When I first heard about The Heavens Declare exhibit at the Museum of Western Art, I knew it would be meaningful to me in how I view The West.

As a photographer and a storyteller, I always look for the drama in the sky, the clouds or the verticality of the subject. In 2003, we took a family trip to Yellowstone — my first time. Our kids were five and 13. They were mildly interested, yet I felt like a little kid because of the awe of the sky and the majesty of the landscape. However, as we made our way east into Wyoming, I found myself captivated by the skies — the big skies. I had dabbled in video and photography for three years before that trip, but it was at that moment I knew photography hooked me.

And while the mountains call some, I found myself drawn to the expanse of the plains. Five years later, we made another trip east through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Utah. In every place, the sky dominated my photos — the always present force framing my work.

Now that we call Texas home, our skies are equally fierce. I can say, most reverently, that I take great pleasure in stepping out into my backyard and never being bored by a Hill Country sunset.

The beauty of the MOWA exhibit is its powerful reminder of the grandeur of our natural world. It inspired me to sift through some of my photographic works over the last decade and share them with you.