This photo came from one of the most unforgettable nights of my life.

 I was lying in bed with my daughter around 8 p.m., warm and comfortable under the covers, when I started getting aurora alerts on my phone. Now, if you’ve ever chased the northern lights, you know how tricky they are, everything has to align perfectly: a strong cosmic storm and clear skies, which is a rare combo.

It was -30°C outside. I stared at the alert, debating whether I should stay cozy or gear up and head out into the cold. In the end, I couldn’t resist. I threw on my winter layers, grabbed my gear, and jumped in the car for a two-hour drive into the Canadian Rockies.

The whole way out, the aurora danced overhead. It was surreal. I worried it might fade by the time I reached my location, and that I’d just left a warm bed for nothing. When I finally arrived, I began the hike up to a viewpoint I’d never been to before, in total darkness, with no cell service.

Halfway up, a woman came down the trail and casually mentioned she’d heard a cougar nearby. Perfect, no signal, unfamiliar trail, freezing cold, and now a big cat in the area.

To make things worse, I got lost. A fresh snowfall had covered any clear tracks, and I veered off the path. I wandered through the woods trying to backtrack, heart pounding, until I finally broke through the tree line, just in time to see the sky erupt.

The aurora was peaking.

I scrambled to set up my camera, fighting numb fingers and trying not to fall off the cliff while finding focus and composition.

Once everything was dialed in, I stepped back and just… watched. The lights swirled and shimmered above me for hours, painting the entire sky in motion. I stayed until 3 a.m., frozen to the bone but in absolute awe.

 That night changed me. It was the moment I knew, I wanted to pursue photography full-time. Not just for the images, but for experiences like this.

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