My Life As an Adventure Filmmaker and Photographer (Part 2) | Nat Geo Live

like any budding photographer you know I

like any budding photographer you know I was of course I got National Geographic

was of course I got National Geographic

was of course I got National Geographic magazine that’s that’s sort of the

magazine that’s that’s sort of the

magazine that’s that’s sort of the standard in photography and I remember

standard in photography and I remember

standard in photography and I remember when this issue came into mail because

when this issue came into mail because

when this issue came into mail because it was a story called storming the tower

it was a story called storming the tower

it was a story called storming the tower and I you know I read the story and it

and I you know I read the story and it

and I you know I read the story and it was about four guys from Wyoming that

was about four guys from Wyoming that

was about four guys from Wyoming that went to Pakistan and they climbed this

went to Pakistan and they climbed this

went to Pakistan and they climbed this tower called the nameless tower and it

tower called the nameless tower and it

tower called the nameless tower and it was an epic adventure it was like two

was an epic adventure it was like two

was an epic adventure it was like two months and they kept getting like the

months and they kept getting like the

months and they kept getting like the weather was keeping them from completing

weather was keeping them from completing

weather was keeping them from completing this objective and there was like war

this objective and there was like war

this objective and there was like war and Pakistan and they were having to

and Pakistan and they were having to

and Pakistan and they were having to like argue with the government because

like argue with the government because

like argue with the government because their visa was way up and they just like

their visa was way up and they just like

their visa was way up and they just like pounded it get there was all these

pounded it get there was all these

pounded it get there was all these obstacles against all odds extremely

obstacles against all odds extremely

obstacles against all odds extremely difficult when they did the route and I

difficult when they did the route and I

difficult when they did the route and I remember reading it and being like that

remember reading it and being like that

remember reading it and being like that is a serious adventure like that’s like

is a serious adventure like that’s like

is a serious adventure like that’s like that’s incredible well in Colorado it

that’s incredible well in Colorado it

that’s incredible well in Colorado it wasn’t uncommon to see people rock

wasn’t uncommon to see people rock

wasn’t uncommon to see people rock climbing at different places and I had a

climbing at different places and I had a

climbing at different places and I had a couple friends that did it so I called

couple friends that did it so I called

couple friends that did it so I called up a buddy mine ISM was Ty and I told

up a buddy mine ISM was Ty and I told

up a buddy mine ISM was Ty and I told him about the story that I’d read and I

him about the story that I’d read and I

him about the story that I’d read and I asked him if he would take me out and he

asked him if he would take me out and he

asked him if he would take me out and he did so we went out climbing and for the

did so we went out climbing and for the

did so we went out climbing and for the next few years I just I fell in love

next few years I just I fell in love

next few years I just I fell in love right away and I got really into it and

right away and I got really into it and

right away and I got really into it and this now became this new reason to go on

this now became this new reason to go on

this now became this new reason to go on little weekend adventures right find a

little weekend adventures right find a

little weekend adventures right find a new climbing area and go go go with

new climbing area and go go go with

new climbing area and go go go with greeting new people and it was a new

greeting new people and it was a new

greeting new people and it was a new community of people as well well in 2003

community of people as well well in 2003

community of people as well well in 2003 September of 2003 I took a really bad

September of 2003 I took a really bad

September of 2003 I took a really bad fall I fell about thirty five feet of

fall I fell about thirty five feet of

fall I fell about thirty five feet of the way a limb which is hive and I

the way a limb which is hive and I

the way a limb which is hive and I landed on my side which is like a

landed on my side which is like a

landed on my side which is like a terrible place to land right and I broke

terrible place to land right and I broke

terrible place to land right and I broke my neck and I broke my pelvic bone I

my neck and I broke my pelvic bone I

my neck and I broke my pelvic bone I fractured my kidney in my liver I

fractured my kidney in my liver I

fractured my kidney in my liver I completely collapsed my right lung ribs

completely collapsed my right lung ribs

completely collapsed my right lung ribs I spent six days in ICU and it was a

I spent six days in ICU and it was a

I spent six days in ICU and it was a pretty serious accident and I swore off

pretty serious accident and I swore off

pretty serious accident and I swore off climbing right it didn’t take much I

climbing right it didn’t take much I

climbing right it didn’t take much I suspect that was enough I was like okay

suspect that was enough I was like okay

suspect that was enough I was like okay and in my in the defense of rock

and in my in the defense of rock

and in my in the defense of rock climbing I was climbing very recklessly

climbing I was climbing very recklessly

climbing I was climbing very recklessly I was placing gear poorly and when I

I was placing gear poorly and when I

I was placing gear poorly and when I fell it didn’t hold because I was

fell it didn’t hold because I was

fell it didn’t hold because I was rushing and I was overconfident well I

rushing and I was overconfident well I

rushing and I was overconfident well I was freelancing for a magazine outside

was freelancing for a magazine outside

was freelancing for a magazine outside of my job at hewlett-packard with the

of my job at hewlett-packard with the

of my job at hewlett-packard with the magazine called Wyoming homes and living

magazine called Wyoming homes and living

magazine called Wyoming homes and living I had a friend that worked there and I

I had a friend that worked there and I

I had a friend that worked there and I would get like two or three little

would get like two or three little

would get like two or three little assignments from them a year and about

assignments from them a year and about

assignments from them a year and about one of four months after the accident

one of four months after the accident

one of four months after the accident after I’d kind of healed up I got a

after I’d kind of healed up I got a

after I’d kind of healed up I got a phone call from one of the editors and

phone call from one of the editors and

phone call from one of the editors and they said we

they said we

they said we perfect story for you we want you to go

perfect story for you we want you to go

perfect story for you we want you to go to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and we want

to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and we want

to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and we want you to go climb the tower with this guy

you to go climb the tower with this guy

you to go climb the tower with this guy Frank Sanders and you’ll stay at his

Frank Sanders and you’ll stay at his

Frank Sanders and you’ll stay at his Lodge and it’ll be a travel piece which

Lodge and it’ll be a travel piece which

Lodge and it’ll be a travel piece which we’ll get we know you like to rock climb

we’ll get we know you like to rock climb

we’ll get we know you like to rock climb so we thought we thought of you right

so we thought we thought of you right

so we thought we thought of you right away

away

away so I told him what had happened I said

so I told him what had happened I said

so I told him what had happened I said well you know I recently had a bad

well you know I recently had a bad

well you know I recently had a bad accident but I wanted the assignment

accident but I wanted the assignment

accident but I wanted the assignment right I wanted the job and I wanted to

right I wanted the job and I wanted to

right I wanted the job and I wanted to be a photographer and this was my these

be a photographer and this was my these

be a photographer and this was my these were little vignettes in to what it was

were little vignettes in to what it was

were little vignettes in to what it was like to be a photographer so I said well

like to be a photographer so I said well

like to be a photographer so I said well I’ll tell you what can I get Frank’s

I’ll tell you what can I get Frank’s

I’ll tell you what can I get Frank’s number let me just call him and I’ll see

number let me just call him and I’ll see

number let me just call him and I’ll see what this is all about like what this

what this is all about like what this

what this is all about like what this jobs like and so I called Frank up and

jobs like and so I called Frank up and

jobs like and so I called Frank up and like a classic Wyoming guy told him my

like a classic Wyoming guy told him my

like a classic Wyoming guy told him my story about falling and he’s like look

story about falling and he’s like look

story about falling and he’s like look man you had a bad fall you got to get

man you had a bad fall you got to get

man you had a bad fall you got to get back on the horse he’s like you know you

back on the horse he’s like you know you

back on the horse he’s like you know you made mistakes you should come up here

made mistakes you should come up here

made mistakes you should come up here this is going to help you you know you

this is going to help you you know you

this is going to help you you know you need to overcome this and Frank I didn’t

need to overcome this and Frank I didn’t

need to overcome this and Frank I didn’t realize that he’s a legendary rock

realize that he’s a legendary rock

realize that he’s a legendary rock climber his fingerprints are all over

climber his fingerprints are all over

climber his fingerprints are all over the planet like he’s done first ascents

the planet like he’s done first ascents

the planet like he’s done first ascents everywhere and he’s really well known

everywhere and he’s really well known

everywhere and he’s really well known for his devils tower climbing but I

for his devils tower climbing but I

for his devils tower climbing but I didn’t know that at the time so he

didn’t know that at the time so he

didn’t know that at the time so he convinced me to come up so I did and and

convinced me to come up so I did and and

convinced me to come up so I did and and the way it worked was Frank took me took

the way it worked was Frank took me took

the way it worked was Frank took me took three of us up the tower he led the

three of us up the tower he led the

three of us up the tower he led the first pitch then I would come up behind

first pitch then I would come up behind

first pitch then I would come up behind him and then I would photograph the

him and then I would photograph the

him and then I would photograph the writer as she came up and she’d never

writer as she came up and she’d never

writer as she came up and she’d never Rock climbed before he was taking us up

Rock climbed before he was taking us up

Rock climbed before he was taking us up the easiest climb on the tower and she

the easiest climb on the tower and she

the easiest climb on the tower and she didn’t have the right climbing go me she

didn’t have the right climbing go me she

didn’t have the right climbing go me she had like a bicycle helmet on so it

had like a bicycle helmet on so it

had like a bicycle helmet on so it looked kind of weird and they would try

looked kind of weird and they would try

looked kind of weird and they would try and could go up I was like shooting him

and could go up I was like shooting him

and could go up I was like shooting him and it was like butt shots you know and

and it was like butt shots you know and

and it was like butt shots you know and so the pictures weren’t really that

so the pictures weren’t really that

so the pictures weren’t really that great but I saw the potential is I

great but I saw the potential is I

great but I saw the potential is I hadn’t looked at climbing released

hadn’t looked at climbing released

hadn’t looked at climbing released through my camera up to that point so

through my camera up to that point so

through my camera up to that point so when I got home I called up a friend of

when I got home I called up a friend of

when I got home I called up a friend of mine I called my friend Brian he was the

mine I called my friend Brian he was the

mine I called my friend Brian he was the best climber I knew and I said man I

best climber I knew and I said man I

best climber I knew and I said man I want to go out and shoot some climbing

want to go out and shoot some climbing

want to go out and shoot some climbing photos and I and I had an idea of what I

photos and I and I had an idea of what I

photos and I and I had an idea of what I wanted to shoot I said there’s this

wanted to shoot I said there’s this

wanted to shoot I said there’s this bridge just outside the town and

bridge just outside the town and

bridge just outside the town and somebody’s bolted like river rocks to

somebody’s bolted like river rocks to

somebody’s bolted like river rocks to The Bling

The Bling

The Bling actual rocks with the bottom of this

actual rocks with the bottom of this

actual rocks with the bottom of this bridge and he knew exactly what I was

bridge and he knew exactly what I was

bridge and he knew exactly what I was talking about and so we went down and we

talking about and so we went down and we

talking about and so we went down and we took a photo of it well he had just

took a photo of it well he had just

took a photo of it well he had just gotten sponsored by a shoe company he

gotten sponsored by a shoe company he

gotten sponsored by a shoe company he was pretty good climber and so of course

was pretty good climber and so of course

was pretty good climber and so of course I printed him off like a 13 by 19 like

I printed him off like a 13 by 19 like

I printed him off like a 13 by 19 like here you go man as he said hey can I

here you go man as he said hey can I

here you go man as he said hey can I send this to the shoe company and I was

send this to the shoe company and I was

send this to the shoe company and I was like yeah go right ahead here’s another

like yeah go right ahead here’s another

like yeah go right ahead here’s another one for you if you’re sending that you

one for you if you’re sending that you

one for you if you’re sending that you know it’s just

know it’s just

know it’s just system on/off so he sends it out in like

system on/off so he sends it out in like

system on/off so he sends it out in like a week later I get a phone call and he

a week later I get a phone call and he

a week later I get a phone call and he said hey we just got this picture from

said hey we just got this picture from

said hey we just got this picture from Brian a big picture that they said they

Brian a big picture that they said they

Brian a big picture that they said they said we love it can we can we buy it for

said we love it can we can we buy it for

said we love it can we can we buy it for a net and I was like yeah it’d be

a net and I was like yeah it’d be

a net and I was like yeah it’d be amazing and I think they gave me like

amazing and I think they gave me like

amazing and I think they gave me like 300 bucks yes amazing right so I was

300 bucks yes amazing right so I was

300 bucks yes amazing right so I was like we got to go out again you know and

like we got to go out again you know and

like we got to go out again you know and so he yells at a spot he’ll watch

so he yells at a spot he’ll watch

so he yells at a spot he’ll watch sponsorship as well so we went out and

sponsorship as well so we went out and

sponsorship as well so we went out and we took some pictures and he sent them

we took some pictures and he sent them

we took some pictures and he sent them off to these guys and they bought an ad

off to these guys and they bought an ad

off to these guys and they bought an ad but they actually didn’t pay me they

but they actually didn’t pay me they

but they actually didn’t pay me they sent me 30 watches as famous 30 watches

sent me 30 watches as famous 30 watches

sent me 30 watches as famous 30 watches yeah make my dad still has a couple as a

yeah make my dad still has a couple as a

yeah make my dad still has a couple as a classic I just gave them away like what

classic I just gave them away like what

classic I just gave them away like what are you doing three watches whatever

are you doing three watches whatever

are you doing three watches whatever school is like it printed you know and

school is like it printed you know and

school is like it printed you know and I’ve seen the magazine’s was like this

I’ve seen the magazine’s was like this

I’ve seen the magazine’s was like this is this is really cool and the success

is this is really cool and the success

is this is really cool and the success rates amazing so Brian says to me he’s

rates amazing so Brian says to me he’s

rates amazing so Brian says to me he’s like you gotta meet this guy Andy Rader

like you gotta meet this guy Andy Rader

like you gotta meet this guy Andy Rader he’s like this dude’s a real rock

he’s like this dude’s a real rock

he’s like this dude’s a real rock climber right and he really was he’s

climber right and he really was he’s

climber right and he really was he’s living out of his truck he’s a classic

living out of his truck he’s a classic

living out of his truck he’s a classic dirtbag like any climbing industry

dirtbag like any climbing industry

dirtbag like any climbing industry they’re called dirt bags right people

they’re called dirt bags right people

they’re called dirt bags right people that are just like they’re just they

that are just like they’re just they

that are just like they’re just they don’t care what they have to do for work

don’t care what they have to do for work

don’t care what they have to do for work they live out of the truck they climb

they live out of the truck they climb

they live out of the truck they climb all the time and so Andy was one of

all the time and so Andy was one of

all the time and so Andy was one of those guys and he’s amazing so I went

those guys and he’s amazing so I went

those guys and he’s amazing so I went out with Andy and we shot one day and

out with Andy and we shot one day and

out with Andy and we shot one day and you know it’s ten pictures I’m sure I

you know it’s ten pictures I’m sure I

you know it’s ten pictures I’m sure I gave him a 13 by 13 he said he sent the

gave him a 13 by 13 he said he sent the

gave him a 13 by 13 he said he sent the digital scans I had to a magazine and I

digital scans I had to a magazine and I

digital scans I had to a magazine and I got a phone call and they bought a cover

got a phone call and they bought a cover

got a phone call and they bought a cover and I was just blown away I was like

and I was just blown away I was like

and I was just blown away I was like this is amazing I can’t believe like

this is amazing I can’t believe like

this is amazing I can’t believe like this is going really well well the two

this is going really well well the two

this is going really well well the two months after I mean Andy and I stayed in

months after I mean Andy and I stayed in

months after I mean Andy and I stayed in touch we were really excited about the

touch we were really excited about the

touch we were really excited about the whole cover thing and about two months

whole cover thing and about two months

whole cover thing and about two months later he called me and he said hey man

later he called me and he said hey man

later he called me and he said hey man I’m going to Southwest Utah did this

I’m going to Southwest Utah did this

I’m going to Southwest Utah did this amazing crack it’s a place people have

amazing crack it’s a place people have

amazing crack it’s a place people have kind of forgotten about it’s called the

kind of forgotten about it’s called the

kind of forgotten about it’s called the Cathedral and it’s this gigantic

Cathedral and it’s this gigantic

Cathedral and it’s this gigantic amphitheater you got to take a week off

amphitheater you got to take a week off

amphitheater you got to take a week off work calm down we’ll shoot photos it’ll

work calm down we’ll shoot photos it’ll

work calm down we’ll shoot photos it’ll be a lot of fun so I was like I’m in so

be a lot of fun so I was like I’m in so

be a lot of fun so I was like I’m in so I showed up he sees big gigantic arch

I showed up he sees big gigantic arch

I showed up he sees big gigantic arch and up to this point the climbing photos

and up to this point the climbing photos

and up to this point the climbing photos of a shooting there I wasn’t on a rope I

of a shooting there I wasn’t on a rope I

of a shooting there I wasn’t on a rope I was finding places I could hike up to a

was finding places I could hike up to a

was finding places I could hike up to a little clever ways like leaning over

little clever ways like leaning over

little clever ways like leaning over rock whatever I had to do though it was

rock whatever I had to do though it was

rock whatever I had to do though it was still kind of traumatized from the

still kind of traumatized from the

still kind of traumatized from the accident so I show up and there’s this

accident so I show up and there’s this

accident so I show up and there’s this rope hanging down the center of the

rope hanging down the center of the

rope hanging down the center of the amphitheater and he’s like yeah man here

amphitheater and he’s like yeah man here

amphitheater and he’s like yeah man here it is and I hung that rope for you it

it is and I hung that rope for you it

it is and I hung that rope for you it almost this like Oh

almost this like Oh

almost this like Oh and he’s like abuse like I’ve got these

and he’s like abuse like I’ve got these

and he’s like abuse like I’ve got these little robust centers show you how to

little robust centers show you how to

little robust centers show you how to use them you can climb up you can go up

use them you can climb up you can go up

use them you can climb up you can go up the rope you’ll be right where the

the rope you’ll be right where the

the rope you’ll be right where the action is well I come this far you know

action is well I come this far you know

action is well I come this far you know it’s like a 10-hour Drive and I wanted

it’s like a 10-hour Drive and I wanted

it’s like a 10-hour Drive and I wanted the photos right and it did look

the photos right and it did look

the photos right and it did look incredible and I knew you got to be

incredible and I knew you got to be

incredible and I knew you got to be where the shots are right and so I just

where the shots are right and so I just

where the shots are right and so I just sort of like sacked up and one up and

sort of like sacked up and one up and

sort of like sacked up and one up and got in position and he was right right

got in position and he was right right

got in position and he was right right where he needed to be and it was

where he needed to be and it was

where he needed to be and it was incredible watching and he just such an

incredible watching and he just such an

incredible watching and he just such an amazing look at these holds and steep

amazing look at these holds and steep

amazing look at these holds and steep climbing and and so for the better part

climbing and and so for the better part

climbing and and so for the better part like for seven days we shot pictures and

like for seven days we shot pictures and

like for seven days we shot pictures and I just bought my first digital camera at

I just bought my first digital camera at

I just bought my first digital camera at that point so at the end of the day we

that point so at the end of the day we

that point so at the end of the day we were downloading him and looking at him

were downloading him and looking at him

were downloading him and looking at him and getting excited and so this picture

and getting excited and so this picture

and getting excited and so this picture here on the left it’s actually the same

here on the left it’s actually the same

here on the left it’s actually the same move on the right we shot this picture

move on the right we shot this picture

move on the right we shot this picture on the left one day and that night we’re

on the left one day and that night we’re

on the left one day and that night we’re looking at it and he’s like what if you

looking at it and he’s like what if you

looking at it and he’s like what if you would hire we started formulating plans

would hire we started formulating plans

would hire we started formulating plans and it was like wow this is kind of the

and it was like wow this is kind of the

and it was like wow this is kind of the power of digital and seeing things right

power of digital and seeing things right

power of digital and seeing things right away and so we went and we had this

away and so we went and we had this

away and so we went and we had this fantastic week shooting at this really

fantastic week shooting at this really

fantastic week shooting at this really really incredible place so at the end of

really incredible place so at the end of

really incredible place so at the end of it I left Andy with a bunch of low res

it I left Andy with a bunch of low res

it I left Andy with a bunch of low res files and he sent him out to his

files and he sent him out to his

files and he sent him out to his sponsors into magazines and I’ve got

sponsors into magazines and I’ve got

sponsors into magazines and I’ve got another cover story and I sold on that

another cover story and I sold on that

another cover story and I sold on that and I was just like this is amazing and

and I was just like this is amazing and

and I was just like this is amazing and so through Andy I started meeting other

so through Andy I started meeting other

so through Andy I started meeting other people and I this domino effect happened

people and I this domino effect happened

people and I this domino effect happened this is all in 2004 and throughout the

this is all in 2004 and throughout the

this is all in 2004 and throughout the rest of 2004 I started meeting new

rest of 2004 I started meeting new

rest of 2004 I started meeting new people because Colorado is full of rock

people because Colorado is full of rock

people because Colorado is full of rock climbers and I started getting into this

climbers and I started getting into this

climbers and I started getting into this really fun community I started meeting

really fun community I started meeting

really fun community I started meeting people and they had sponsors they were

people and they had sponsors they were

people and they had sponsors they were really good and I started submitting

really good and I started submitting

really good and I started submitting pictures and things started getting

pictures and things started getting

pictures and things started getting published and they’re just so there’s so

published and they’re just so there’s so

published and they’re just so there’s so many great characters and this is my

many great characters and this is my

many great characters and this is my friend Chuck I met Chuck we went in shot

friend Chuck I met Chuck we went in shot

friend Chuck I met Chuck we went in shot and they had connections at these

and they had connections at these

and they had connections at these magazines I was starting to get them but

magazines I was starting to get them but

magazines I was starting to get them but they were kind of like slightly known

they were kind of like slightly known

they were kind of like slightly known entities and throughout that whole year

entities and throughout that whole year

entities and throughout that whole year is going out and shooting and sending

is going out and shooting and sending

is going out and shooting and sending stuff in it was great so at the end of

stuff in it was great so at the end of

stuff in it was great so at the end of the year it was actually around November

the year it was actually around November

the year it was actually around November of 2004 I get a phone call from my boss

of 2004 I get a phone call from my boss

of 2004 I get a phone call from my boss and he said you know we’re all getting

and he said you know we’re all getting

and he said you know we’re all getting laid off basically the entire team and

laid off basically the entire team and

laid off basically the entire team and he explained that we’re all going to get

he explained that we’re all going to get

he explained that we’re all going to get a severance package and it was kind of a

a severance package and it was kind of a

a severance package and it was kind of a hard thing I remember there was people

hard thing I remember there was people

hard thing I remember there was people you know they had much more

you know they had much more

you know they had much more responsibilities than me with ik

responsibilities than me with ik

responsibilities than me with ik families and it was like tough phone

families and it was like tough phone

families and it was like tough phone call but he mentioned severance back you

call but he mentioned severance back you

call but he mentioned severance back you know look how much it

know look how much it

know look how much it they explained it was like four months

they explained it was like four months

they explained it was like four months pay or something and if you sign

pay or something and if you sign

pay or something and if you sign something they give you a little extra

something they give you a little extra

something they give you a little extra rounds like yeah I’m in it so the cool

rounds like yeah I’m in it so the cool

rounds like yeah I’m in it so the cool thing about hewlett-packard is a great

thing about hewlett-packard is a great

thing about hewlett-packard is a great place to work I really enjoyed it but

place to work I really enjoyed it but

place to work I really enjoyed it but all of a sudden I just had this really

all of a sudden I just had this really

all of a sudden I just had this really great year and I was having so much fun

great year and I was having so much fun

great year and I was having so much fun I said this is my opportunity I’m going

I said this is my opportunity I’m going

I said this is my opportunity I’m going to take this money now I’m going to make

to take this money now I’m going to make

to take this money now I’m going to make it work I had just bought a house

it work I had just bought a house

it work I had just bought a house probably five months before so I had

probably five months before so I had

probably five months before so I had responsibilities in my life and so I

responsibilities in my life and so I

responsibilities in my life and so I looked at the money it’s the first time

looked at the money it’s the first time

looked at the money it’s the first time I looked at money I was like this is

I looked at money I was like this is

I looked at money I was like this is time and I did the math and I said it

time and I did the math and I said it

time and I did the math and I said it was maybe like $20,000 or something I

was maybe like $20,000 or something I

was maybe like $20,000 or something I know you know I just looked at it as a

know you know I just looked at it as a

know you know I just looked at it as a road map I’ve got this much time I got

road map I’ve got this much time I got

road map I’ve got this much time I got to pay my bills

to pay my bills

to pay my bills and I got in my car and I was like I’m

and I got in my car and I was like I’m

and I got in my car and I was like I’m going wherever the climbers are so in

going wherever the climbers are so in

going wherever the climbers are so in the wintertime you know January 1st was

the wintertime you know January 1st was

the wintertime you know January 1st was when I got you know that was the

when I got you know that was the

when I got you know that was the official date we got two months notice

official date we got two months notice

official date we got two months notice and then I left so January 1 I went to

and then I left so January 1 I went to

and then I left so January 1 I went to Southwest you talk if that’s where

Southwest you talk if that’s where

Southwest you talk if that’s where everybody’s going and I moved in with

everybody’s going and I moved in with

everybody’s going and I moved in with this guy okay this is Joe Haines we call

this guy okay this is Joe Haines we call

this guy okay this is Joe Haines we call them Kentucky Joe and he and his wife

them Kentucky Joe and he and his wife

them Kentucky Joe and he and his wife they property managed like an apartment

they property managed like an apartment

they property managed like an apartment complex and so a lot of climbers would

complex and so a lot of climbers would

complex and so a lot of climbers would just say there this was in Mesquite

just say there this was in Mesquite

just say there this was in Mesquite Nevada and it’s really slow time of year

Nevada and it’s really slow time of year

Nevada and it’s really slow time of year in Mesquite Nevada in the wintertime so

in Mesquite Nevada in the wintertime so

in Mesquite Nevada in the wintertime so they had all these extra rooms and they

they had all these extra rooms and they

they had all these extra rooms and they would just let us stay for free and it

would just let us stay for free and it

would just let us stay for free and it was like free internet free place to

was like free internet free place to

was like free internet free place to stay so like all the dirtbags would just

stay so like all the dirtbags would just

stay so like all the dirtbags would just like go stick it’s like he chose and he

like go stick it’s like he chose and he

like go stick it’s like he chose and he was as crazy as he looked right like he

was as crazy as he looked right like he

was as crazy as he looked right like he would like hunt squirrels and and he

would like hunt squirrels and and he

would like hunt squirrels and and he would can stew and he’d bring this

would can stew and he’d bring this

would can stew and he’d bring this through to the crag and by he was the

through to the crag and by he was the

through to the crag and by he was the crazy person but he was salt of the

crazy person but he was salt of the

crazy person but he was salt of the earth man he had great stories and you

earth man he had great stories and you

earth man he had great stories and you either loved him or hated him right he

either loved him or hated him right he

either loved him or hated him right he was either a total pariah or he was like

was either a total pariah or he was like

was either a total pariah or he was like I like this guy and I liked him I

I like this guy and I liked him I

I like this guy and I liked him I connected with Joe because he’s a little

connected with Joe because he’s a little

connected with Joe because he’s a little crazy and I had knew a lot of crazy

crazy and I had knew a lot of crazy

crazy and I had knew a lot of crazy people growing up and so with all the

people growing up and so with all the

people growing up and so with all the dirt bags in one area it was so much fun

dirt bags in one area it was so much fun

dirt bags in one area it was so much fun right we’re all more or less unemployed

right we’re all more or less unemployed

right we’re all more or less unemployed and I was lucky I got an assignment

and I was lucky I got an assignment

and I was lucky I got an assignment pretty quickly my first assignment up to

pretty quickly my first assignment up to

pretty quickly my first assignment up to this point everything I was shooting was

this point everything I was shooting was

this point everything I was shooting was on spec which means I would shoot it

on spec which means I would shoot it

on spec which means I would shoot it send it in hope for the best

send it in hope for the best

send it in hope for the best well I got a phone call from climbing

well I got a phone call from climbing

well I got a phone call from climbing magazine and they said we want to do a

magazine and they said we want to do a

magazine and they said we want to do a profile on Andy Rader so this is Andy

profile on Andy Rader so this is Andy

profile on Andy Rader so this is Andy here so for like a month we went on

here so for like a month we went on

here so for like a month we went on every day and we shot pictures and one

every day and we shot pictures and one

every day and we shot pictures and one day we had like a really bad like it was

day we had like a really bad like it was

day we had like a really bad like it was like three days of bad weather

like three days of bad weather

like three days of bad weather chillie and during that time I said we

chillie and during that time I said we

chillie and during that time I said we should go out and shoot a portrait

should go out and shoot a portrait

should go out and shoot a portrait because all the skateboard magazines I

because all the skateboard magazines I

because all the skateboard magazines I grew up reading there was always like a

grew up reading there was always like a

grew up reading there was always like a portrait of the guy we should try and do

portrait of the guy we should try and do

portrait of the guy we should try and do that for climbing magazine so he went

that for climbing magazine so he went

that for climbing magazine so he went out to the desert where there’s all this

out to the desert where there’s all this

out to the desert where there’s all this like junk and garbage we started

like junk and garbage we started

like junk and garbage we started shooting these like silly portraits

shooting these like silly portraits

shooting these like silly portraits right we started like coming up with all

right we started like coming up with all

right we started like coming up with all these different scenarios and like

these different scenarios and like

these different scenarios and like shooting shooting all these weird things

shooting shooting all these weird things

shooting shooting all these weird things and finding stuff and it was we were

and finding stuff and it was we were

and finding stuff and it was we were just like laughing taking these pictures

just like laughing taking these pictures

just like laughing taking these pictures and these pictures become quite

and these pictures become quite

and these pictures become quite important to me but I’ll get to that in

important to me but I’ll get to that in

important to me but I’ll get to that in a minute so we had all this fun shooting

a minute so we had all this fun shooting

a minute so we had all this fun shooting them right and sent you know sending the

them right and sent you know sending the

them right and sent you know sending the ones that worked and we ran the story

ones that worked and we ran the story

ones that worked and we ran the story and everything and it was great and I

and everything and it was great and I

and everything and it was great and I kept meeting new people that were down

kept meeting new people that were down

kept meeting new people that were down in the area and I just started shooting

in the area and I just started shooting

in the area and I just started shooting with them and sending pictures in all

with them and sending pictures in all

with them and sending pictures in all the time and for that whole year 2005 it

the time and for that whole year 2005 it

the time and for that whole year 2005 it was like 2004 but this time I was off

was like 2004 but this time I was off

was like 2004 but this time I was off the leash and I had these like financial

the leash and I had these like financial

the leash and I had these like financial whips kind of cracking behind me because

whips kind of cracking behind me because

whips kind of cracking behind me because I had this mortgage that I was not even

I had this mortgage that I was not even

I had this mortgage that I was not even at the house anymore but I was just like

at the house anymore but I was just like

at the house anymore but I was just like you know I had to make it work hustling

you know I had to make it work hustling

you know I had to make it work hustling and it was one of the most fun carefree

and it was one of the most fun carefree

and it was one of the most fun carefree years of my life going around with

years of my life going around with

years of my life going around with climbers to places I’ve never been

climbers to places I’ve never been

climbers to places I’ve never been crag to crag to crag stories camping so

crag to crag to crag stories camping so

crag to crag to crag stories camping so much fun best year of my life maybe so

much fun best year of my life maybe so

much fun best year of my life maybe so at the end of 2005 things had done well

at the end of 2005 things had done well

at the end of 2005 things had done well and I said in my heart of hearts I was

and I said in my heart of hearts I was

and I said in my heart of hearts I was like I just I got to do whatever I can

like I just I got to do whatever I can

like I just I got to do whatever I can to make this happen

to make this happen

to make this happen keep going so I had a friend his name’s

keep going so I had a friend his name’s

keep going so I had a friend his name’s Dave black he’s a incredible

Dave black he’s a incredible

Dave black he’s a incredible photographer kind of a legend and he he

photographer kind of a legend and he he

photographer kind of a legend and he he lived in Colorado Springs and and I was

lived in Colorado Springs and and I was

lived in Colorado Springs and and I was lucky enough to befriend Dave in 2005

lucky enough to befriend Dave in 2005

lucky enough to befriend Dave in 2005 and he was always someone I could lean

and he was always someone I could lean

and he was always someone I could lean on for advice and he called me at the

on for advice and he called me at the

on for advice and he called me at the beginning of 2006 and he said hey I just

beginning of 2006 and he said hey I just

beginning of 2006 and he said hey I just got off the phone with a friend of mine

got off the phone with a friend of mine

got off the phone with a friend of mine at the New York Times and he has a story

at the New York Times and he has a story

at the New York Times and he has a story he wants to do in you ray Colorado it’s

he wants to do in you ray Colorado it’s

he wants to do in you ray Colorado it’s about ice climbing and I recommended you

about ice climbing and I recommended you

about ice climbing and I recommended you you know do you want to do the job and I

you know do you want to do the job and I

you know do you want to do the job and I was like man absolutely paid work like

was like man absolutely paid work like

was like man absolutely paid work like yes he’s like cool we’ll expect the call

yes he’s like cool we’ll expect the call

yes he’s like cool we’ll expect the call man the guy’s name is Brad Smith so

man the guy’s name is Brad Smith so

man the guy’s name is Brad Smith so about an hour later Pete on my little

about an hour later Pete on my little

about an hour later Pete on my little flip phone it says that the caller ID

flip phone it says that the caller ID

flip phone it says that the caller ID says 1 1 1 1 1 it’s all one’s was really

says 1 1 1 1 1 it’s all one’s was really

says 1 1 1 1 1 it’s all one’s was really weird like this is either collection

weird like this is either collection

weird like this is either collection agency or Brad I’m taking it you know as

agency or Brad I’m taking it you know as

agency or Brad I’m taking it you know as I took the call and it’s Brad Smith New

I took the call and it’s Brad Smith New

I took the call and it’s Brad Smith New York Times I was it go and I said hey

York Times I was it go and I said hey

York Times I was it go and I said hey how’s it going Brad and he said I just

how’s it going Brad and he said I just

how’s it going Brad and he said I just got the phone with Dave and me

got the phone with Dave and me

got the phone with Dave and me tell me that you were interested in

tell me that you were interested in

tell me that you were interested in doing this story I looked at your

doing this story I looked at your

doing this story I looked at your website and luckily I had a website way

website and luckily I had a website way

website and luckily I had a website way back then because that’s what I did for

back then because that’s what I did for

back then because that’s what I did for Hewlett Packard so it’s a little ahead

Hewlett Packard so it’s a little ahead

Hewlett Packard so it’s a little ahead of the curve I had a little online

of the curve I had a little online

of the curve I had a little online portfolio so I looked at your website

portfolio so I looked at your website

portfolio so I looked at your website and I liked your work I see a lot of

and I liked your work I see a lot of

and I liked your work I see a lot of climbing photos out there I want to do a

climbing photos out there I want to do a

climbing photos out there I want to do a nice climbing story do you shoot ice

nice climbing story do you shoot ice

nice climbing story do you shoot ice climbing and I was like yeah no of

climbing and I was like yeah no of

climbing and I was like yeah no of course as you guys got no problem of

course as you guys got no problem of

course as you guys got no problem of course and he’s like all right cool man

course and he’s like all right cool man

course and he’s like all right cool man and dave says you’re good and he said

and dave says you’re good and he said

and dave says you’re good and he said okay so the story is you are a Colorado

okay so the story is you are a Colorado

okay so the story is you are a Colorado it’s a small mountain town and it’s a

it’s a small mountain town and it’s a

it’s a small mountain town and it’s a mountain that doesn’t have a ski resort

mountain that doesn’t have a ski resort

mountain that doesn’t have a ski resort but what they do have is they have this

but what they do have is they have this

but what they do have is they have this box canyon that winds through the

box canyon that winds through the

box canyon that winds through the through the town and they’ve got hoses

through the town and they’ve got hoses

through the town and they’ve got hoses that they’ve lined along the entire top

that they’ve lined along the entire top

that they’ve lined along the entire top of it and they spray water down at night

of it and they spray water down at night

of it and they spray water down at night and it builds up ice formations and it’s

and it builds up ice formations and it’s

and it builds up ice formations and it’s the only ice park like it in the planet

the only ice park like it in the planet

the only ice park like it in the planet and what I’m interested in is that this

and what I’m interested in is that this

and what I’m interested in is that this little ice park brings in about five

little ice park brings in about five

little ice park brings in about five million dollars of additional revenue to

million dollars of additional revenue to

million dollars of additional revenue to the town every winter so it’s a really

the town every winter so it’s a really

the town every winter so it’s a really great economic stimulus so I think

great economic stimulus so I think

great economic stimulus so I think there’s a really cool story there and

there’s a really cool story there and

there’s a really cool story there and I’m like cool so he sent me a bunch of

I’m like cool so he sent me a bunch of

I’m like cool so he sent me a bunch of pictures he’s you know things he wanted

pictures he’s you know things he wanted

pictures he’s you know things he wanted to see and he said the week I’m going to

to see and he said the week I’m going to

to see and he said the week I’m going to send you down at the very end of it they

send you down at the very end of it they

send you down at the very end of it they do a video like an international

do a video like an international

do a video like an international climbing competition so there’ll be a

climbing competition so there’ll be a

climbing competition so there’ll be a lot of people there to take pictures of

lot of people there to take pictures of

lot of people there to take pictures of but I’m not really interested in the

but I’m not really interested in the

but I’m not really interested in the competition I’m more interested in the

competition I’m more interested in the

competition I’m more interested in the economics of this place but you’ll have

economics of this place but you’ll have

economics of this place but you’ll have plenty of people to work with them like

plenty of people to work with them like

plenty of people to work with them like great I’m on my way so I went down and

great I’m on my way so I went down and

great I’m on my way so I went down and you know and as soon as I showed up it

you know and as soon as I showed up it

you know and as soon as I showed up it was really a special place I was kind of

was really a special place I was kind of

was really a special place I was kind of blown away so one of the pictures Bryden

blown away so one of the pictures Bryden

blown away so one of the pictures Bryden sent was like I want you to go down I

sent was like I want you to go down I

sent was like I want you to go down I want you to shoot straight up I want to

want you to shoot straight up I want to

want you to shoot straight up I want to see what it looks like looking out of

see what it looks like looking out of

see what it looks like looking out of the canyon so I get down there I know

the canyon so I get down there I know

the canyon so I get down there I know how to rappel I get down I like I have

how to rappel I get down I like I have

how to rappel I get down I like I have no crampons on and I’m like slipping

no crampons on and I’m like slipping

no crampons on and I’m like slipping around the ocean like whoo it was crazy

around the ocean like whoo it was crazy

around the ocean like whoo it was crazy they get down to the bottom and thank

they get down to the bottom and thank

they get down to the bottom and thank God I had a helmet as I just had

God I had a helmet as I just had

God I had a helmet as I just had befriended some stranger who was getting

befriended some stranger who was getting

befriended some stranger who was getting ready to go down and asked him if I

ready to go down and asked him if I

ready to go down and asked him if I could shoot his photo and as soon as he

could shoot his photo and as soon as he

could shoot his photo and as soon as he starts rappelling tonight top of me he

starts rappelling tonight top of me he

starts rappelling tonight top of me he knocks like all this ice on I get hit in

knocks like all this ice on I get hit in

knocks like all this ice on I get hit in the neck and I’m just like oh my god

the neck and I’m just like oh my god

the neck and I’m just like oh my god this is definitely not like rock

this is definitely not like rock

this is definitely not like rock climbing and I’m slipping around I’m

climbing and I’m slipping around I’m

climbing and I’m slipping around I’m doing it so I take the pictures and at

doing it so I take the pictures and at

doing it so I take the pictures and at the end of the day I had to transmit all

the end of the day I had to transmit all

the end of the day I had to transmit all my pictures to Brad and I’d never worked

my pictures to Brad and I’d never worked

my pictures to Brad and I’d never worked for a newspaper in my life right and at

for a newspaper in my life right and at

for a newspaper in my life right and at the end of the day I ascended my SELEX

the end of the day I ascended my SELEX

the end of the day I ascended my SELEX and then he’s going to call and give me

and then he’s going to call and give me

and then he’s going to call and give me feedback

feedback

feedback so the end of the day one one on and run

so the end of the day one one on and run

so the end of the day one one on and run Brad Smith hey man love the pictures

Brad Smith hey man love the pictures

Brad Smith hey man love the pictures this worked tomorrow I want I want to

this worked tomorrow I want I want to

this worked tomorrow I want I want to see what people had to commute how did

see what people had to commute how did

see what people had to commute how did they get through the ice parks I’d go

they get through the ice parks I’d go

they get through the ice parks I’d go spend the day clock on clock shooting

spend the day clock on clock shooting

spend the day clock on clock shooting the way people kind of move around

the way people kind of move around

the way people kind of move around walking across ladders send the pictures

walking across ladders send the pictures

walking across ladders send the pictures in get a phone call that night get my

in get a phone call that night get my

in get a phone call that night get my marching orders for the next day alright

marching orders for the next day alright

marching orders for the next day alright I want you to shoot details it’s kind of

I want you to shoot details it’s kind of

I want you to shoot details it’s kind of a barbaric sport I want to see what it

a barbaric sport I want to see what it

a barbaric sport I want to see what it looks like when they kick the ice and

looks like when they kick the ice and

looks like when they kick the ice and hit the ice ax DX no problem

hit the ice ax DX no problem

hit the ice ax DX no problem super engaged editor I’ve never had an

super engaged editor I’ve never had an

super engaged editor I’ve never had an experience like this and so I’m going

experience like this and so I’m going

experience like this and so I’m going and getting in the shots get the phone

and getting in the shots get the phone

and getting in the shots get the phone call that night all the ones get my note

call that night all the ones get my note

call that night all the ones get my note marching orders for the next day and so

marching orders for the next day and so

marching orders for the next day and so this is the final day this is on Friday

this is the final day this is on Friday

this is the final day this is on Friday so I go out and said I want big

so I go out and said I want big

so I go out and said I want big landscape shots of climbers I just want

landscape shots of climbers I just want

landscape shots of climbers I just want to see them alone on these blue curtains

to see them alone on these blue curtains

to see them alone on these blue curtains of ice so I go out in the whole day

of ice so I go out in the whole day

of ice so I go out in the whole day that’s what I focus on

that’s what I focus on

that’s what I focus on so I transfer my pictures and then that

so I transfer my pictures and then that

so I transfer my pictures and then that night the last day of the shoot calls me

night the last day of the shoot calls me

night the last day of the shoot calls me up ones come in what’s up Brad at this

up ones come in what’s up Brad at this

up ones come in what’s up Brad at this point we’re like pretty good friends man

point we’re like pretty good friends man

point we’re like pretty good friends man he says hey man just got the shots

he says hey man just got the shots

he says hey man just got the shots really happy with the photos he did a

really happy with the photos he did a

really happy with the photos he did a really good job this week and I got some

really good job this week and I got some

really good job this week and I got some good news so we’re going to my my editor

good news so we’re going to my my editor

good news so we’re going to my my editor said we can run a full color section in

said we can run a full color section in

said we can run a full color section in the you know the whole sports section to

the you know the whole sports section to

the you know the whole sports section to give you two pages of color

give you two pages of color

give you two pages of color he’s like which is big deal we don’t do

he’s like which is big deal we don’t do

he’s like which is big deal we don’t do a lot of color in the paper am i cool

a lot of color in the paper am i cool

a lot of color in the paper am i cool and he said and I’ve got even better

and he said and I’ve got even better

and he said and I’ve got even better news we’re going to run one of the

news we’re going to run one of the

news we’re going to run one of the pictures on the front page and I didn’t

pictures on the front page and I didn’t

pictures on the front page and I didn’t really realize the gravity of this I was

really realize the gravity of this I was

really realize the gravity of this I was like that’s great man yeah I’m so glad

like that’s great man yeah I’m so glad

like that’s great man yeah I’m so glad you like the photos and I’d love to do a

you like the photos and I’d love to do a

you like the photos and I’d love to do a good job with you because I buy I need

good job with you because I buy I need

good job with you because I buy I need to work man I said he’s like he’s like

to work man I said he’s like he’s like

to work man I said he’s like he’s like he’s like yeah no totally it was such a

he’s like yeah no totally it was such a

he’s like yeah no totally it was such a good job in a and yeah you know

good job in a and yeah you know

good job in a and yeah you know congratulations man front page and I was

congratulations man front page and I was

congratulations man front page and I was like ya know I’m super excited man

like ya know I’m super excited man

like ya know I’m super excited man that’s great and I got all kinds of

that’s great and I got all kinds of

that’s great and I got all kinds of ideas so like I don’t know like his

ideas so like I don’t know like his

ideas so like I don’t know like his emailing to you and so for the third

emailing to you and so for the third

emailing to you and so for the third time he’s like it’s like yeah I keep

time he’s like it’s like yeah I keep

time he’s like it’s like yeah I keep getting the front page man and so now

getting the front page man and so now

getting the front page man and so now I’m like well he’s kind of making a big

I’m like well he’s kind of making a big

I’m like well he’s kind of making a big deal about this like I should show

deal about this like I should show

deal about this like I should show something gratitude and I was like yeah

something gratitude and I was like yeah

something gratitude and I was like yeah just man I’m so honored you know it’s

just man I’m so honored you know it’s

just man I’m so honored you know it’s fantastic and he’s laughing on the other

fantastic and he’s laughing on the other

fantastic and he’s laughing on the other under the line right this is like New

under the line right this is like New

under the line right this is like New Yorker guy and you clearly like look at

Yorker guy and you clearly like look at

Yorker guy and you clearly like look at this a greenhorn this guy doesn’t know

this a greenhorn this guy doesn’t know

this a greenhorn this guy doesn’t know what he’s doing and so he says to me he

what he’s doing and so he says to me he

what he’s doing and so he says to me he says Keith you know what the the

says Keith you know what the the

says Keith you know what the the circulation of the New York Times is

circulation of the New York Times is

circulation of the New York Times is internationally

internationally

internationally and I said man Brad I’ll be honest you

and I said man Brad I’ll be honest you

and I said man Brad I’ll be honest you know I I’ve seen it in Starbucks and

know I I’ve seen it in Starbucks and

know I I’ve seen it in Starbucks and Barnes and Noble and I and I’m sure you

Barnes and Noble and I and I’m sure you

Barnes and Noble and I and I’m sure you can get it anywhere in New York but I

can get it anywhere in New York but I

can get it anywhere in New York but I have no idea and he’s laughing I’m sure

have no idea and he’s laughing I’m sure

have no idea and he’s laughing I’m sure I’m on speakerphone at this point and

I’m on speakerphone at this point and

I’m on speakerphone at this point and he’s laughing and he tells me the number

he’s laughing and he tells me the number

he’s laughing and he tells me the number and it was huge at 50 million gigantic

and it was huge at 50 million gigantic

and it was huge at 50 million gigantic internationally and I’m like oh my god

internationally and I’m like oh my god

internationally and I’m like oh my god that’s crazy and so he’s like and he

that’s crazy and so he’s like and he

that’s crazy and so he’s like and he says man great job you should go get a

says man great job you should go get a

says man great job you should go get a drink on me you know it bill me for it

drink on me you know it bill me for it

drink on me you know it bill me for it and he saw and also I want you to stay

and he saw and also I want you to stay

and he saw and also I want you to stay on tomorrow and give me an extra day my

on tomorrow and give me an extra day my

on tomorrow and give me an extra day my fantastic so I go over and is the first

fantastic so I go over and is the first

fantastic so I go over and is the first time I get to hire an assistant I

time I get to hire an assistant I

time I get to hire an assistant I brought like a friend of mine so I’ve

brought like a friend of mine so I’ve

brought like a friend of mine so I’ve read over to my friend and I told him

read over to my friend and I told him

read over to my friend and I told him the good news of course pretending like

the good news of course pretending like

the good news of course pretending like I knew that that was good goodbye front

I knew that that was good goodbye front

I knew that that was good goodbye front page itself until we Wed we had a drink

page itself until we Wed we had a drink

page itself until we Wed we had a drink in the next day we went out we shot like

in the next day we went out we shot like

in the next day we went out we shot like the pick-up day and I remember walking

the pick-up day and I remember walking

the pick-up day and I remember walking into the park and people had the New

into the park and people had the New

into the park and people had the New York Times were looking at it talking

York Times were looking at it talking

York Times were looking at it talking about it is your eyes isn’t here

about it is your eyes isn’t here

about it is your eyes isn’t here who knows dude you shot it you know that

who knows dude you shot it you know that

who knows dude you shot it you know that into Who am I going to tell like I

into Who am I going to tell like I

into Who am I going to tell like I didn’t even know it was like New York

didn’t even know it was like New York

didn’t even know it was like New York Times some newspaper job I don’t know

Times some newspaper job I don’t know

Times some newspaper job I don’t know what I’m doing and I’ll make it like why

what I’m doing and I’ll make it like why

what I’m doing and I’ll make it like why they even get it here like New York size

they even get it here like New York size

they even get it here like New York size – so we finish up the shoe and it was

– so we finish up the shoe and it was

– so we finish up the shoe and it was amazing right so like a week later I get

amazing right so like a week later I get

amazing right so like a week later I get a phone call from this agency in

a phone call from this agency in

a phone call from this agency in Breckenridge Colorado and they said hey

Breckenridge Colorado and they said hey

Breckenridge Colorado and they said hey kid we saw your photos in the New York

kid we saw your photos in the New York

kid we saw your photos in the New York Times we really love them it’s a do you

Times we really love them it’s a do you

Times we really love them it’s a do you shoot snowboarding and I was like yeah

shoot snowboarding and I was like yeah

shoot snowboarding and I was like yeah of course I should come boarding like so

of course I should come boarding like so

of course I should come boarding like so what do you need they said well we’re

what do you need they said well we’re

what do you need they said well we’re doing an advertorial which is a word I’d

doing an advertorial which is a word I’d

doing an advertorial which is a word I’d never heard of and he said we’re going

never heard of and he said we’re going

never heard of and he said we’re going to have the art director call you will

to have the art director call you will

to have the art director call you will call she’ll call you in an hour and I

call she’ll call you in an hour and I

call she’ll call you in an hour and I was like great so I get a phone call or

was like great so I get a phone call or

was like great so I get a phone call or an hour from the Skrill Leslie and she

an hour from the Skrill Leslie and she

an hour from the Skrill Leslie and she says hey I’m really excited to work with

says hey I’m really excited to work with

says hey I’m really excited to work with you I love you you know I looked at your

you I love you you know I looked at your

you I love you you know I looked at your website I saw the pictures that you shot

website I saw the pictures that you shot

website I saw the pictures that you shot for the New York Times and she said the

for the New York Times and she said the

for the New York Times and she said the story we’re doing she’s like it’s an

story we’re doing she’s like it’s an

story we’re doing she’s like it’s an advertorial which means that we’re

advertorial which means that we’re

advertorial which means that we’re getting a bunch of products from

getting a bunch of products from

getting a bunch of products from different companies and we’re going to

different companies and we’re going to

different companies and we’re going to go out we’re going to shoot kind of like

go out we’re going to shoot kind of like

go out we’re going to shoot kind of like a people getting ready to go

a people getting ready to go

a people getting ready to go snowboarding and they’re going to be

snowboarding and they’re going to be

snowboarding and they’re going to be carrying all this equipment with them

carrying all this equipment with them

carrying all this equipment with them and walking around with it and it’s

and walking around with it and it’s

and walking around with it and it’s going to run in numerous magazines kind

going to run in numerous magazines kind

going to run in numerous magazines kind of like an ad but it reads like a story

of like an ad but it reads like a story

of like an ad but it reads like a story I was like great she’s like do you have

I was like great she’s like do you have

I was like great she’s like do you have any

any

any or at work and all I had was like the

or at work and all I had was like the

or at work and all I had was like the crazy portraits or like the guys throw

crazy portraits or like the guys throw

crazy portraits or like the guys throw on the bike and the fake weight off and

on the bike and the fake weight off and

on the bike and the fake weight off and other stuff but I was like yeah I do

other stuff but I was like yeah I do

other stuff but I was like yeah I do Jesus I’ll just send it over I just want

Jesus I’ll just send it over I just want

Jesus I’ll just send it over I just want to see it like so I emailed her that’s

to see it like so I emailed her that’s

to see it like so I emailed her that’s all I had so she calls back in like 20

all I had so she calls back in like 20

all I had so she calls back in like 20 minutes and she’s just dying laughing

minutes and she’s just dying laughing

minutes and she’s just dying laughing right she she’s just like I can’t

right she she’s just like I can’t

right she she’s just like I can’t believe you sent that you know she’s she

believe you sent that you know she’s she

believe you sent that you know she’s she sided in a way like I was kind of

sided in a way like I was kind of

sided in a way like I was kind of holding back on like my really good

holding back on like my really good

holding back on like my really good portrait and ice was a laugh i centered

portrait and ice was a laugh i centered

portrait and ice was a laugh i centered that but I was like but I got the job

that but I was like but I got the job

that but I was like but I got the job you know so we went out and for life for

you know so we went out and for life for

you know so we went out and for life for three days we just shot people like

three days we just shot people like

three days we just shot people like getting ready to go have fun and we

getting ready to go have fun and we

getting ready to go have fun and we never went and had fun we just basically

never went and had fun we just basically

never went and had fun we just basically shuts gentled and it was all new to me

shuts gentled and it was all new to me

shuts gentled and it was all new to me when we did this this story and it

when we did this this story and it

when we did this this story and it turned out great and it was a new

turned out great and it was a new

turned out great and it was a new connection and all of sudden I had this

connection and all of sudden I had this

connection and all of sudden I had this new client that was also local which was

new client that was also local which was

new client that was also local which was great so about two weeks later I get a

great so about two weeks later I get a

great so about two weeks later I get a phone call from this company in Canada

phone call from this company in Canada

phone call from this company in Canada and they said hey we saw you in here

and they said hey we saw you in here

and they said hey we saw you in here time story time but Canada you know they

time story time but Canada you know they

time story time but Canada you know they said we’ve got a catalog coming up we

said we’ve got a catalog coming up we

said we’ve got a catalog coming up we know you shoot rock-climbing and we got

know you shoot rock-climbing and we got

know you shoot rock-climbing and we got we got to shoot a lot of clothing as

we got to shoot a lot of clothing as

we got to shoot a lot of clothing as well you know do you shoot catalog some

well you know do you shoot catalog some

well you know do you shoot catalog some scores of like of course they shoot

scores of like of course they shoot

scores of like of course they shoot catalogs like yeah like you know and

catalogs like yeah like you know and

catalogs like yeah like you know and they asked me what my rate was I’d know

they asked me what my rate was I’d know

they asked me what my rate was I’d know what that meant you know and I but I had

what that meant you know and I but I had

what that meant you know and I but I had read somewhere that if someone else’s

read somewhere that if someone else’s

read somewhere that if someone else’s rate is you always ask it what’s your

rate is you always ask it what’s your

rate is you always ask it what’s your budget you know you put you you

budget you know you put you you

budget you know you put you you basically just like deflect the question

basically just like deflect the question

basically just like deflect the question so I knew poorly negotiated some kind of

so I knew poorly negotiated some kind of

so I knew poorly negotiated some kind of rate and I drove down to Las Vegas and

rate and I drove down to Las Vegas and

rate and I drove down to Las Vegas and we we shot this catalog and again I

we we shot this catalog and again I

we we shot this catalog and again I found myself taking pictures of people

found myself taking pictures of people

found myself taking pictures of people getting ready to go have fun you know

getting ready to go have fun you know

getting ready to go have fun you know but we never really got to have the fun

but we never really got to have the fun

but we never really got to have the fun but it was a whole new experience so a

but it was a whole new experience so a

but it was a whole new experience so a couple months after that my friend Chuck

couple months after that my friend Chuck

couple months after that my friend Chuck freiburger who I talked about earlier he

freiburger who I talked about earlier he

freiburger who I talked about earlier he was a budding filmmaker and he called me

was a budding filmmaker and he called me

was a budding filmmaker and he called me up and he said hey man I’m I’m going to

up and he said hey man I’m I’m going to

up and he said hey man I’m I’m going to South Africa this this summer and I want

South Africa this this summer and I want

South Africa this this summer and I want to make a film I’m gonna go for ten

to make a film I’m gonna go for ten

to make a film I’m gonna go for ten weeks and I want you to come along as

weeks and I want you to come along as

weeks and I want you to come along as the photographer and I’ve already talked

the photographer and I’ve already talked

the photographer and I’ve already talked to a couple magazines I’ve got a bunch

to a couple magazines I’ve got a bunch

to a couple magazines I’ve got a bunch of sponsors on board people want photos

of sponsors on board people want photos

of sponsors on board people want photos and you want to come I’m just like oh my

and you want to come I’m just like oh my

and you want to come I’m just like oh my god of course I want to come yeah I have

god of course I want to come yeah I have

god of course I want to come yeah I have to drive here if one which is amazing so

to drive here if one which is amazing so

to drive here if one which is amazing so that’s all I’m doing these days and I’ve

that’s all I’m doing these days and I’ve

that’s all I’m doing these days and I’ve never been in South Africa so may comes

never been in South Africa so may comes

never been in South Africa so may comes along we

along we

along we like I packed everything I had I was

like I packed everything I had I was

like I packed everything I had I was still shooting film cameras as well as

still shooting film cameras as well as

still shooting film cameras as well as the digital camera overloaded the car

the digital camera overloaded the car

the digital camera overloaded the car and off we went to South Africa and one

and off we went to South Africa and one

and off we went to South Africa and one of the first things we did was as we

of the first things we did was as we

of the first things we did was as we were you know where we were staying we

were you know where we were staying we

were you know where we were staying we kept seeing advertisements for this like

kept seeing advertisements for this like

kept seeing advertisements for this like Safari that was in the area like we’re

Safari that was in the area like we’re

Safari that was in the area like we’re in Africa but we have to go on Safari

in Africa but we have to go on Safari

in Africa but we have to go on Safari so we drove down I think it was

so we drove down I think it was

so we drove down I think it was collective ocean box safari camp and so

collective ocean box safari camp and so

collective ocean box safari camp and so we went down and it was really hacky it

we went down and it was really hacky it

we went down and it was really hacky it felt kind of weird there was like fences

felt kind of weird there was like fences

felt kind of weird there was like fences everywhere and it looked more like

everywhere and it looked more like

everywhere and it looked more like acreage and there was animals roaming

acreage and there was animals roaming

acreage and there was animals roaming around and we went into the entrance and

around and we went into the entrance and

around and we went into the entrance and we paid like our $10 or whatever and the

we paid like our $10 or whatever and the

we paid like our $10 or whatever and the first thing the guy says was he’s like

first thing the guy says was he’s like

first thing the guy says was he’s like hey you know what I have a young lion if

hey you know what I have a young lion if

hey you know what I have a young lion if you guys because we were telling them

you guys because we were telling them

you guys because we were telling them outside of you were to be their exec if

outside of you were to be their exec if

outside of you were to be their exec if you want to go into the pen you can pet

you want to go into the pen you can pet

you want to go into the pen you can pet her and I’m the birds got my glasses

her and I’m the birds got my glasses

her and I’m the birds got my glasses we’re sure we want to do that like yes

we’re sure we want to do that like yes

we’re sure we want to do that like yes oh wait let me go back as this video

oh wait let me go back as this video

oh wait let me go back as this video just plays and so this is the video of

just plays and so this is the video of

just plays and so this is the video of what happened in Daniel Keith just got

what happened in Daniel Keith just got

what happened in Daniel Keith just got clawed at it’s like a big kitty cat

clawed at it’s like a big kitty cat

clawed at it’s like a big kitty cat that’s claws that we get

income so of course this is a Shah right

income so of course this is a Shah right before the the animal jumped on me but

before the the animal jumped on me but

before the the animal jumped on me but the worst part about all my friends is

the worst part about all my friends is

the worst part about all my friends is laughing right like a lion discomfort on

laughing right like a lion discomfort on

laughing right like a lion discomfort on me and I was laughing too if you really

me and I was laughing too if you really

me and I was laughing too if you really listen to the clip that’s my reaction to

listen to the clip that’s my reaction to

listen to the clip that’s my reaction to death was like laughter right but for

death was like laughter right but for

death was like laughter right but for anyway the trip started right and it was

anyway the trip started right and it was

anyway the trip started right and it was it was the most fun ten weeks

it was the most fun ten weeks

it was the most fun ten weeks oh so fun carefree a motivated group

oh so fun carefree a motivated group

oh so fun carefree a motivated group every day someone was out doing some

every day someone was out doing some

every day someone was out doing some really cool rock climb and I got to just

really cool rock climb and I got to just

really cool rock climb and I got to just go along and take pictures and it didn’t

go along and take pictures and it didn’t

go along and take pictures and it didn’t matter what time of day there’s a full

matter what time of day there’s a full

matter what time of day there’s a full moon tomorrow night we should go out it

moon tomorrow night we should go out it

moon tomorrow night we should go out it was just motivation motivation my friend

was just motivation motivation my friend

was just motivation motivation my friend auntie Rae there was all the people I’ve

auntie Rae there was all the people I’ve

auntie Rae there was all the people I’ve been hanging out with for like the

been hanging out with for like the

been hanging out with for like the previous year and a half and and it was

previous year and a half and and it was

previous year and a half and and it was just so much fun and I got to shoot

just so much fun and I got to shoot

just so much fun and I got to shoot landscapes every morning I would get up

landscapes every morning I would get up

landscapes every morning I would get up early and South Africa to this day it’s

early and South Africa to this day it’s

early and South Africa to this day it’s probably my favorite country I

probably my favorite country I

probably my favorite country I absolutely love it it’s incredible place

absolutely love it it’s incredible place

absolutely love it it’s incredible place and I fell in love with bird photography

and I fell in love with bird photography

and I fell in love with bird photography there’s amazing animals down there and

there’s amazing animals down there and

there’s amazing animals down there and even the animals like try to like break

even the animals like try to like break

even the animals like try to like break into your cards oh it’s a crazy place

into your cards oh it’s a crazy place

into your cards oh it’s a crazy place right and at the end of the trip we

right and at the end of the trip we

right and at the end of the trip we actually did this great white shark

actually did this great white shark

actually did this great white shark breaching trip and this shark right here

breaching trip and this shark right here

breaching trip and this shark right here it’s actually you can see there’s a

it’s actually you can see there’s a

it’s actually you can see there’s a little fishing line here they would

little fishing line here they would

little fishing line here they would float like a decoy sail behind the boat

float like a decoy sail behind the boat

float like a decoy sail behind the boat early in the morning and then once the

early in the morning and then once the

early in the morning and then once the sharks kind of wake up it’s really

sharks kind of wake up it’s really

sharks kind of wake up it’s really basically basically dependent on seals

basically basically dependent on seals

basically basically dependent on seals there’s an island called Seal Island

there’s an island called Seal Island

there’s an island called Seal Island that’s like 30,000 seals and once the

that’s like 30,000 seals and once the

that’s like 30,000 seals and once the Sun comes up they go out to the sea to

Sun comes up they go out to the sea to

Sun comes up they go out to the sea to basically eat and we saw like this

basically eat and we saw like this

basically eat and we saw like this happened six times with real seals this

happened six times with real seals this

happened six times with real seals this right here is this the decoys it was an

right here is this the decoys it was an

right here is this the decoys it was an amazing experience Africa is so cool so

amazing experience Africa is so cool so

amazing experience Africa is so cool so it was a trip that left a real

it was a trip that left a real

it was a trip that left a real impression of my life and I started

impression of my life and I started

impression of my life and I started thinking like I want to do big

thinking like I want to do big

thinking like I want to do big expeditions I want to see more of the

expeditions I want to see more of the

expeditions I want to see more of the world like there’s just so much out

world like there’s just so much out

world like there’s just so much out there to see about four years ago

there to see about four years ago

there to see about four years ago a drink with a friend of mine Lukas

a drink with a friend of mine Lukas

a drink with a friend of mine Lukas Gilman and he said this while we’re

Gilman and he said this while we’re

Gilman and he said this while we’re talking he said man friendships with

talking he said man friendships with

talking he said man friendships with athletes is to the red carpet to seeing

athletes is to the red carpet to seeing

athletes is to the red carpet to seeing the world and it’s really true

the world and it’s really true

the world and it’s really true and I would I would even extend that and

and I would I would even extend that and

and I would I would even extend that and just say your friendships in general

just say your friendships in general

just say your friendships in general even with the people you work with the

even with the people you work with the

even with the people you work with the magazine side and the advertising side

magazine side and the advertising side

magazine side and the advertising side all of it these friendships they because

all of it these friendships they because

all of it these friendships they because they become your best friends right and

they become your best friends right and

they become your best friends right and especially with the athletes that you’re

especially with the athletes that you’re

especially with the athletes that you’re travelling with because you know who

travelling with because you know who

travelling with because you know who better to travel the world with than the

better to travel the world with than the

better to travel the world with than the people you love the most because things

people you love the most because things

people you love the most because things happen are getting lost in a country

happen are getting lost in a country

happen are getting lost in a country you’ve never been in before and you know

you’ve never been in before and you know

you’ve never been in before and you know climbing a big mountain and and going on

climbing a big mountain and and going on

climbing a big mountain and and going on a cool expedition with cool people you

a cool expedition with cool people you

a cool expedition with cool people you know these are experiences you want to

know these are experiences you want to

know these are experiences you want to do with people you love it’s such a fun

do with people you love it’s such a fun

do with people you love it’s such a fun life of exploration and it’s all made

life of exploration and it’s all made

life of exploration and it’s all made only better with people that are equally

only better with people that are equally

only better with people that are equally passionate about doing it as well and so

passionate about doing it as well and so

passionate about doing it as well and so as the years rolled on I continued to

as the years rolled on I continued to

as the years rolled on I continued to work heavily like in the editorial world

work heavily like in the editorial world

work heavily like in the editorial world of the different climbing magazines and

of the different climbing magazines and

of the different climbing magazines and go see different places and it was so

go see different places and it was so

go see different places and it was so much fun and the goofy portraits I

much fun and the goofy portraits I

much fun and the goofy portraits I started out shooting on early on turned

started out shooting on early on turned

started out shooting on early on turned into a column for for rock and ice

into a column for for rock and ice

into a column for for rock and ice magazine which is a favorite climbing

magazine which is a favorite climbing

magazine which is a favorite climbing magazine and for four years I shot just

magazine and for four years I shot just

magazine and for four years I shot just Illustrated portraits of the different

Illustrated portraits of the different

Illustrated portraits of the different you know colorful people in the climbing

you know colorful people in the climbing

you know colorful people in the climbing community and got to meet so many fun

community and got to meet so many fun

community and got to meet so many fun people and hear their stories in 2010

people and hear their stories in 2010

people and hear their stories in 2010 something happened in photography that

something happened in photography that

something happened in photography that really changed things and it was all of

really changed things and it was all of

really changed things and it was all of a sudden you could do video and you’re

a sudden you could do video and you’re

a sudden you could do video and you’re in your still camera and it sent ripples

in your still camera and it sent ripples

in your still camera and it sent ripples through the photography community in a

through the photography community in a

through the photography community in a lot of ways because there was in a lot

lot of ways because there was in a lot

lot of ways because there was in a lot of ways nervousness because there were

of ways nervousness because there were

of ways nervousness because there were people writing like on online blogs from

people writing like on online blogs from

people writing like on online blogs from different places that like video is

different places that like video is

different places that like video is going to replace photography in the

going to replace photography in the

going to replace photography in the future it’ll just be directors and

future it’ll just be directors and

future it’ll just be directors and people will pull still frames when they

people will pull still frames when they

people will pull still frames when they need photos and I’m reading all this

need photos and I’m reading all this

need photos and I’m reading all this like wow this is crazy I need to like

like wow this is crazy I need to like

like wow this is crazy I need to like learn how to shoot video and it was all

learn how to shoot video and it was all

learn how to shoot video and it was all like is all nonsense because they’re two

like is all nonsense because they’re two

like is all nonsense because they’re two completely different things which I’ll

completely different things which I’ll

completely different things which I’ll show here in just a second but it

show here in just a second but it

show here in just a second but it completely jumped on the bandwagon and I

completely jumped on the bandwagon and I

completely jumped on the bandwagon and I quickly fell in love shooting video is a

quickly fell in love shooting video is a

quickly fell in love shooting video is a lot of fun it’s a new way to tell a

lot of fun it’s a new way to tell a

lot of fun it’s a new way to tell a story it’s a completely different

story it’s a completely different

story it’s a completely different creative process and that’s the one

creative process and that’s the one

creative process and that’s the one thing I found out within probably the

thing I found out within probably the

thing I found out within probably the first like a couple months of playing

first like a couple months of playing

first like a couple months of playing with it when you’re shooting a photo a

with it when you’re shooting a photo a

with it when you’re shooting a photo a photo is about like an isolated moment

photo is about like an isolated moment

photo is about like an isolated moment something that when things come together

something that when things come together

something that when things come together something that’s interesting like we’ve

something that’s interesting like we’ve

something that’s interesting like we’ve all seen pictures where like somebody’s

all seen pictures where like somebody’s

all seen pictures where like somebody’s eyes are they blunt they’re blinking

eyes are they blunt they’re blinking

eyes are they blunt they’re blinking their eyes or something out there making

their eyes or something out there making

their eyes or something out there making a stupid face and you just like it’s a

a stupid face and you just like it’s a

a stupid face and you just like it’s a bad photo but if something looks good

bad photo but if something looks good

bad photo but if something looks good that you’re like that’s a fine photo

that you’re like that’s a fine photo

that you’re like that’s a fine photo right it’s the same in video you want to

right it’s the same in video you want to

right it’s the same in video you want to capture a sequence of events in

capture a sequence of events in

capture a sequence of events in photography you want to capture a moment

photography you want to capture a moment

photography you want to capture a moment right of action so this picture here

right of action so this picture here

right of action so this picture here this isn’t the best surfing photo but

this isn’t the best surfing photo but

this isn’t the best surfing photo but it’s at least interesting to look at

it’s at least interesting to look at

it’s at least interesting to look at right you got this guy he’s grabbing his

right you got this guy he’s grabbing his

right you got this guy he’s grabbing his surfboard he’s kind of making this car

surfboard he’s kind of making this car

surfboard he’s kind of making this car move so when I shot this photo I was

move so when I shot this photo I was

move so when I shot this photo I was also rolling video on a tripod next to

also rolling video on a tripod next to

also rolling video on a tripod next to me now watch the video clip

it’s pretty uneventful right the waves

it’s pretty uneventful right the waves are there waves aren’t that good

are there waves aren’t that good

are there waves aren’t that good basically what this guy was doing it was

basically what this guy was doing it was

basically what this guy was doing it was we’re doing this ad shoot and he was

we’re doing this ad shoot and he was

we’re doing this ad shoot and he was getting towed in and he was doing like

getting towed in and he was doing like

getting towed in and he was doing like tricks off of these waves he was meant

tricks off of these waves he was meant

tricks off of these waves he was meant to just like blast and do tricks well he

to just like blast and do tricks well he

to just like blast and do tricks well he came in a little late so he just kind of

came in a little late so he just kind of

came in a little late so he just kind of carved out of it but I shot a photo at

carved out of it but I shot a photo at

carved out of it but I shot a photo at the same time because I’m just rolling

the same time because I’m just rolling

the same time because I’m just rolling on like a locked-off video tripod so

on like a locked-off video tripod so

on like a locked-off video tripod so when you see it coupled with the photo

when you see it coupled with the photo

when you see it coupled with the photo again the video clip is nothing but

again the video clip is nothing but

again the video clip is nothing but there’s still like a little moment in

there’s still like a little moment in

there’s still like a little moment in there and that’s a photography is all

there and that’s a photography is all

there and that’s a photography is all about right finding that moment and

about right finding that moment and

about right finding that moment and video is all about finding a sequence

video is all about finding a sequence

video is all about finding a sequence that makes sense a clip that you can cut

that makes sense a clip that you can cut

that makes sense a clip that you can cut to until a better narrative story with

to until a better narrative story with

to until a better narrative story with later so it was good these good lessons

later so it was good these good lessons

later so it was good these good lessons to learn early on when I got really in

to learn early on when I got really in

to learn early on when I got really in the video it became the new editorial

the video it became the new editorial

the video it became the new editorial you know instead of going out and

you know instead of going out and

you know instead of going out and shooting a story for a climbing magazine

shooting a story for a climbing magazine

shooting a story for a climbing magazine was like let’s go make a film and it

was like let’s go make a film and it

was like let’s go make a film and it slowly learned it sort of turned into

slowly learned it sort of turned into

slowly learned it sort of turned into doing like bigger expeditions