The morning this image was taken was a morning of questioning myself. I was with another more experienced photographer who insisted there was no reason to get up in the morning for a sunrise shoot because the skies were predicted to be blue and the sunrise predictors said it was a minimal chance of good light. But it had rained the night before and we were in the mountains. I knew from my own experience that when it rains the night before and is cold there is a great chance for fog. I decided I wanted to go and expressed this to my companion. His attitude was less than supportive, bordering on condescension. I began to question my own knowledge, my own competency as a photographer. I felt “less than.” But I decided to be true to myself and went out in the cold of the morning anyway.

The morning ended up being exquisite. The sun coated the earth in soft golden hues, the rays drifting through the fog on the lake. Mountain peaks all around me were alive with the light in the mist. It was a moment of self-acceptance. It was a moment where I felt vindicated. There was a level of happiness in the success. I have named this piece Acceptance because it was a moment where I knew who I was. I accepted I was capable. I accepted by own experience was enough to guide me in the future. With Acceptance comes Peace.