PHOTOGRAPHY

Enchanted in a Forest of Lights

A magical sensory experience

When my daughters were younger, we would cozy up with hot chocolate in the car searching for new Christmas light displays. Since we have seen all there is to see with the same houses around my area, we started venturing out to find new areas.

The holidays are all about being with family and creating memories. Traditions are great but we can always create new ones or just decide to try something new in the spur of the moment.

I’ve had my eye on Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles for quite some time now. I’ve wanted to go wander the gardens, but I have yet to justify the 1.5-hour drive there, just for a garden.

But, since I got my new camera, it has made me want to get out and enjoy life more, not worrying about time spent in the car to make those memories.

The Enchanted Forest of Lights display runs during the holidays but isn’t Christmas-themed. It turned out to be even better than any light display we’ve seen while driving around.

We got there right at dusk to see the magical lights transform the gardens.

The mile-long walk through the most enchanting forest lit up right before our eyes.

The instrumental music played, and we danced through the mazes. The interactive displays created a feeling of wonder. There were times in between taking pictures that I just stood there listening and watching. The children running around made nostalgically smile and reminisce.

I began having fun with night photography when I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it. I was under the false belief that I needed more light to show off something interesting like these paper lanterns and a very dim river through the forest.

This is Mulberry Pond — illuminated and enlightened. I sat there forever staring and taking photos. My family left me there, but I noticed someone dancing on a stage as I went looking.

She dances on the stage with the light of the moon and of course, the strobe.

Around each bend, there was a new installment, each seeming to be cooler and more vibrant than the last. Either that, or we just appreciated each one differently.

I got lost through the paper lanterns but I think it was on purpose because I saw a bridge. I have a thing for bridges.

The 1.5 mile long loop around the gardens was over but we were so enchanted with the tulips that we had to walk through one more time.

I hope you enjoyed my walk through Descanso Gardens. The Enchanted Forest of Lights creates a beautiful, breathtaking atmosphere for the senses.