After concluding a rather difficult year, I decided I wanted to spend my birthday doing something that made me feel alive. We ascended the hike in the dark before sunrise so we could watch the morning light dance across the mountains and the valley. I was the last to reach the top and when I turned the corner to see the view for the first time, I witnessed my friends enjoying a cup of coffee and taking in the same breathtaking moment I was experiencing. The air was crisp and the mood was still. I am moved by this moment every time I see this photograph. I am reminded to breathe deep and cherish the little moments. It is the most clear representation of why I am a photographer. This day taught me that the value of a photograph exceeds technical skill. Photographs are a visual time stamp to remember important moments and memories. It is invaluable.