Vincent Schnabl: Frozen Cosmos

Winters in Canada can get cold, really cold. Where I live we will get periods where the temps hit -30 to -40 degrees Celsius. If you're willing to brave the cold it can make for some incredibly beautiful landscapes.

I arrived at this local lake just as the sun was starting to set. I had come here with the intention of shooting the sunset. Bundled up in four layers of warm clothing I gingerly walked around the partially frozen lake in search of a good composition. I watched a pair of swans nearby relaxing by a stream, seemingly unfussed by what I was doing. I could see a couple in the distance ice-skating, hand in hand, making the most of the cold weather. The sunset ended up being a bust, so I decided to stick around and wait for it to get dark. The frosty air burned my nose as I sat and waited, enjoying the peace and quiet around me. Moments like this don't happen often and I like to cherish them whenever I can. Even though I felt very uncomfortable in the cold, I felt even more gratitude for the beauty it had brought with it.

This piece reminds me to always stay resilient. Just like the swans I watched surviving out in nature, we too have to withstand the elements. No matter what life throws our way. We can overcome any obstacle, big or small.

This image was photographed by Vincent Schnabl.

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