Yesterday, a National Geographic magazine photo editor, Kurt Mutchler said something during a presentation about an upcoming story that resonated with me. He said, “There is no substitute for time…powerful storytelling can slow people down.” I think this week’s series embodies that principle that if we, as storytellers, slow down and really soak in our surroundings, we can make our best pictures.

This week, I felt a sense of magic in the images I chose in the series. The bold patterns, textures, and use of light created a sense of whimsy and intrigue that let the viewer stop for one more second to take it in, like the first deep breath walking outside on a crisp autumn morning.