As a kid, I wanted to be a lot of things. I was one of those kids who changed the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up” daily. Architect, firefighter, astronaut, journalist, dog trainer, National Geographic photographer, musician, nurse… the list goes on and on. I still crave new ways to grow, learn, and chase dreams as an adult. My resume, at this point, is chaos - qualified for nothing but so many arbitrary things at once. While it’d be nice to look like a grownup sometimes, I love it. Life stays exciting when you embrace new opportunities and experiences.

Some things were temporary interests, while others have stayed with me over the years; my passion for photography, a love for the star-scattered sky, and my belief the universe works on its own schedule. And if we’re open to it, amazing things can happen. As an adult, I still daydream about all the potential and possibilities. Most of the time, they come in the most unexpected ways, this one the chance to become a volunteer astronomer at The Headlands Dark Sky Park.

Eagle Nebula M16 captured at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, highlighting the pillars of creation and showcasing the star-forming region of the nebula.

A Sky Full of Memories: Stargazing in Northern Michigan

I’ve always had an unexplainable connection to the night sky. Growing up just outside of Wilderness State Park, I spent countless nights under the stars. My dad and I would point out constellations, and I’d lie on the trampoline watching the northern lights dance across the sky. My first memory of the northern lights - I was maybe 5 years old, playing flashlight tag in the dark when suddenly the sky lit up and began moving. I was actually afraid and ran inside to grab my dad. He explained what they were, and we watched the aurora until I fell asleep. That moment sparked my love for chasing the aurora and began my passionate journey into the night sky.

Northern lights (aurora borealis) dance over Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan on October 10th, 2024 during solar maximum 25.

Finding My Way to Astrophotography in Michigan

I started diving into photography around 2011/2012, and by 2015, I was ready to expand into night sky and astrophotography. I was fascinated by the idea of capturing the moon, the Milky Way, and the star-filled skies above. But there was one thing I was just waiting to capture: the northern lights. I started learning to read the space weather data and forecasts, and one night in August, it finally happened.

My heart raced the first time I saw the northern lights through my lens. The excitement was overwhelming, and my hands were shaky in anticipation. I had almost given up and gone home that night, but the sky burst open with displays of green and purple visible to the n naked eye. The photos themselves weren’t great - they’re a far cry from the images you see from me now. My camera and lens duo weren’t the best, let alone my astrophotography skills, but those images were perfect to me. Although most have been deleted, I still have that first image and am still proud of it. It was my first taste of northern lights photography, which formed into a weird obsession.

Comet NEOWISE streaks across the night sky above the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, captured in 2020 with a glowing tail and star-filled backdrop. — Comet NEOWISE streaks across the night sky above the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, captured in 2020 with a glowing tail and star-filled sky.

From Photographer to Astronomer: Becoming a Volunteer Astronomer at The Headlands International Dark Sky Park.

This past July, I had the opportunity to. Meet with a group of astronomers at the Headlands Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, Michigan. I had inquired before, rather forwardly, “What do I have to do to use the telescope?” She told me they were looking for new volunteers who would grow with the program, so I waited… and the email arrived. An invitation to set up a training session, and I was thrilled. Ten-year-old me in her bedroom with her tiny planetarium and telescope out the window was making her dreams come true. I imagined spending my nights at the Headlands, stargazing, searching for distant galaxies and nebulas, photographing deep space and all the things we cannot see.

As astro-tourism in Michigan continues to grow, The Headlands International Dark Sky Park has become a top destination for stargazers, aurora chasers, and lovers of the night sky. It’s a place that’s continued to pop up in my life, from cross country meets in high school, wedding photography, and attending workshops and seminars they host. It’s been a constant thread in various parts of my life journey. When I was invited to join the astronomy team, I couldn’t have been more excited to add it to the ways and be where I am now.

The Triangulum Galaxy (M33) photographed at The Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, Michigan, showcasing its spiral arms and star clusters against the dark sky.

A Life of “Yes”: Embracing Opportunities and Experiences

As winter settles in and the cold, cloudy days become more frequent, I impatiently wait for the next clear sky and to see the stars. Getting here has been a long, weird road, but I feel incredibly lucky. Life has a way of making dreams come true when we think they are long gone, and the universe has a beautiful way of reminding us that those dreams are still possible if we remain open and embrace them.

I try to live a life of “yes” - yes to new experiences, learning and growing, and all the life magic has to offer. When we believe in the wonder of the world around us, we start to recognize tiny opportunities are waiting just around the corner that we’d otherwise just pass by. So, don’t stop chasing your dreams - the world is full of potential and possibilities. You never know when the universe will offer a chance to cross off a bucket list item, chase a dream you thought was long gone, or try something new and scary yet exhilarating and beautiful. Stay curious and keep looking up; there’s a world of magical moments just waiting for all of us.