After a full day of shooting at Tahoe I was driving back to Truckee when I got a phone call. Scotty Lago called me asking if I would join them for a bonfire session in their backyard. Being tired and hungry after the long day, I first thought that I’d pass. But I know Lago well, and I knew that if he says something is good and worth checking out, then it usually really is.
As I pulled in I saw the guys outside the house. I unpacked my gear and headed to the dark back yard. In the middle of it, there was a hole in the snow with a small fire. Above that I saw the jump and the flat landing on the other side. The run up to the jump came down through the middle of some small trees, pitch black, except for candles at the sides.
Lago said that he’ll give me a couple tries but that would be it. I set my gear up and looked up to the darkness. I only heard Lago’s voice saying, “dropping in five.” The other guys were gathered around the fire, which was now getting bigger and bigger. Lago gave it a couple of tries to get the timing right with the flames, while the boys almost had their faces grilled off. It was definitely a better end to the day than staying in my hotel room.
Rami Hanafi

About the shot

Biography
Born in Finland in 1979, I developed my passion for photography as a young boy, observing street and nature photos my mother took in addition to her painting. While I never really knew how to hold a paintbrush the right way, a camera seemed to fit in my hand just fine!
My interest in photography led me to study photojournalism at the University of Tampere. Only a few years later, in 2006 when working at Aamulehti newspaper, I was awarded Young Photo Journalist of the Year in Finland.
My previous life as a snowboarder allowed me to live a dream life of travelling the world for the coming years, following some of the world’s best snowboarders of that time. Today, I still continue this journey for the sheer joy of it all.
I have a unique ‘documentary’ approach towards new challenges. Whether documenting or creating, I am always looking for true feelings and uncompromising images. My sense of moment and true devotion to the story have led to the publication of my images in numerous international magazines such as TWS, Outside, Snowboarder or Flag, and alongside the logos of such renowned clients as Nokia, Finnair, Flow and Billabong to name but a few.
If it wasn’t for my camera, I would love to work as a curator. Or I would be found simply enjoying a summer day on a boat with my wife and two children.