01 Frozen Glow | January Magic Switzerland Calendar

Jan 30

Written By Rafael Castelo Branco da Silva

Frozen Glow …
Some image are pauses in time — moments where memory, emotion, and place quietly meet.

This image is one of those moments for me.

This image was captured on January 1st, 2025 — a date that has been deeply personal to me for many years. It is my brother’s birthday. Since he passed away in 2012, this day has become a quiet ritual of reflection. Each year, I take a journey — often alone — to think about life, and everything that continues to shape who I am.

This year, that journey felt especially meaningful.

It was the first time I photographed snowy winter landscapes again after moving back to Switzerland after living in Portugal for almost 4 years.
Winter photography is something I truly missed — the stillness, the cold air, the way light slowly unfolds across frozen terrain. It was also my first visit to Arnisee, a place I had always the wish of visiting it for many years.

At the same time, life was gently moving forward. My wife and I had just discovered that we are expecting a little princess, to be born in the summer of 2025. Holding that quiet joy while honoring a day tied to loss made this experience feel incredibly profound.

The photograph was taken during a frosty winter sunset at Arnisee, located in the canton of Uri. The idea for the trip came spontaneously during breakfast at home. Without much hesitation, we packed our gear and set off. After about one to one and a half hours of driving, we reached the village and boarded the gondola up to the lake.

Walking around Arnisee, we were surrounded by frozen mountains glowing in soft, warm light. The atmosphere was calm and almost timeless. At one point, a particular composition caught my attention. I stopped, settled in, and waited — allowing the moment to unfold naturally as the warm light slowly illuminated the peaks. It was a moment of pure joy.

Gear Used

Camera: Canon EOS R

Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm

Filters: CPL Filter by JaworskyjFilter

Exif’s: ISO 100 / 16mm / f 13 / 13”

As the day came to an end, nature offered one final, unforgettable gift. After dinner in the mountain hut, I stepped outside and noticed the sky — the Northern Lights were still faintly active, as they were kinda great / intense 2 days before.
The mountains and sky were painted in subtle purple hues, a sight I never expected to witness, especially on such a meaningful date.

This day was a quiet blend of reflection, gratitude, loss, and new beginnings.
A reminder of why I photograph — to preserve moments that go beyond what can be seen.

Below, you’ll find a few more images captured during this journey.