Iceland 2018

On a warm June afternoon in 2017, my 93-year-old mother quietly died. I had spent days at her side knowing the inevitable would arrive shortly. The sun was lighting her face that morning and she was calm and beautiful. By afternoon she was gone. Alone, I walked through the vineyards as the sun set behind the hills we called home. That evening my sisters and I toasted our mom with a bottle of Rosé, aptly named, “Whispering Angel”.

My son’s voice echoes in my ear to this day. “Mom - let’s go to Iceland”. The one-year anniversary of losing my mother was upon me and he was extending a hand of comfort and a way out of grieving.

Traveling with my adult son seemed in part a dream. With my wife’s encouragement, and ultimate sacrifice, as she had long had Iceland on her to do list, I hit the buy button.

Though a short 12-day trip by many traveler’s standard, it felt like an eternity of unknowns as my departure date grew closer. Suddenly, as day 12 of our trip was upon us, and we neared our returning point, the eternity vanished, and it felt like I had just begun.

These images are far more than Icelandic Photographs to me. So many skilled photographers travel to this place. I thank them for their inspiration as I prepared to travel to this land. Little did I know how profoundly affected I would be, and how grateful for the stirring of creativity this journey gave to me.

And cheers to you Bradley Earle Basham. I am one lucky mom.