My New Year's Resolution

Help snowboarding get into the 2014 Paralympics!

As 2010 comes to a close I find myself thankful for many things. The wonderful relationships I've developed over the years with friends, co-workers and business contacts are the first that come to mind.

Nicole Roundy slays a backside boardslide

A few years a go I had the pleasure of photographing a group of adaptive snowboarders at Mt. Hood as they attended a series of freestyle camps through Windells. It was amazing to see the union of technology, innovation and relentless willpower that allowed these athletes to trench fat carves, slide boxes and spin 360s. I even witnessed the first ever 540 by an AK (above the knee) amputee.

Ten years ago, technology that mimicked the proper flexion and extension of knees and ankles, making it possible for amputees to snowboard, didn't exist.

People like Lucas Grossi, Jarem Frye, Nicole Roundy, Keith Duetsch, Travis Theile and Amy Purdy and organizations like Original Gimp, Adaptive Action Sports, National Ability Center, Symbiotechs and Wounded Warrior Project have pioneered a new era for adaptive sports. Thanks to the determination of these and other people, adaptive snowboarding now has a great shot at getting into the 2014 paralympics.

Keith Duetsch gets ready to drop into the 1/2 pipe. Photo run by ESPN and hosted on AAS's website (Copyright 2008 Aaron Schultz)

ESPN is even getting on board and ran an article about this. This article also features a photo I took during one of those adaptive snowboarding camps mentioned above. So exciting!

In honor of all the adaptive athletes and their bid for the 2014 paralympics I will donate 5% of all 2011 profits from my photography to these athletes and their cause.

With your help we can we can help these athletes fulfill their dreams so buy a print or download, donate directly to one of these orginizations and spread the word! Thanks!

Engagement

It was a good Christmas.

My fiance and I celebrate at the Portland City Grill.

Dew Tour 2010

Last October I had the pleasure of going to the Dew Tour finals in Las Vegas, NV. Here's one I recently rediscovered. He's doing a front flip while grabbing his front tire. So sweet!

Check out my gallery to see more.

Architectural Fine Art

Here's a couple photos I've had on deck for a long time. I'd forgotten about them. It feels like I found $20 in a pair of pants I haven't worn in a long time.

Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Sculpture made from recycled concrete under the hwy 205 overpass, Portland, OR

Thanks for looking in!

Rhythm and Momentum

Hard to believe it’s been two months since my last post!

I wish I could say I was in Mexico getting a sun tan this whole time but instead I’ve been hard at work adding the necessary infrastructure to my web presence and online commerce.

I’ve also been hard at work creating - shooting photos, putting together a book and composing music. In these lean times creating is the only thing, besides my fiance and dog, I have that keep’s me sane. But, I am not alone as I am one of the many in this country who’s had to reinvent themselves over the last few years.

About a year ago, around the time I had sent out my 200th resume without getting an email or phone call from those companies in acknowledgment, I made a decision. “F!@# ‘em.” I said. “If they won’t give me a job I’ll make my own.”

To rephrase this sentiment - instead of blowing my time (it takes on average 2-4 hours per cover letter) screaming into the void and stinking of desperation, I would compress my ten year plan into three. If was going to blow my time and not get paid for my hard work then I was at least going to do something I love.

My plan - to transform my creative talents into a self-sufficient business.

After a year of very hard knocks, including my old computer crashing, my camera breaking and having nothing left to sell (thanks for the good times Suby!), momentum is gathering (and I am able to buy my dog good food again). Next year will be a big year. It feels good.

So here’s a few things I have on deck.

Starting January 1st, 2011 I will begin a big marketing and promotion push.

As you can see this site has come along way in a few short months. Please check out the galleries page and buy a print or a photo gift.

I have composed, under my alter-ego Traveler Q, four downtempo tracks. I will keep putting out one a month and should have an album, titled “Nod Your Head” by June. You can listen to the tracks on my Facebook fan page and buy them on CD Baby. Making a movie? These tracks also are available for licensing.

My photo book “Montana, New York - Perspective, Form and Volume”, an analysis of American mythos by comparing Montanan and New York, will be ready in January.

After a dry spell, I am in talks to license some more of my work. Details to follow soon.

Finally, I will have a photo show to complement the book in Portland in 2011.

Until my next post here’s a few photos of DJ Moshy. I had the pleasure of photographing him during his weekly gig at the Blue Martini in Las Vegas when I was there for the Dew Tour.

Thanks for your support!