Landscape Photography Was My First Love
Before I ever held a portrait lens or experimented with studio lighting, I fell in love with landscape photography. There’s something magical about standing in the middle of nature, camera in hand, chasing that perfect light — that fleeting golden moment when the world seems to pause, and all that exists is the view in front of you. That’s where it all started for me.
When we were living in Europe, my love for landscapes truly blossomed. I was blessed to explore some of the most breathtaking natural and historic scenery the continent has to offer. From the lavender fields of Provence in France, to the storybook villages tucked into the valleys of Germany, to the snow-capped majesty of the Swiss Alps — every place I visited felt like a scene lifted from a postcard.
In Prague, I wandered cobblestone streets at sunrise, capturing the way the early light danced on gothic spires and rippled across the Vltava River. Italy offered an entirely different palette: golden hills in Tuscany, dramatic coastal cliffs in Cinque Terre, and the quiet serenity of the Dolomites — each frame telling a story of ancient beauty and timeless charm.
Every country had its own rhythm, its own light. And with each trip, I grew not just as a photographer, but as a person. Landscape photography taught me patience. It taught me to slow down and truly see — not just look. It showed me that nature doesn’t rush, and neither should we. Sometimes the clouds don’t break, the light isn’t perfect, or the weather turns — but even then, there’s beauty to be found if you're open to it.
Living in Europe was an unforgettable chapter of my life. The freedom to hop on a train or take a short flight and suddenly be immersed in an entirely new culture, language, and landscape was a gift I never took for granted. If I had the chance to do it all again — wake up early to catch the morning mist in the Black Forest, hike through alpine trails in Switzerland, or photograph the sun setting behind an ancient Italian hill town — I would, in a heartbeat.
Landscape photography was my first love, and Europe was where that love deepened into something enduring. It shaped how I see the world and continues to inspire the way I shoot today. Wherever I go, I carry those landscapes with me — not just in photographs, but in memory, in spirit, and in gratitude.
Grace Margritz Photography | Colorado Springs Senior Photographer
