A Lighthouse Doesn’t Fear the Storm
A lighthouse doesn’t fear the storm; it exists because of it. Looking at Bodie Island in stark black and white, I see my own recovery—the strength to keep standing, and the courage to guide myself home.
I almost didn’t take this photograph.
I had gone to Bodie Island Lighthouse to capture a sweeping scene: the tower in the distance, framed by water, sea grass, and the elevated boardwalk. It was beautiful, and I made some good images as the sun went down. Nothing dramatic—just pleasant, quiet frames of sunset.
I stayed into blue hour, hoping for a sky full of stars over the lighthouse. But a thin veil of clouds dimmed that dream, and eventually I packed up and started toward the car.
As I passed the visitor center, I turned for one last look. That’s when I saw it—the light at the top of the tower against the bare night sky. Suddenly, I knew I hadn’t yet found my keeper.
Capturing the Perfect Composition
I shifted course, heading behind the visitor center, and there it was: a brick pathway leading straight to the door of the lighthouse. That path was everything. I dropped low with my camera, right at the beginning of the bricks, and framed the shot. In just a few moments, I was in love.
I had set out to photograph a lighthouse—but what I needed was this lighthouse. My earlier shots were fine, but they kept the tower at a distance, cluttered by distraction. This composition stripped everything away. It isolated the subject. It revealed the strength and clarity I had been chasing all along.
Seeing It in Print
It quickly became one of my favorite images from my week on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve printed it multiple times, but recently, when I held a 24×36″ aluminum print of this scene in my hands, I caught my breath all over again.
A Lighthouse as a Symbol of Resilience
For me, this image is more than bricks, steel, and light. It’s a reminder that clarity comes when we strip away distraction, that strength often shows itself in simplicity, and that recovery—like a lighthouse—means standing tall through every storm. After months of facing uncertainty, enduring pain, and navigating the challenges of my injury and recovery, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about rushing forward—it’s about showing up each day, even when the path is unclear. This lighthouse reminds me to keep steady, to trust the process, and to celebrate the small victories along the way.
Hope
This photo holds deep significance for me — a symbol of strength, endurance, and guidance. Like a lighthouse standing steadfast against the storm, it has guided mariners home safely for generations. For me, it’s a beacon of my values, a reminder of what matters most, and a reflection of the journey I’ve been on. It reminds me that I am almost home to port.
This image is also the cover photograph for my upcoming book, Hope. Written, reviewed, and in the final stages, I hope to have Hope available soon — a project inspired by resilience, light in dark times, and the guiding forces in our lives.
Photos need to be printed
It’s wonderful to capture moments and share them on social media, but once they scroll off the feed, they can be lost forever. A printed photo can be held, appreciated, and truly live. Hanging your favorite image on the wall transforms it into a daily reminder and inspiration. Explore my galleries to find the photograph that speaks to you, and let it become a part of your home and your story.
