What was the last thing that happened to you that made you feel utter and complete EXHILARATION and ALIVE? When was the last time that you tried something NEW and felt like a little kid on Christmas about it?
I never realized just how much climbing to the top of a mountain at 11pm to photograph the stars would make me feel so alive. I don’t consider myself an astrophotographer but I have always wanted to get photos of the milky way. It was completely unintentional but it couldn’t have worked out more beautifully.
I had driven to the mountains to visit my dear wedding photographer friend, Lisa of Lovesome Photography. We knew each other when we both lived in Virginia but our friendship really blossomed when we both moved out to Colorado. She is a phenomenal photographer and an amazing friend. Lisa agreed to accompany me to a perfect location for a Halloween portrait that I had conceptualized.
Credit: Lovesome Photography. How GORGEOUS is this Vail, Colorado Wedding Photo? Told you that she is amazing!!! 😍😍😍
After the photoshoot we went out to dinner and had a really lovely time. I expressed to her and her husband how much I would love to get some new star photos for my composite photography. They suggested a few locations for pictures and took me there.
It was a perfect night. It wasn’t too cold or too windy. Granted, I don’t know that much about astrophotography so I learned a couple of tricks from Lisa and Ian about camera settings. For example, set your lens to infinity (I had no clue what this was) and some ideal shutter speeds so as not to get so much star motion (from the planet rotating)
So, with those tips in mind I started taking photos. Please note that I was taking photos for my stock images so I wasn’t composing them in such a way that they were intended to be printed as wall art.
As I looked back through my images, I realized I had caught Andromeda in one of them! I was BEYOND exhilarated about that. I couldn’t believe that I had captured a galaxy! It seemed to me like the stuff of dreams or scientists with fancy equipment. It honestly felt like opening a present on your birthday or Christmas morning! My jaw dropped and I immediately shared it with my big brother who LOVES space and stars.
Having no experience in astrophotography, I still couldn’t believe what I had captured. I am also beyond happy to use these images in my work and look forward to all of the inspiration that will ensue from using them.
Immediately I began to think about my next place to go and photograph the stars. I feel so addicted haha. I’m also beyond grateful for friends who share the same level of love for photography as I do and are totally happy to come and take photos late at night with me.
So, I will ask again. When was the last time that you felt complete and utter EXHILARATION? Let me know in the comments below!
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