Camping under a clear night sky in the backcountry is one of my favorite things to do. Getting away from the light pollution of the city and seeing billions of stars shining in the sky is something I think everyone should witness at least once.

I camp a lot less in the winter than I do in the summer. Everything's a lot harder and you need more gear. However, every time I have gone out in the winter, it has been a truly magical experience. Sound gets muffled by the snow and there's not much wildlife or people around. It invokes a serious sense of calm and peacefulness.

This shot is composed of two parts. The snow covered trees were photographed in the blue hour during my first backcountry ski experience with some good friends. We slept in a snow cave we built. By the morning it had almost collapsed and my sleeping bag was soaked from the condensation. Nonetheless, it was a night I will never forget. The aurora in this photograph was taken on a different evening. It was one of the first dates with my girlfriend and we were lucky enough to witness the magic of a huge solar storm. The green lights danced across the sky for hours. Their beauty was intoxicating. Talk about an unforgettable date.

This piece reminds me to never stop creating. Creating is the thing I love to do above anything else. When I'm out shooting with my camera, it's almost as if I'm in a meditative state. The whole world around me melts away and all that's left is my camera and I.

This image was photographed by Vincent Schnabl.

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