Welcome to Ski School: Part 2

I always ask my students if they know the most important part about skiing. Most of the young ones shake their head, some of the older ones will say something about parallel skis, but only a few get it right. The most important part about skiing is to have fun. Why the hell else would we do it?

Luckily most of my students’ parents understand this because most of my students’ parents ski. A few ask if their child is improving technique and learning valuable skills - which is far less bothersome and tends to come off far less aggressive. But some parents question if their child is being challenged, they ask when I’ll be taking them down black diamonds. This bugs the hell out of me.

Often, I find myself explaining that, as an instructor, I’ll often ski with students on terrain below their skill level that is more conducive to learning. They may fire back with, “Well, we ski black diamonds with them all the time,” and, as a mountain employe, it takes all of my restraint to avoid telling this parent, “and your kid skis like shit, they wedge straight down black diamonds, and that's not skiing.”

Welcome to Ski School: Part 1

Teaching kids to ski, at its worst, is little more than glorified daycare. At its best, it’s the opportunity to instill a lifelong passion in some tiny humans.

I couldn’t tell you why I first applied to become a ski instructor besides my desire to live in the mountains for a season. I was pretty surprised I got the gig to begin with. I wasn’t planning on living in Montana for more than a season, but clearly things didn’t go according to plan. It’s now my fourth season in the mountains and my third season teaching. I'm still loving it.

Hanging out with kids for six hours at a time, you start to get a small idea of what it would be like to be a parent. Most of the time it sucks - they don’t listen, they throw tantrums, they always have snot covering their face. But, every now and then, you get to witness a child execute a new technique, their eyes light up, and it's glorious. I’m not sure how parents justify it, but it's not my place to judge.

Honestly though, I find it fascinating that parents trust complete strangers with their young, impressionable children for six hours a week. I can’t stand some of the conversation some of these kids try to engage me in, I have no choice but to steer the dialogue towards subjects that interest me. Today, between working on pole plants, I introduced my students to the perils of A.I. and the lessons I’ve learned through such films and “The Matrix” and “The Terminator.” I’m sure they’re going to have nightmares - welcome to the real world, kids, now let's go work on those french-fry turns.

Ride Kauai: Part 7

I have to make the distinction between travel and vacation. Vacation often includes travel, but vacation is defined as “an extended period of recreation.” Travel simply means to make a journey. I wouldn't describe this trip as an extended period of recreation, but it was certainly a journey.

They key was that it wasn't easy - it was work. With every photography contract, I feel the pressure to live up to the expectations of the clients. It's hard to find the motivation to go to the gym every morning. It's downright intimidating to shoot for a professional mountain bike racer. None of it was easy.

Writing a blog isn't easy. Going out to capture images or video is difficult. Editing is time consuming. Learning new techniques and experimenting with them until you're proficient is hard work. None of this is easy.

If this was easy, everyone would be successful. You're talent isn't enough, success requires effort.

Ride Kauai: Part 6

The Waimea Canyon is spectacular. Known as the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii,” it boasts stunning colors ranging from patches of deep green foliage to the rich reds of the hawaiian soil. At ten miles long and 3,000 feet deep, it’s nowhere near the size of its North American counterpart, but still a must see. Its also home to Kauai’s best DH trail.

Kyle had this ingenious plan to use my parent’s 50cc scooter to do some shuttling. Hitting the road with a vespa strapped into the truck bed and two bikes draped over the tailgate, we felt like absolute savages and the stoke was high. A quick stop at Kalaheo Cafe and we were heading west, on our way to what I was sure would be a trip highlight.

Rim Trail hugs the western edge of the canyon rim and at times you become intimately aware of the massive drop to the left. It’s a solid 20 minute descent if you keep moving, but there are plenty of offshoots to be explored. Beginning at higher elevation, the air is noticeably cooler and more damp than the end of the trail. Traveling through climate zones means a variety of scenery and trail conditions.

Weaving our way through eucalypts at the top, there are wooden features that beg to be sessioned. Lower down, the trail opens up and you can really open the throttle. The flow this trail has is unbelievable. The dirt is incredible. But, the real treat on this lower section is the view. Riding alongside one of the most impressive geological features in the state and ripping straight for the pacific ocean is an experience few are afforded.

Riding the vespa back up the road to retrieve the truck, the poor little motor struggling under our combined weight, was an experience in itself. To be honest, it was pretty fun and, although we had to jump off to get the poor scooter up some of the steeper hills, the looks of confusion from onlookers made it all worth it.

We were able to get in a few laps in this manner, and I was able to get a few decent shots. With cramping legs, we loaded the vespa and two bikes into the truck and turned back towards home.

Artist Statement

I make content. That’s my thing.

It's taken a long time to come to an understanding of who I am and what I want to do, but I think I’m starting to get there.

Long before I picked up a camera, I considered being a writer. I’ve always enjoyed writing. In high school, I actually enjoyed essay assignments because they made sense to me. I enjoy the process of organizing thoughts, of getting them in order so that they might make sense to the reader. I think people who struggle with writing don’t understand that it's a mental process of cutting through to the essence of a concept, of the idea you want to get down. You must first understand what you want to express. I think this is why I find writing so meditative and why I find so much personal clarity from writing.

In 2013 I dropped out of California State University at Chico. Engineering wasn’t my thing at the time and maybe school wasn’t my thing at the time either. But it was a stressful time with me. I joined a friend on a trip to Ashland, OR for the Ashland Spring Thaw bike race. There I was introduced to Drew Rhode, editor of Decline Magazine. I shadowed him most of that weekend, picking his brain and watching him cover the race. I asked him what it would take for me to get an article in the magazine and he just asked what kind of camera I had. I admitted that I didn’t have one. “Get a camera,” he told me. So, that summer, I got a camera. I’ve been shooting ever since. This month, my name was published next to a full page photo of mine in Decline.

Shortly after I got my camera I began experimenting with video. My best creative work is usually done when on the subject of my passions, so naturally I made my first video is of me mountain biking. Compared side by side with my most recent mountain bike video, I'm a little bit blown away by my own progress. 

I'm inspired by adventure and exploration, by pushing the limits of what the human mind and body can do, and by the big questions like "who are we?" and "what are we doing?" I grew up reading the works great American adventure authors like Jack London and Mark Twain. I'm influenced both by the great landscape photographer Ansel Adams as well has the mountain bike photographer legend Sven Martin. The cinematography of Sweetgrass Productions, Sherpa Cinema, and Stept Prod. is another fountain of inspiration for me. I'm motivated to work hard and to perfect my craft so that I might one day combine all my skills as a content creator for a company like Red Bull Media House.

As a content creator, my goal is to constantly create quality content that captivates my audience. The only way to perfect my craft is to constantly create media. As a writer, a blog is a vital tool that allows me to practice and share simultaneously. My goal is to write something every day and to keep my words relevant while developing my voice. As a photographer, I will focus on sharing my work through Instagram to build a following. I plan to challenge myself to capture spectacular images by getting way out of my comfort zone - getting up early, getting myself to difficult locations, and keeping my camera with me wherever I go. As a videographer, I will increase both quantity and quality while educating myself on visual effects and animation. I plant to continue my Chuck Fin RAW series, making new videos regularly.

I want to focus on the areas of graphic design that will strengthen my creativity and manipulation of my writing, photography, videography. I also want to build my other skills such as digital illustration - anything to give me a broader understanding of marketing.

For my hardcopy portfolio, I want to showcase my photography. I like the idea of choosing a theme, but I think for my first portfolio I want to share my variety.

It's taken me a long time to get here, but I'm really only now getting close to professional level products. My biggest struggle has been maintaining my inspiration and staying consistent. But, like I mentioned earlier, I'm starting to get it. I'm starting to understand myself and where I want to be.

Ride Kauai: Part 5

Maybe I take my home for granted sometimes, I definitely did before I moved away. Now, most of the time, I’d say I’m hyper-aware of just how special Kauai is. Watching it change hasn't always been easy. Living on the mainland means I see significant changes to Kauai each time I return, like in waves, rather than gradually.

I’m often conflicted. At best, my profession profits from development and, at worst, facilitates it. I know that if I don’t take these pictures, there are ten others waiting to take my place. It seems like a bit of a cop-out, but it's also true. I do know that the industry puts a lot of good people to work and I know a lot of families that depend on that work. My family is one of them. At the moment, there are no signs that development will ever slow on Kauai. Maybe one day I’ll be in a better position to take a leadership role in the changes that happen all too quickly.

For now, all I can do is keep moving forward. I can also take pictures and I’m getting pretty damn good at it. I’ve learned a lot about real estate and architectural photography in the last few months. Each niche of photography has its own rules, its own insights, and architectural photography is no different. Just recently I learned the importance of correcting lens distortion so that the building doesn’t seem to bend. Pricing is aspect that varies from market to market, which takes more time to learn.

But there are constants in photography and the ability to execute is number one. Putting in the work, showing up and taking the picture, going home to edit, and moving on to the next job. Thats what its all about, and not just in photography.

Ride Kauai: Part 4

Whenever I’m on Kauai, at one point or another, I become overwhelmed by a perceived obligation to do everything. Obviously I have to go surfing, but should I also bring my dive gear in case we decide to go spearfishing? Should we go hiking or jump off a waterfall? If we go to any particular side of the island I have no less than four places that I absolutely need to stop to eat at. And, if I don’t spend time with as many of my old friend as possible, what kind of person would I be?

Fortunately, I had a few specific objectives on this trip to narrow my focus. One of these objectives had already been fulfilled - the Oahu contract - which was one less weight on my mind. But that was just one item on a long list. You don’t invite the 3x North American Enduro Tour champion to Kauai and not show him around the local trails.

At noon, Kyle and I loaded our bikes into the truck and set out for the east side. The windward side of the island is home to a strong Hawaiian demographic. On the weekends, you’ll find large groups of extended ohana enjoying their time cooking out at Anahola Beach Park. You’ll also find a network of mellow, rippable trails that lead you south along the eastern coastline. As we pull up and park the truck we throw a shaka to the uncles and hop on our bikes.

The Anahola trail networks are intersected by a series of dirt roads that allow for easy climbing. Once at the top, there are half a dozen trails that descend to the coastline. There are additional trails that hug the coastline and combine a even mix of climbing and descending. This is where I had my first mountain bike experience so I may be a little bias. But, I think that for a short-travel trail bike, these trails are world class. The combination of unique Kauai soil, mellow pitch trails, and ocean views make this a very special place for myself and the mountain bike community on Kauai.

But by the end of our 2+ hour ride, we’re ready for something more aggressive. Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to introducing Kyle to the Waimea Canyon trail.

Ride Kauai: Part 3

When I take my seat on the flight home it feels like the first time I’ve sat down all day. I had climbed a 300 foot tower crane, walked in the projector room of the biggest theater in the state, and stood next to a Formula 1 car. It's the kind of day that should have left me exhausted. Except it didn’t. I’m buzzing.

I stayed up all night editing the images I had captured that day. Maybe I started because of the stress of not knowing if I had gotten the shots that I needed for my client, but by 5AM I had a more intrinsic motivation. The excitement I get from editing a my images is something that's hard to describe. As the first rays of light peeked over the horizon I grabbed my camera bag and headed out the door. I knew being up this early was a great opportunity to capture the sunrise and I knew just the spot.

I walked up the sandy trail to some east-facing sea cliffs trying to picture where I wanted to be in five years. I know I can capture impressive images when I have the motivation. It’s taken three years but I’ve proven to myself that I have a talent with my camera. I’m also fortunate to have countless opportunities at my feet - not everybody has the networks I have and not everybody spends their time bouncing between Kauai and Montana. As I setup my tripod and dial in my settings I realize that I have 26 years of pent up energy that I’m finally ready to use.

I set the timer, listen to the shutter click, pack it in, and head home to take a long nap.

Ride Kauai: Part 2

I always tell people visiting Kauai, “The trick is not to over do it, give yourselves time to do nothing. Doing nothing is one of the best things you can do on Kauai.” This concept is foreign to my friend. I have to fly to Oahu the next day to do some photography for a client and when I ask Kyle if he’s going to be ok getting familiar with the island without me he informs me that he’s already arranged a 200cc scooter with a top speed of 70 mph to be delivered to the house. The statewide speed limit is 50. “Don’t worry”, he tells me, “I’ll work it out.” Yeah, because professional bike racers aren’t known to push limits.

For me, photography is equally as frustrating as it is rewarding. I’ve only been doing this for three years, but at times I can be really self-critical. I still make mistakes and I compensate by taking tons of photos when out on a shoot. I feel immense pressure when on shoots and, for the most part, it’s pressure I put on myself. I feel fortunate to be able to supplement my income with photography, but it's more fulfilling when I can realize an image the way I see it in my head.

While on Oahu I had four major projects to shoot for my client, Unlimited Construction. It’s a nonstop day of driving,arriving, looking for shots, setting up angles, capturing the shots, and moving on to the next location. The day culminated at a nearly completed, high end, automotive sales facility complete with some very high end automobiles. The gearhead in me enjoyed this very much. The $1.1 million 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT was definitely the highlight.

Ride Kauai: Part 1

Winter in Montana. The thermometer outside reads -7. That's the reality for most mountain bikers in the off-season. You better find something else to keep you busy other than watch bike films or stare at magazines or its unlikely you’ll make it to summer with your sanity intact. If you haven’t checked the routes available from your local airport lately, I suggest you do.

In two flights I’m touching down on the island where I was born and raised, Kauai, and I'm greeted by the warm, humid air. Going from -7 to 70 is a pretty easy transition. With year-round tradewinds and winter lows an average of 60, it's not a bad place to spend some of the winter. The people are nice, the food is good(especially if you like fish), and there is actually some decent trail riding.

I try to get home at least once a year, but I’m particularly looking forward to this trip. I’ve convinced my old buddy, now 3X North American Enduro Tour Champ, Kyle Warner to meet me out here. He’s the kind of guy who you can’t help but have a good time around. From tearing around Vegas casinos on bikes at Interbike to squatting in an abandon house for months at a time, he’s been a loose cannon for as long as I’ve known him and I’ve got plenty of faith that we’re going to have a good time.