Nine Dog Sunrise

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, California

Camera: Widelux

What makes it special: The daily life of our patrol dogs provides an appropriate metaphor for why we live in the mountains. It doesn't matter how challenging our lives might be, as long as we can get outside and have fun with our friends, nothing else matters. Living in the moment is what our dogs do so well, so naturally.

The story:  "Avalanche Patrol Teams are the unsung heroes of the ski slopes. Day in day out, dog teams train to save lives in avalanches. Their office has a stunning view and their lifestyle is enviable.

For an assignment for Ski Magazine, I assembled the Alpine Meadows Avalanche Patrol for a team photo on top of the mountain. The teams usually work separately, so this was special, and the excitement of being all together at the summit for sunrise sparked the dogs. The patrollers stood behind me calling their canine mates, giving commands to hold and focus. I shot away as nine beautiful Golden Retrievers enjoyed their moment as the center of the universe.

I finished the posed shot (Nine Dog Chairlift) and turned to reload. As I wrapped up I realized that the boisterous canines and their humans had all gone quiet. I turned and was dumbstruck. I understand how it feels to be moved by natural beauty. Being at the right place at the right time to experience the dawn of a new day is almost imbedded in me, but I must admit I was surprised when the dogs went quiet, focused, and unquestionably got it, too. I joined in, looking on as the rays of light bounced off the lake, and I relished the calm.

At a perfect moment, Trevor, the largest Golden on the chair, turned to make sure that I wasn't missing out, "You are getting this, aren't you?" I got it; it's Nine Dog Sunrise.

There is a world of difference between the two shots. The front view of the dogs (Nine Dog Chairlift) was animated and fun, but staged. It was only through the evolution of the shoot, after I shot an entire roll of film, when the energy shifted. The dogs also felt it; everything became more real. One dog connected us all in a new, immediate world.

I could spend the rest of my life trying to recreate Nine Dog Sunrise, but there's no way it's ever going to happen again. Thank God for magic moments."