Birthday Surprise

• Prize
  Silver in Nature/Macro
• Photographer
  Melissa Robertson
• Agency / Studio
  Melissa N. Robertson Photo
• Technical Info
  Canon Eos 5d Mark Iv With Canon Macro + Extension Lenses, F Stop- 4, Iso- 10,000
• Photo Date
  December 19, 2023

The winter was starting out warm and boring. When December 19, 2023, rolled around, I had yet to see a single snowflake fall or a decent frost. However, this morning began differently. It was my birthday, and nature knew it. This morning, I awoke to a beautiful display of frost covering the yard and surrounding surfaces. My favorite area to capture the frost in Missouri is on the car windows. I love seeing the frost stretch across the glass, building pieces to create artistic designs. It was the start of our winter and the best birthday present nature could give me.

I have enjoyed taking pictures all my life. In March 2018, I captured a real-life snowflake resembling a flower. I fell in love with it and began pursuing macro photography. My photographs became the illustrations in my book series, Washed as White as Snow. The snowflake designs tell different aspects of the story of Jesus Christ's good news for the world. I believe God creates and uses the snowflakes to magnify how all creation glorifies Him by telling the story of His redeeming love for mankind. I enjoy taking nature photos and sharing God's beauty in plants, animals, and landscapes.