Bateau Bay Milky Way Mirror

During my time studying Science Education at university, I was also fostering dogs in need of a loving home. It was a heartwarming experience to care for them and provide an alternative to life in the pound.
 
These furry friends would accompany me on my nighttime adventures, as I wasn't entirely comfortable being alone in the dark. In the past, I was scared of the dark, but that fear has subsided as I continued photographing the night sky.
 
On a few occasions, I drove hours away intending to photograph the night sky, only to find myself sitting in the car, too scared to venture out for a long walk in the dark. Once I began bringing a canine companion with me, I felt more relaxed, and my nerves subsided.
 
Ritchie, who resembled a dingo, joined me on this adventure to photograph the night sky at the beach. While exploring compositions, we discovered the stars reflecting in a sandy pool. The conditions were perfect, with a still, windless night.
 
I later learned that such calm conditions are rare on coastlines, which are often exposed to wind.
After capturing my photographs, Ritchie and I continued our late-night walk. We embarked on many more adventures until he found his forever home with a loving family. Ritchie was my last foster dog, and even today, while shooting, I fondly remember the good times we shared and how he helped me overcome my fear of the dark.