When I arrived in Canada in February, everyone warned me about the snow, cold, and winter. I was too excited about my new city to care. Between English classes and adapting to everything else, the snow barely registered.

Then came winter 2020. Lockdown and isolation pushed me deep into my emotions. I decided to explore my relationship with snow—without the fear others tried to pass on to me.

The first big storm of 2020 hit in early December. I'd seen snow before, but this was the first time I photographed it right after snowfall. What captivated me: the shiny frost, the individual snowflakes. I took these around 5:30 pm.

The white of snow is simply magical. I don't find flakes or winter depressing. The white streets, roofs, tree branches, the foggy weather—it made me feel calm and introspective. These are from Christmas 2020.