I took this photo in late May at Portland Head Light the day after a big storm. I headed out to the lighthouse with my girlfriend, Abby, to see if we could get some photos of the waves crashing against the rocky outcroppings nearby. When we arrived, I knew the harsh weather would make for some great photos. A year before I had helped host Portland’s first Worldwide InstaMeet, a day that ended with Instagram photographers capturing the waves at the Head Light. This lighthouse has always had a special place in my heart, reminding me of the wonderful connections I’ve made by sharing my work and the encouragement that I’ve received from the community of photographers that I’m part of. This particular photo embodies the tonal and compositional characteristics I look for when making photos: the color palette, balanced composition, and soft lighting allow for aesthetically pleasing shadow and highlight tonality. I have lived in Maine my entire life, and photographing the natural beauty of the state has always been rewarding.