The family cabin in northern Wisconsin has been a place of respite for generations. It sits on French Lake, nestled in the woods of the Nicolet National Forest, where I spent many childhood summers engaging in the outdoor activities that are synonymous with Midwestern leisure. Days spent swimming, canoeing, fishing, sitting on the dock, and reading are memories that bring ease to my mind.

In my adult life, I have enjoyed spending time there in the fall when the colors light up the woods and there is a crisp chill in the clean air that I cannot replicate in my city life. This chill also brings a smoky mist to the lake many mornings, which provides an atmosphere ripe to capture the sunrise across the lake. The fog covers the light just enough to photograph the sun peaking over the trees while still providing a colorful foreground of reflection on the still water.

In this image, I set up my tripod on the land behind the dock to shoot reflections of the dock chairs among the lily pads in the foreground. It gives me a sense that this area of relaxation is home within the lake itself. The foggy ambiance beyond the dock clouds any signs of other residences, providing the feeling that I am alone to explore this new day on the lake. Furthermore, the reflections of the trees leading to the forest on the horizon create a mysterious environment beyond the dock beckoning me to explore it.