Chasing Light: Why I Wake Up at 4AM for the Perfect Shot
Waking up at 4AM might sound extreme — but for a travel photographer chasing golden hour light, it’s where the magic begins. In this post, I share the stories and reasons behind some early-morning shoots, from snowy Iceland to the wild canyons of Utah, and why those quiet, fleeting moments before sunrise often lead to the most powerful images.
There’s a certain silence before sunrise that feels sacred. The world hasn’t yet started buzzing, the air is cooler, and the sky begins to stretch into soft colors that last only minutes. That’s why, as a travel and landscape photographer, I often find myself waking up in the dark — long before anyone else — to chase the light.
Some of the most meaningful images in my portfolio were captured during these early hours. From the snowy mountains of Iceland to the first pink glows over the canyons of Utah, these moments offer not just beauty, but emotion. And for me, that’s what photography is all about.
The Power of Golden Hour
In landscape photography, the best light comes when most people are still asleep. The "golden hour" — just after sunrise — wraps the world in warm tones, long shadows, and a softness that no midday light can recreate. During these moments, textures come alive and colors turn richer. The same scene photographed two hours later would be flatter, more ordinary.
Chasing light is about patience and timing. It’s about being ready when that fleeting moment happens — when fog rolls through a valley or when a single beam of sunlight hits a mountain ridge just right.
From Chef to Photographer: Following the Light
For more than 25 years, I worked as a chef. My creativity used to live on the plate. But over time, my passion for travel and photography began to take over. I needed time — and space — to explore.
I’ve now traveled with my camera through over 20 countries in Europe with an RV, explored 15+ U.S. National Parks, and more than 20 around the World fallen in love with landscapes from Iceland to the Philippines. But no matter where I go, the most magical shots almost always come when I’m up before the sun.
Behind the Shot: Iceland Sunrise
In Iceland’s remote highlands, I remember waking up at 4AM, hiking with my gear through snow-covered terrain by headlamp. The reward? A sunrise over the frosted peaks, filtered through icy mist, painting the slopes in amber and gold. I didn’t just photograph that moment — I lived it. And when someone buys that photo, they’re not just getting a pretty view. They’re getting that memory.
Why It’s Worth It
Travel photography isn’t just about seeing places — it’s about feeling them. Waking up before dawn, braving the cold, standing alone in the quiet — these are sacrifices that create images with soul. They’re what turn wall art into windows to another world.
That’s what I hope to share with every fine art print at Baxphotos. Whether it’s a monochrome image of the Great Salt Lake or an abstract drone photo of Factory Butte, each piece holds a moment I chased, waited for, and captured with care.
Final Thoughts
The next time you see a sunrise photo, remember: someone stood in the dark to bring you that light. I’ll keep setting my alarm for 4AM — because in those early hours, the world still feels untouched. And in that light, photography becomes something more than art.