We are in a time of endings and new beginnings. As 2022 draws to a close, we can reflect back on how this rotation around the sun shaped up. And as we look ahead, into the horizon of 2023, we can get excited about what’s to come and set new goals for ourselves. We’ve been chatting a lot about the sun as a metaphor - sunsets signifying the end of something, closure. While the sunrise marks the new and fresh, the promise of what’s to come. To celebrate the close of the year, and the start of a new one, we’ve gathered some of our favorite sunrise and sunset photos posted on Instagram this year. And we’d like to challenge you to take a moment, reflect on all you’ve accomplished this year, and celebrate yourself. Thanks for spending some of your precious time in 2022 in the Sony Alpha Universe! 

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To celebrate the close of the year, and the start of a new one, we’ve gathered some of our favorite sunrise and sunset photos posted on Instagram this year.

Gina Danza – @wildgina

Gina Danza is a nature photographer, visual storyteller, and member of the Alpha Collective. She takes an approach to photography that includes connecting with nature and getting in touch with her emotional side, something that is reflected through her imagery and makes it stand out. Give her account a follow for more storytelling within intimate moments of nature. She took this beautiful image below with her Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 

Stan Moniz – @stanmoniz

Stan Moniz is a cinematographer, time-lapser, storyteller, and member of the Alpha Collective. His Instagram feed is full of seascapes, nightscapes, and other breathtaking images that will have you ready to pack a bag and head out on your next adventure. We love this image of a sunset framed by a wave. What an epic capture! Moniz shares some wisdom in the caption as well, stating that it “goes to show if you keep motivated and chase what you love, any vision can become a reality.” 

Jess Santos – @missjessbess

Alpha Collective member Jess Santos specializes in astrophotography but also has a knack for making breathtaking landscapes. We love how she described the image below in her caption stating “There are very few times I get this lucky. The sky was on absolute fire in 360 degrees” The image below was taken with the Sony Alpha 7R IV paired with the Sony 14mm GM. Check our Santos’ Instagram for more images that have an otherworldly feel. 

Rachel Jones Ross – @rachel_jones_ross

Rachel Jones Ross is a landscape and astrophotographer based in the Canadian Rockies. The Alpha Collective member has a ton of experience hiking out into the mountains to capture spectacular images of the terrain and surrounding landscape. She described this scene as the “most incredible light I think I’ve ever seen in my life.” And she captured it perfectly! Using her Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G, we love how the last remaining bits of sunlight are shining through the top of the mountain! 

Allison Anderson – @photoallison

Allison Anderson is a travel and lifestyle photographer, vlogger and member of the Alpha Collective. She creates and shares photos and videos of her travels to beautiful places with beautiful views. Her work mainly focuses on solo travel and encourages her viewers to book the trip, join the club, or do whatever they need to do to increase the saturation of your entire life. She took these images in Austin, Texas with her Sony Alpha 7S III and the Sony 16-35mm f/4 G PZ lens.

Vince Lim – @vincelimphoto

Vince Lim is ​​a Hawaii-based landscape, travel and lifestyle photographer and member of the Alpha Collective. He was born and raised on the islands and spends most of his time enjoying the beautiful scenery Hawaii has to offer. As you scroll through his Instagram account you’ll see the deep blues of the ocean, the lush greens of the mountains, and the vibrant varying colors of the islands’ sunrises and sunsets. His imagery has been featured in various publications, including National Geographic Traveler and Digital Photo Magazine and you can follow him to see more of his work. 

Jen Guyton - @JenGuyton

Jen Guyton is a wildlife and conservation photographer. She is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) and an explorer with the National Geographic Society. She is currently on assignment for National Geographic and she made this stunning image of the sunset. The hot air balloons look like something out of a movie! Check out her feed for more great captures and conservation stories! 

Marcus Westberg – @marcuswestbergphotography

Marcus Westberg is a Swedish nature and wildlife photographer as well as a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). Westberg travels throughout Europe and Africa telling stories of the natural world and people working to protect it. The image below was taken at the Aral Sea, as part of a conservation story that was published in Washington Post Magazine. Check out Westbergs work and be sure to follow him on Instagram!

Claudio Bordin - @claudio__bordin

Claudio Bordin is a landscape and nature photographer as well as a nature guide. He has combined his love of mountaineering, adventure and photography to share stories of the natural world with others. We love the composition in the shot below, the sun just peaking through the palm tree. Hear more about his work and what gear he takes with him on adventures HERE. 

Prasanna Pilaka - @prasannapilakaphotography

Prasanna Pilaka is a San Francisco, California based Landscape and Street photographer. She lives in the heart of San Francisco city and never misses a moment to capture the beauty of the city during sunrises, sunsets and blue hour. We love the image below, it isolates the subject while still allowing the city to be recognizable in the background. And of course, the glorious light from the sunset is wonderful.