The Sunrise I Almost Missed

During the 2025 market season, I found myself so tired and frazzled from always being on the go that I rarely found time to shoot. By the end of the season, I realized I’d missed being behind the camera—the place I really wanted to be. So this year, I made myself a promise: before every market, I’d get up early and photograph a sunrise or whatever interesting scene the morning offered.

Turns out, I wasn’t very good at keeping that promise.

One week I was determined. The night before the market, I packed my camera bag, charged the batteries…did all the things. The next morning I quietly made my coffee, trying not to wake Robin or the dogs because once they’re up, the whole house is up.

As I drove toward the beach, I started thinking about the kinds of photos I wanted to make.

Then it hit me.

I reached for my camera bag…

…and realized it was still sitting in the bedroom where I’d packed it the night before.

🤦🏻‍♂️

Doh.

I thought about turning around, but sunrise light doesn’t wait for anybody. By the time I got back, it would be gone.

So for the first time in a long time, I went to the beach without a camera and simply enjoyed the sunrise.

The next week, I tried again.

This time I actually remembered my gear.

(Progress, folks.)

I made it to the beach, looked at the sky, and could already tell the sunrise probably wasn’t going to be spectacular. Every sunrise is beautiful, but this one just looked…quiet.

Still a little disappointed from missing the week before, I decided to head back toward the market and get set up early.

As I crossed the causeway, I glanced toward the marsh.

The sun had just started to peek above the horizon.

Some sunrises announce themselves to the whole world. They’re loud, brilliant, and impossible to ignore.

Others quietly slip over the horizon like they don’t want anyone to notice.

Those are my favorite.

I pulled off the road, grabbed my camera, and hoped a deputy didn’t decide that exact moment to drive by.

You don’t realize how fast the sun moves until it’s sitting right on the horizon.

Thankfully, I had just enough time.

This photograph is the result.

About This Photograph

Location: Sunset Beach, NC

Subject: Sunrise

Category: Landscape Photography

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