Chasing the Stars: My Journey to Becoming an Astrophotographer

Finding healing in the unseen light of the universe that God has created

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that God would guide me to capture images like the ones above or the ones I will share throughout this writing. My journey into night sky photography wasn’t carefully planned—it was a redirection born out of life’s unexpected turns and God’s faithful provision.

Up until that point, I had built a respectable career in photography. But when my third son was born, everything changed. He was diagnosed with hemophilia, a condition that prevents the blood from clotting properly.

The constant care and vigilance required to protect him were overwhelming. The career I had poured myself into had to be set aside, and I felt as if I had lost a part of myself. I questioned my purpose and struggled with the fear of failure. How would I move forward?

Amid that season of uncertainty, God planted a seed of inspiration in my heart. What if I pursued photography at night, when my family was safe in their beds? It was a simple thought, but it came to me like a whisper from above—a calling to create, even in the darkness.

I found a secondhand telescope at a yard sale, and so began the humbling process of learning astrophotography. There were so many moments of trial and error, of frustration and perseverance. I didn’t understand how to track celestial objects as the earth rotated. I didn’t know the techniques or the equipment. Yet through it all, I felt God’s hand guiding me, reminding me that growth comes through persistence and faith. The Bible speaks of endurance producing character (Romans 5:3-4), and I held tightly to that truth.

The first image I captured was of Pleiades, the Seven Sisters. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a small victory—a glimmer of what could be. I knew I had more to learn, so I dove deeper, armed with determination and grace.

Months later, with new knowledge and techniques, I revisited the same constellation. This time, the results were extraordinary. It felt as though I had unlocked a new level, a gift that God had allowed me to discover. The sky was no longer the limit; rather, it became an endless canvas of His glory.

Astrophotography has since become a source of healing and wonder for me. Life failures of my own doing had knocked me down. There was a time during my journey when I felt so lost that I could never undo my mistakes, and ending it all would be the best option for me. However, in that turbulence, God revealed something beautiful to me. He showed me that there is always light to be found, even in the darkest of moments.

Through my lens, I’ve captured comets blazing through the heavens, nebulae glowing with divine artistry, and galaxies whispering of eternity. Each image is a reminder of how God takes our brokenness and transforms it into something breathtaking. The vastness of the universe, with its light traveling across millions of years, feels like a sacred glimpse into God’s majesty and His eternal perspective. His work, which I have captured, has brought me a lot of media attention over the years, but that is no longer my goal or focus.

This journey has taught me to see life through a lens of faith. Even in our darkest seasons, when we feel lost or defeated, God is working to bring light and purpose. My failures, my struggles, and my doubts were not the end of my story—they were the beginning of a deeper reliance on Him. The light I capture through astrophotography feels like a reflection of His promise to bring hope, healing, and renewal.

I love to find the unexpected, like galaxies and nebulas. There are so many in all shapes and sizes. They all have wonderful, fun names. Some are very dim, and some are very bright, and with a well-trained eye, there is always the possibility of discovering something new.

The beauty of our universe starts to unfold as I learn of new targets to track down, and as the sky changes each season, I am always finding something new. The idea that blows my mind with these deep space targets is that they are hundreds or thousands of lightyears away.

If we break this idea down, the light I am capturing on my camera sensors is light that once existed millions of years ago and could potentially no longer be in existence. So, in a way, I feel like a time traveler looking back in time and capturing light that is no more, but I am also reminded that God’s light is eternal.

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you. As I continue to explore the heavens and dive deeper into the night sky, I’ll share more of the images that have bring me closer to our Creator. My hope is that they inspire you to see His hand in your own story, even amidst life’s challenges.

Keep looking up.