A Year in Light: My Favorite Light Paintings of 2025

As today marks the close of 2025, I always like to pause, look back on what unfolded, and share a few thoughts on where things are heading next.

This year was full of travel, experimentation, and some of my favorite light painting photography I’ve ever created.

California Coast & Fortress Skeletons

At the beginning of the year, my family and I took several trips along the Central Coast of California before my son started his first year of school in September (TK).

During one of those trips, the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur was closed for major road repairs - and that gave me a rare opportunity to finally capture an image I had been dreaming about for years: colorful skeletons beneath the Rain Rocks shed in Big Sur.

Normally this is a fairly busy stretch of road - definitely not a place where you can set up a 7-minute long-exposure without a car ruining the shot. But because the highway was closed just north of the tunnel, and it was after midnight, I knew this was my chance to take a shot in the dark.

On the same trip, I also added another image to my Cars Collection - a subject I had tried and failed to capture many times before. In January 2025, I finally nailed it: the iconic Surf Van.

Snow on the Oregon Coast

In February, our family traveled much farther north to the central coast of Oregon, where I saw something I’d never experienced before - snow on the beach.

Of course, I had to mark the moment with my signature light-painted skeletons on a snowy shoreline. It was windy, damp, and absolutely freezing… but unforgettable.

During that same trip, I also added a Blue Orca to my One Line Collection, created by walking barefoot into the near-freezing Pacific Ocean at low tide on the Oregon coast in winter.

That Oregon adventure was defined by cold discomfort mixed with breathtaking beauty.

Crab Cooker & Late-Night Light Painting

Once we returned to the milder temperatures of coastal California, I felt inspired to spend more time creating at night. That led me to produce a short animated story about a wizard who catches a crab for dinner and shares it with his witch wife.

Crab Cooker became my February 2025 animated light painting project.

Maldives: A Dream in Light

March was one for the record books. Our little family took the longest flights of our lives to the Maldives and spent nine magical nights at Cora Cora Resort, where I created a series of light paintings along the island shores.

Taking a seaplane to the island was a highlight, so of course I had to mark the moment with light.

We spent our days snorkeling reefs, watching spectacular sunsets, dancing to live music, and eating incredible meals filled with fresh fruit, seafood, and multicultural flavors.

Some of my favorite Maldives light paintings include:

1. Maldives Sunrise Band
2. Burning Sunset Lovers
3. Four Surfers
4. Blue Manta Ray
5. Reef Shark
6. Pink Dolphin

Celebrity Ascent Cruise

In April, our family boarded the Celebrity Ascent for a week-long cruise. We explored the white sand beaches of the Cayman Islands, swam in cenotes in Mexico, and watched sunsets from the stern of the ship.

After dark, I set out to “haunt” the ship with light. The vibe onboard was relaxed and dreamy, so I created a series of light paintings inspired by that atmosphere.

Kauai & Animated Friends

In May, we celebrated my parents’ anniversary on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. While there, I created a short animated project featuring Pineapple and Coconut friends - a playful, tropical-inspired piece.

Nikon Z5II Collaboration

June brought a major collaboration with Nikon, where I created a tutorial video and a collection of light painting images using their new Z5II full-frame mirrorless camera.

Redwoods, Wizards & Goblin Kings

In July, I spent time in the Redwoods, creating light paintings inspired by the forest’s magical atmosphere. Ghosts, mushrooms, fairies, and gnomes felt right at home there.

Later in July and into August, I captured some of my favorite work of the year — including tributes to two of my favorite films:

• The Wizard of Oz
• David Bowie as the Goblin King in The Labyrinth

After those multi-character creations, I pushed into something darker in October with a spooky take on the Scooby-Doo crew.

Santa Monica Collaboration

In November, I had a rare chance to reunite with longtime friend and fellow light painter Roy Wang. We collaborated on the beach in Santa Monica just after Thanksgiving - a truly special night of shared creativity.

Christmas & a Bright Goodbye to 2025

December, as expected, was filled with festive Christmas light paintings.

To close out the year, I partnered with Instagram @Design to create a short animated celebration of 2025 turning into 2026 - something colorful, slightly ominous, but ultimately bright and hopeful.

Looking Ahead

As we move into January 2026, I’ll be focusing on what I love most:
animated multi-color light paintings, short films, and a major update to my light-painting tool, Night-Writer.

I wish you all health, happiness, and inspiration in the year ahead.
Be kind to one another, do your best, and keep going.

With love and light,
your friend — DARIUSTWIN