So Erin, how's life?
Things are good. I am currently in a small abandoned mining town north of Whistler with some of the best terrain in BC. I am working on a sweet environmentally conscious film with Marie France Roy for Transworld snowboarding. We have a rad crew and it’s dumping so yeah - things are good…really good.
You started an online video series right? How did that come about?
I wanted to show the average person what it takes to get the photos that they see in the mags. I grew up in the suburbs of Toronto far away from the mountains, so people back home have no frame of reference for what I do. As a result, when they see my work there is a disconnect and they don’t relate to the images in the same way. The goal of the series is to provide context in order to fill this disconnect so that everyone can value and appreciate my photos.
Any favorite moments from creating seasons 1 and 2?
Alaska was a highlight for sure. Over the years I had had 8 different offers to shoot heli-boarding and all of them fell through for a variety of reasons. Alaska ended up being my first time in a helicopter and it was with a crew that pioneered filming in the area with some of the best snowboarders of today; legend Nicolas Muller, Kimmy Fasani and Manuel Diaz. It was a dream trip that I never thought would actually happen but it did. It is the focus of episodes 5 and 6.
What are the most challenging aspects of creating the series?
The editing and music rights, for sure. I mean, some shoot days can be a lot because I am shooting photos, building a story and making sure I get enough footage to make the storyline work, all while actually doing what it takes to get to the locations. But for me editing everything together has definitely been the biggest hurdle.
How does presenting a video series help a photographer?
I don’t know that it does. It is just something I have always wanted to do and now with the accessibility of filming and how much video content is being consumed it seemed like the perfect time to start doing it. Ultimately though, my goal is to inspire people to get out there and experience epic adventures and mind-blowing locations for themselves. They say that when people have a connection and passion for something, they are more likely to protect it. For me if the series can inspire even just one person to get out there and really experience and document nature for themselves, then it will be a success.
Action sports photography is a largely male-dominated industry... has this had any impact on how you approach your career?
That’s a tough question because I have no idea what it would be like if I was one of the boys. I just always make sure I do everything I can to produce the best photos possible, that the people I work with are beyond stoked on them and that we have fun doing it. Other than that, I have just accepted that my skills will always be second-guessed and I will always have to prove myself - but whether that is different to anyone else I have no idea.
Any female action sports photographers you admire?
There are definitely not enough female action sports photographers but Robin O’Neill is a ski and mountain bike photographer out of Whistler and she’s so sick. Her photos are insane, the color she brings into them and her use of light is amazing.
What have you learned from shooting action sports?
Wow, I’ve learnt so much. By shooting backcountry snowboarding I have learnt how to be in the mountains and how much respect you have to have for them and ‘mother nature’ in general. I have also learnt how to overcome challenges on a daily basis. But the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that other people are always going to tell you that things are impossible or too gnarly, but in reality other people don’t know sh*t. Those are their limitations; you can decide what’s possible for you.
Any words of wisdom for aspiring photographers in the action sports world?
Just do and keep doing it. If you love it, no matter what happens every shoot is worth it.
Want to see more from Erin? Head over to her website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, or check out her web series.