A soul memory and another defining moment

For the past week I have been on yet another great adventure in Telluride Colorado working with Adam Barker and helping out as he instructed 7 diverse people in an epic photography workshop. I learned more in the last three days than I would have in a semester of study at the University. And thus it is when we travel, experience, and observe. It was a hectic few days as we were completely immersed in instructing the participants and exploring over 200 miles of terrain in the Subaru in search for great shooting locations. We have done 4 sunrises and sunsets in a row, making an early rising at 5am each day. When passion is involved, our bodies and minds are capable of reaching heights that the un-passionate soul simply cannot reach.

Today we wrapped up the workshop on a great note, and walked away stoked from a job well done and ready for more adventure and rest(though we never get around to resting). My good brother Garett Smith(who was killed lastMarch in an avalanche) was present in my thoughts throughout the entire day. He is an inspiration, the father of my photographic pursuits, my greatest mentor. Through Garrett and his sweet wife Molly I have known Adam and many others to whom I owe the world. Adam and I took off this afternoon stoked to have some quiet sunset shooting. We scouted out some locations and rallied the Subaru on the winding dirt roads, until last minute decided to cruise over to the Dallas Divide, an iconic yet beautiful landscape where we would capture the sunset.

We arrived a few minutes later than we wanted, but we weren't too late. The sun was making its way west beyond the horizon, and the last light of the evening was reflecting off the tall, majestic mountains to the south-east. As I gazed over the landscape I began to have flashbacks of a trip I took with my family as a young child through this part of the country. I distinctly remembered driving this road with Dad behind the wheel as the grand scenery surrounding my small body showing me how big this world really is. I remember a feeling, maybe more than visual memories, of the spirit that was released from the mountains and in to my soul, planting a seed of adventure, exploration, outdoors, passion, and appreciation for this wonderful life.

I felt those same feelings this evening as I now years later, through the mysterious ways of God, have returned to this land to capture images and share yet another precious moment with those who have gone before me.

Nate Sorensen