Break Of Dawn

Location: Ridgway, CO

Fall in Colorado quickly became one of my favorite times to photograph early in my career. The golden aspens, the crisp mountain air, and those jagged peaks dusted with snow—it all feels like magic. This particular image had been living in my head for a long time. I knew the spot, I just needed the right moment to bring it to life.

When the forecast called for an overnight snowstorm, I loaded up my gear and headed into the mountains. The storm came in fast, blanketing the landscape in fresh snow. I barely slept. The wind whipped through the trees and rattled my van, but I was too excited to care.

Long before sunrise, I was moving—navigating in the dark, my headlamp bouncing off frost-covered ground. I made my way toward a winding river I had scouted weeks before, unsure of what I’d find. What I didn’t expect was a small beaver dam that had formed overnight, creating a perfect mirror-like pool in the water.

The scene was quiet and surreal. I crouched low to the water’s edge, balancing in a way only desperation and determination can create. One slip, and I’d be soaked. But the light was coming fast, and I had to act.

Just as the sun began to rise, it broke through the clouds and painted the peaks in golden light. I pressed the shutter—right as the reflection settled into stillness.

That moment became “Break of Dawn”—a peaceful, powerful reminder that some of the best things happen when we push through the storm and show up in the dark.

And yes—I got the shot. And no—I didn’t fall in.

Every piece from Riley Clark Fine Art ships free and fully insured within the United States. Each order is made to order, inspected by hand, and packaged with care to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.

• Fine Art Paper prints are carefully rolled with acid-free protective sheets, then secured inside heavy-duty, crush-resistant tubes to prevent creasing or bending during transit.

• Framed and Canvas prints are wrapped in multiple layers of protective foam and corner guards before being boxed in double-walled cartons for maximum safety.

• Metal prints are packaged using padded spacers and custom-fit materials to keep them secure. For larger metal pieces, custom-built wood crates are used to provide additional protection and ensure stability throughout shipment.
  

Every shipment is fully insured from the moment it leaves the studio until it arrives safely at your door. In the rare event that your artwork is damaged during shipping, I will replace it at no cost to you. No returns required, no hassle — just a genuine guarantee that your art will arrive exactly as intended.

Your artwork should reach you the same way it left the studio: protected, beautiful, and ready to display for years to come.

Each piece is made to order, handcrafted with care, and created using archival materials. Estimated arrival dates shown at checkout already include these production timelines.

• Production Time: 2–3 business days
• Printed on museum-grade materials and inspected for color and quality before shipping.

Every piece is made to order, inspected by hand, and packaged for safe delivery.

If your artwork arrives damaged or with a production flaw, I’ll replace or remake it at no cost.

Because each print is custom-made, returns aren’t accepted — however, exchanges for preference or sizing can often be arranged within 14 days.

Please reach out and I’ll do my best to accommodate.