Elysium: A great state of Happiness

A part of being alive, really alive, is taking paths outside of your comfort zone. When I started photography there were a lot of things outside of my comfort zone. Sunrises and Sunsets tend to be times when you are alone which presents certain dangers in and of itself. A single female alone in the wilderness is not always considered the most safe thing to be. But what is the alternative?

This piece is I think my most special piece. I have named it "Elysium" because this wild place felt like heaven to me. I went alone against all my fears and reservations because I needed to live, to explore this wild, wonderful planet even if it meant I did it alone. I arrived at this location in very heavy fog in the dark. I had to drive so slow as I couldn't see much in front of me. I was afraid of hitting an elk in the dark. It had snowed a few days before and I was worried about driving on icy roads. I had spent a lot of money getting here. It was a stab in the dark as to where to put my camera because of the fog. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to capture something that would make spending that money worthwhile. In general getting here was just a heavy test of my resolve and forced me to face so many fears.

But when the sun rose, the fog lifted and this magnificent scene unfolded in front of me all those fears receded. It was pure joy. It was both a physical and spiritual coming out of the darkness for me. This image speaks to the idea of facing your fears, about stepping out of your comfort zone, about jumping off the cliff of life and having faith that you will soar.

This image was featured in Landscape Photography Magazine in July of 2023. Another moment of joy for me. Another moment of connecting to faith in myself, faith in the process and faith in something bigger than myself.