Reflections on Pro Photo Showdown: Part 1 of ?

Initial Reaction: INCREDIBLE! And did I really just get interviewed by MTV Canada? Or did I just get "punked?"

The whole experience start to finish was amazing. What an honor to be a finalist among Blake Jorgenson, Brynn Hughes, Russel Dalby, Mike Yoshida, and Steve Lloyd!

As a young intern with Powder and Bike Magazines I can recall ooogling over slide and print submissions from Blake and Bryn (yes, pre digital takeover). The first year I moved to Utah I remember going to see an inspiring slide show of Steve's. And my first summer out west was spent living in an a-frame with 9 people at the bottom of Mt Hood shooting camp photos for Windells (and High Cascade) with my roommates, one of which was the awesomely funny, talented, and great all around guy, Mike Yoshida who has gone on to work for K2 snowboards and now as associate PE for Snowboarder Mag. And not to leave out Russell... I was not familiar with his work before the show, but his bio was funny, and he's a staff photog for Snowboard Canada, and after his slideshow I am a BIG fan! So... to reiterate... HOW AMAZING to be a finalist alongside them all!

As a young photographer now living in Salt Lake City, Utah and holding down a full time job with Backcountry.com (strangely, I was unable to find work in a restaurant, hmmm....) I have much to juggle in the way of my job with bc.com and my personaal ski shooting, editing, processing, submitting, marketing, invoicing, sleeping (what's that?), and taking time for myself to just ski, or bike, or generally explore this natural world. My budgets are small. The most exotic places I traveled to this year were Terrace and Smithers in northern BC, Canada. The most exotic place I have ever been is Las Lenas Argentina and that was 5 years ago, and we didn't much leave the beaten gringo path. But on this limited budget, I do find extreme joy in documenting what IS unique about the places we would ordinarily brush off as just another North American town and the joy that traveling with and meeting good people can bring. While I would love to explore some far away places, people, and cultures, it is amazing what you can find in your own backyard. So... to reiterate again... HOW AMAZING to be a finalist!

A fun interview with Doglotion.com whipped up by The International Woman of Mystery (some may know her as Holly Walker, others have only heard legendary legends of far off travel).

A Ski Library!?

Passing through the small town of Sandpoint, ID I added Schweitzer to my list of places to visit (little did I know at the time, that I would be going back a week later -win!)

Fernie, BC to Golden, BC (to ski Kicking Horse)

Martha pointed out this natural spring so we filled up. Tasty water for sure!













It had been a LOOOOOONG time since I saw the sun. I started freaking out at the sight of this beautiful post-storm lighting and had to pull over and take a photo. SO BEAUTIFUL!











This Kokanee has a trail map of Whistler on it. I bought it to celebrate my entry in to the Pro Photo Showdown!!!

And cheers to Sue for letting us crash her lovely house, and everyone else for being great in general!








When in Canada and looking to do things that are decidedly Canadian, one must visit a good ol' TImmy Ho's. Martha and I stopped on the drive to Golden to play the RRRoll up game. I told Martha if I won the car, she could have it. So when she won a coffee, she gave it to me for the drive out of Golden and on to Schweitzer. Thanks lady! Much appreciated!

Pro Photographer Showdown! Finalist!

Wow oh wow! I attended the OLYMPUS Pro Photographer Showdown last year and thought maybe I could make it in the next 5 years or so, but I decided to go ahead and enter this year. A week later I got a phone call asking me to call them back. I thought, "oh no, I hope the slideshow format worked! I hope there wasn't a problem with the submission!" but no, it turns out they wanted to tell me I was chosen as a finalist! HIGH FIVE! I immediately called my boyfriend, my parents, and my brother to share the incredible news. I happened to be driving all day from Bellingham to Fernie so I then had lots of time to myself. 15 to 20 minutes later I was already getting nervous about standing up there, literally center stage, under the ring of screens. It is a CRAZY mix of nervous anxiety, major excitement, and supreme honor just to be a finalist and have the opportunity to show my photos at this event. SO AMAZING!

The official announcement from the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival was made yesterday. I am so excited to now share the news with everyone! See you in Whistler!!!

Interview in the Backcountry Beacon

A little love from Backcountry.com in the Backcountry Beacon!

Yesterday's Drive to Fernie!