My earliest memories are eagerly waiting for the latest edition of National Geographic Kids to arrive at my doorstep. I would leaf through and lift each page, so as not to tear the perfect images. Staring face to face with a red-eyed tree frog or a penguin with its newborn chick, I envisioned myself as the photographer who captured that moment. Always with a camera in hand, I immersed myself further into the technicalities of the photographic world, indulging myself with any opportunity I received, keen to learn more.

At sixteen, my photography intensive when I visited Washington on a camping trip. The pivotal experience for me was during an overnight at Trillium Lake in Oregon, the most remote place I have ever been: after day morphed to night, not even the slightest light source was visible. Our instructor explained long-exposure photography tactics, I held my flashlight, camera, and tripod while experiencing a sudden surge of excitement.

I fastened my camera to its three mechanical legs; finally, it was ready to hold its eye in a long stare that would capture the beauty of the crystal sky. I laid on the boat ramp, stunned by the dappled sky I witnessed above. Minutes later, I heard the distinct sound of the aperture fins closing. I knew then that I had found a new and previously frightening appreciation of all things dark.

After that experience, I daydreamed of intricate compositions filled with stars and decaying trees glistening in the moonlight. My skills increasingly became more refined the more I practiced. Engulfing myself in the darkness was something that was previously foreign, but has now become my norm.

My bedroom walls are adorned with thought provoking images that I am proud to have created. As an artist and a student, the past four years have propelled my photographic journey forward and taken me to places I once feared. Night photography has been challenging to learn and will take longer to master, however, I persevere by going out to shoot after dark every moment I can.

On the beach with only the moon and stars for company, I open the shutter and let the night sky ebb onto my film. I look forward to presenting the world we live in, with a new vision of the beauty and depth nightscapes reveal, night to night.

As the cheetah chases its prey on the cover of National Geographic Kids, I continue to chase my dream of becoming a professional photographer; balancing light and dark, harmonizing passion and technique.