Bad weather. At the very beginning of my career in photography, I was afraid of it: no sun, no blue sky and my camera getting wet. But quickly I got bored of the cliché shots taken in what can normally only be described as ‘perfect conditions.’ That's why I really enjoyed traveling to Japan in 2009. Fog was one of the main elements we had to work with. In this weather, having an open-minded athlete who is on the same wavelength is essential.
On the morning of this particular shot, it was raining on the snow which is generally not a good thing, especially as the powder the day before had been perfect. I don't think that many riders would have shared my enthusiasm, or agreed when I said: “Let's go riding and see if we can shoot something!”
Nico Vaudroz is the kind of person you need in the described circumstances. As well as being a talented snowboarder, he is a great painter. His skills and passion mean he has nothing to prove. That's why taking a risk doesn't scare him – snowboarding with his friends is a pleasure. When we saw the silhouette of this lost tree, braving the cold mix of snow and rain, we instantly knew there was something special about the scene. The majestic trunk was the focal point. The scene just framed itself. We just had to wait for the fog to disperse a bit. After the shot, we got home totally wet and cold, but happy to have had the opportunity to appreciate the moody landscapes.
Sébastien Anex

About the shot

Biography
A snowflake addiction led me astray from the route my education should have taken me. While studying Environmental Engineering, I got my first reflex camera to share photo-moments I liked. I started capturing what I was in love with: snow, ski and nature. The first publications came out and, once I got my master's in engineering, I searched for a job in photography.
A few months later, I accepted a part-time job as a photo editor and photographer at the most read daily newspaper in the French part of Switzerland (20 Minutes). Due to the format, we couldn’t print the most artistic pictures, but we received and compiled fresh, new photos from all over the world, which was something I could be passionate about.
Besides that, I also work as a freelance photographer for clients, shooting commercials and editorial work. A lot of them are for the action sport industry, but my horizons are also always being broadened through this experience. From artists' portraits and journalistic reports to fashion shoots, there is always a fresh challenge. The following motto guides my style: “Less is more.” My eye is minimalistic and is constantly searching for a different point of view. Innovation, emotion and joy are what I'm looking for in any photo.