, was witnessing world class acting in the middle of a carefully orchestrated storm. Antony Stone and his BIG BANG stunt team designed the explosions and firefights with meticulous safety and realism, while his loyal dog Pyro wandered the set like a quiet guardian. Every frame I captured looked like it belonged on the cover of a war documentary.
What made the experience even more meaningful was how it connected to Nepal. While the Syria episodes came alive in South Africa, much of Our Girl 3 also unfolded in Nepal. The storyline placed the British Army Medic team in an earthquake torn, devastation hit region where Sergeant Georgie Lane and her team arrived for a rescue and relief mission. What started as humanitarian aid soon spiraled into other operations that entangled the characters and viewers in a layered drama of survival, strength, and humanity. Filming against the backdrop of authentic Himalayan villages, mountain trails, and sacred monasteries, our team ensured every detail was seamless for the British creatives. Nepal became a living set, its landscapes adding depth and weight to the story while still reflecting the warmth and power of its people.
Through my ventures like Location Nepal and Fantastic Film & Photography, I continue to provide international productions with everything they need: permits, logistics, casting, aerial shoots, high end stills, and problem solving in the most challenging environments. On Our Girl 3, the British cast and crew could focus entirely on performance and story while we made sure that the production was smooth, safe, and creatively limitless.
As I look back, I don’t just see a job well done; I see friendships and trust built on set. Working alongside people like Tony Grounds, Tim Whitby, and Samantha Putter felt like being part of a creative family. The explosions may have been staged, but the bonds and memories were very real. Every day felt like both a test and a gift, and every image reminded me why photography matters beyond the frame.
Global productions often look for the perfect balance of local expertise and international standards, and that’s exactly where we thrive. From war dramas to humanitarian campaigns, from commercials to feature films, we make it possible for stories to be told with cinematic scale and absolute reliability. My hope is that every creative director, producer, and agency looking to film in Nepal, the UAE or beyond finds us and knows that we are ready to take on any challenge, deliver flawless results, and create images that live far beyond the screen.
