Symphony of Stillness – Palace of Fine Arts at Dawn

Symphony of Stillness — First Place at the San Mateo County Fair

By Sarah Parsons

I’m honored to share that my photograph Symphony of Stillness received First Place at the 2025 San Mateo County Fair in the Fine Art Photography division. This image holds deep meaning for me — not only for the quiet moment it captures, but for what it represents in my creative journey.

The photo was taken early one morning in San Francisco. The Palace of Fine Arts stood in complete stillness, perfectly mirrored in the water below. The air was still, the light was soft, and the city hadn’t yet stirred. It was a moment of peace and perfection that I was grateful to witness and preserve through my lens.

What made this image even more meaningful is that I wrote a poem to accompany it — my emotional response to that place and time. The combination of photography and poetry became Symphony of Stillness.

At the fair, the framed photo was displayed alongside the printed poem and the First Place ribbon. Standing beside it all was surreal. For me, this wasn’t just a contest entry — it was a deeply personal piece that reflects the quiet beauty I strive to share in my work.

Poem: Symphony of Stillnessby Sarah ParsonsBeneath a sky of morning blue,Where light awakens form and hue,The palace stands in poised embrace—A monument to time and grace.Reflected in the water’s glass,Each column sings of moments past.Soft ripples stir, as blackbirds glide,Their quiet song the morning’s guide.The world begins, but here remainsA hush, like notes in soft refrains.Where shadows stretch and sunlight plays,This silence hums with golden praise.

Symphony of Stillness is now available as an open edition print through my online shop. You can choose your preferred size and medium — from fine art paper to canvas or metal — and each print is produced by a professional lab to ensure museum-quality results.

If this image speaks to you the way it spoke to the judges, you can easily make it yours.

→ Click here to view the image in my gallery

→ Browse the full fine art collection.

Thank you again to the San Mateo County Fair for the honor — and to all of you who continue to support my work.

– Sarah Parsons