CANNES, France (AP) — Daniel Cole, a freelance photographer who does extensive work for The Associated Press, mostly in southern France, spends the majority of his time covering hard news. But he takes great joy in spending nearly two weeks each May in a tuxedo, covering the glamourous Cannes Film Festival, where he can push the creativity of his photos even farther. Here’s what he had to say about making this extraordinary image.

Why this photo

As a news photographer, to be dressed up and shooting the biggest stars as they waltz down the red carpet is not my usual routine. Yet the Cannes Film Festival has become one of my favorite assignments: a non-stop two weeks with no shortage of glamorous looks or Hollywood star power. It is an event that ceaselessly invites you to photograph people, a rare occurrence in the day-to-day of a news photographer.