One of my first hikes in my life was to Ypsilon Lake with my Uncle Mike in 2004. He instilled a love and passion for the outdoors for me that helped carry me through my dark days with depression. After he lost his battle with cancer in 2017, I started doing a hike every year in his honor, which was Ypsilon Lake last year. On the way to the lake, we found a small pond that had perfectly still water and reflected everything around it wonderfully. I always feel his presence with me in the mountains but on this day I did more than ever. An enormous piece of myself and my nature photography is and always be an extension of my Uncle Mike and the love for the outdoors he gave me.

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO