Back in 2014, I was fortunate to attend an ATD event in the heart of our nation’s capital. One evening, after the conference activities for the day concluded, I ventured over to the National Mall. However, I encountered substantial crowds, which made it challenging to capture unobstructed shots. Determined to secure better opportunities, I woke up around 3:30 am the following morning, aiming to engage in photography before the conference resumed. During that early hour, the surroundings were serene and with only a few individuals around making it far easier to get clear shots without people in them.