ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
ROCK CLIMBING
I don't pretend to be Jimmy Chin or Corey Rich, but I do share a passion for photographing rock climbers. In 2018, having been inspired by those two superstars, I set out to create opportunities for myself to get closer to climbing. In doing so, I had the good fortune to capture memorable moments of climbers attempting ‘sends’ on routes across Yosemite, Smith Rock, and others in Southern California.
The sport has quickly grown on me over the past couple of years and I’ve come to really enjoy photographing it. The challenge I appreciate about it is the need to find a compelling point of view quickly on every outing and having to anticipate the climber’s every move up the route.
Akin to climbing's steady and methodical process, so is image-making. I imagine it’s also somewhat similar to wildlife photography in that it requires patience, poise, anticipation, and a little luck within a narrow window of time.
Rock climbing photography is a niche that I'm enthralled with because it takes me to breath-taking locations, and challenges me creatively. A nice bonus is getting to meet the varied and always friendly personalities of the climbing community along the way. It also presents a chance to create a range of images that include everything from vast wide shots that show immense scale, down to the intricate textures and colors of climbing gear and the chalk on calloused hands.
Without a doubt, I’m compelled to photograph rock climbing because it succinctly defines a major part of my passion as a creator–working with inspiring people in inspiring places.
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