My teens were tumultuous, to say the least. For a myriad of reasons, I didn’t think I’d see twenty-one. In fact, I didn’t want to. Those years were dark, and I was lost in that darkness. But amidst the shadows, I found a glimmer of hope—a lifeline extended by some incredible individuals who quite literally saved me and remain my family to this day.
There are countless ways in which they helped me see the light. It was during this turbulent time that I picked up my first camera and we headed into the Colorado hills. Hiking, camping, and seeking out adventure led me to admire the intricate details of the world around me. In the midst of nature’s grandeur, I found solace in the smallest of wonders—the delicate wildflowers, the texture of bark on trees, and all the little things that whispered of miracles.
Back then, photography was my escape, and film was my canvas. I cannot tell you how many rolls I went through, capturing everything that caught my eye. I zeroed in on the wonder, starting a love affair with photography that continues to shape my perspective to this day. The focus on details reshaped my worldview, opening my eyes to the magic that exists in every corner of our world.
But perhaps the most profound connection I’ve found is with nature itself, and now, I’m passing that love on to my children. Watching them marvel at the intricacies of the natural world—smelling flowers, gazing at the moon and stars, collecting all the rocks—fills me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I see in them the same appreciation for the little things, the same feeling of belonging in the woods, and I know that this connection will be their salvation too.
In the end, it’s the beauty of the overlooked, the unnoticed, and the magic everywhere that keeps me going. It’s what I seek, what I see, and what I strive to capture with every click of my camera. And in sharing this love with my children, I find hope for the future—a future where they, too, will look for the light in the darkness.
-Faith Danielle