Every friday, I get the same text message from my parents: “Where are you hiking this weekend? Don’t forget to send us photos!” It’s a simple reminder of how deeply living in Washington has defined who I am today. Hiking, backpacking, and photography have become more than just hobbies—they’re the driving forces behind my personal growth. Through all the miles I’ve hiked and photos I’ve taken, I’ve strengthened both my craft and my sense of self.

When I first moved to this state six years ago, I would have never imagined where my camera and my own two feet would take me. I still recall the details of my first ever hike: Stopping every few minutes to take photos and to catch my breath, my thick cotton shirt drenched in sweat, and being completely awestruck by the evergreens and alpine lakes around me. Despite the exhaustion, I was completely hooked from that very first trail.

Those early outings sparked a determination in me to become strong enough to haul my camera gear and hike any trail I wanted. Hiking with friends who were faster and more experienced often left me feeling out of shape and unsure of my athletic abilities. It proved to be a mental challenge as much as a physical one. But my desire to see and capture the beauty of this state kept me moving forward. With every hike, I found new opportunities to practice my craft, and as my photos improved, so did my strength, endurance, and confidence. Most importantly, I was finding a community of like-minded people.

In 2021, i found myself on a sunrise snowshoe hike with a girl named Sonya, who has since become one of my best friends. We spent hours driving and hiking in the dark, nervously laughing and insisting that every sound we heard was “definitely not a bear.” As the sun finally started to rise and the mountains were painted in alpenglow, I felt pure euphoria. The photos from that morning turned out better than I could’ve imagined, and I felt like I was making the progress I had hoped for. The years that followed were filled with early mornings and late nights seeking out the best conditions and lighting—and building meaningful friendships.

For much of my life, I measured success through academic achievements and the pursuit of perfection, never truly understanding what fulfillment felt like. Looking back, moving to Washington was more than just a change of scenery. It was a turning point that altered the trajectory of my twenties. Every trail has taught me something different: patience, perseverance, and presence. Each photograph has become a way to see the world with deeper appreciation. What began as weekend escapes has become a lifelong journey of self-discovery.

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