Talking to the Moon

My Experience Capturing the 2025 Lunar Eclipse

There’s something special about witnessing an eclipse. Whether the grandeur of the sun being overtaken by the moon or the quiet elegance of the Earth's shadow stretching across the lunar surface, both experiences leave you in awe.

In April 2024, I traveled across state lines to witness my first total solar eclipse. I chased clear skies, making last-minute detours just to find them. Fast forward to April 2025, and the experience was quite different. No cross-country trip or last-minute adjustments. 

This is a reflection on capturing the lunar eclipse, what it took to prepare, the challenges I faced, and why I believe moments like these are always worth chasing.

Closer to Home

Unlike last year, there was no frantic road trip, no scrambling for a last-minute spot. This time, the lunar eclipse came to me. I traveled with friends to a nearby state park. Instead of standing in a parking lot in the middle of the day, I view the night sky from a campground less than thirty minutes from my house. 

A much more relaxed experience. No crowded highways. There was no rushing against the clock – just patience and presence.

As the night went on, the Earth’s shadow crept in, darkening the moon piece by piece until it turned a crimson, burnt red. Unlike the solar eclipse, the totality here lasted over an hour. I had the luxury of time. Time to observe, time to adjust, and time to appreciate.

No drama. No urgency. Just a steady transformation that demanded nothing but attention.

The Challenge of Simplicity

Even though this was a much more relaxed experience, there were still challenges. Similar to last year, the weather posed a problem.

The forecast leading up to the eclipse wasn’t promising. Heavy clouds threatened to block the view, and I spent days watching radar updates. I planned to drive south if it appeared we would not have clear skies, but luckily, it was unnecessary.

The next challenge would be a familiar one – framing. 

Creative framing options were limited, with the moon sitting high in the sky. There were no silhouettes or dramatic landscapes to anchor the shot—just the moon, glowing in isolation.

Sometimes, simplicity is its own kind of challenge. But it also forces you to focus on the essentials. The light. The shadow. 

Lessons in Patience

If the solar eclipse taught me urgency, this lunar eclipse was a lesson in patience. There’s no need to race against the clock with a lunar eclipse. It’s a slow, continuous change from a full moon to a sliver and, ultimately, a transition to the so-called “Blood Moon.”

It reminded me that not every experience needs to be about the chase. Some are about standing still and letting the moment come to you. Watching the shadow creep across the moon, I realized how rare it is to have that kind of time – to be fully present, without distraction, as something quietly remarkable unfolds.

It’s easy to overlook moments like these. To write them off as just another night sky event. But there’s something about witnessing an eclipse that feels grounding. It’s a reminder of scale, time, and the fact that we’re part of something much bigger. 

And in a world that moves fast, moments like these are worth slowing down for.

Be Present

This experience wasn’t about the perfect shot. It wasn’t about chasing the most dramatic moment. It was about being there and appreciating a moment that didn’t need to be chased.

Because sometimes, the best moments are the ones that find you.