Many of us stare in awe when we see a pretty picture on our phone or computer. We see the mountains, the powder and maybe the subject skier in the photo.
However, we miss the most impressive part about these photos, the one behind the camera clicking the button.
Ski photographers endure some of the hardest challenges the mountains provide, sometimes risking their life just for one shot. Here are five of the best “people behind the camera” in the world right now.
My 5 Favorite Ski Photographers/Videographers
Mattias Fredriksson
Mattias Fredriksson has years and years of experience of top notch photography. Mainly focusing on extreme adventure sports like skiing and mountain biking, Fredriksson has traveled all over the world shooting some of the best athletes in their respective sports. He grew up skiing in Sweden but is now based out of northern Canada where he spends most of his time now.
Fredriksson has stacked up so many awards along with amazing accomplishments in his career as a photographer. Contributing to publications like Bike, SBC Skier, Fluid, Skiing: the next level, Peak Performance magazine, Transition, and Magazine Åre. For someone who started his career as a print journalist, he sure made the right decision to pick up the camera and become the most published skiing photographer in the world.
If your interested in checking out some of Fredriksson’s incredible work his instagram can be found @mattiasfredrikssonphotography on Instagram or his website https://mattiasfredriksson.com/
Jimmy Chin
Jimmy Chin is not just a famous National Geographic Photographer but is an athlete, director, artist. He is an overall storyteller. Chin has also been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Outside Magazine and others. Even winning the National Geographic Photographer’s Photographer Award, which is awarded by fellow photographers and artists, he is well respected in his industry.
As an athlete, Chin is still part of NorthFace’s athletic team as a skier and as a climber for over 20 years. As a director, he and his wife Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, have been nominated and won awards like Emmys, Academy Awards, and some of the best film festivals all across the world. As a director he also became a New York Times Best Seller in 2021 for his photography book, “There and Back”.
Check out Chin through Instagram @jimmychin or his website https://jimmychin.com/
Oskar Enander
Based in Engelberg, Switzerland, but is actually from Sweden, Enander is a professional skier and photographer. He is a true blue chip photographer working for some of the best and most popular ski brands in the world. He has worked with Patagonia, Peak Performance, Moncler, Samsung, Scott, Atomic, Blizzard Skis.
Through these experiences Enander is a three time winner of Powder Magazine’s “Photo of the Year” contest, a Red Bull Illume finalist in 2010, and IF3’s “Best European Ski Photographer 2013”. These are just a few of his top accomplishments but you could keep going down the lists.
Enander is truly a unicorn considering he is actually colorblind. He is also said to be one of the most commanding and confident photographers in the game, which he backs up with incredible work.
Take a look at his work on instagram @oskar_enander or his personal photography website https://www.oskarenander.com/
Ross Hewitt
Even though he is a certified mountain guide, Ross Hewitt is actually a very talented photographer, writer and skier. His adventures of guiding tours allows him to discover more and more every day. He is based out of Chamonix, France where he works and runs his guiding business.
Hewitt has photographed some of the craziest mountain peak lines, sketchy alley chutes, and climbing accents. Although he may not be the most professional or spend the most time on his photography alone it is authentic and talented. His blogs cover so much information as he has tons of experience all around mountains, skiing, and guiding.
If you find yourself needing a guide check out his website https://rosshewittguiding.com/
Christian Pondella
Maybe the most adventurous, extreme photographer I have seen. Pondella makes me nervous just looking at some of the pictures through the screen. It all makes sense because of his background of being an ice climber, rock climber, ski mountaineer and extreme athlete.
Photography career wise Pondella has a resume and a half. He is a senior photographer for Powder Magazine, a SanDisk Extreme Team member, F Stop Global Pro. His work has also appeared in National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, Outside, Men’s Journal, Maxim, FHM, GQ, Climbing, Outdoor Photographer, Shutterbug.
Pondella is a Los Angeles born guy that now lives in Mammoth Lakes with his wife, Julie and child, Blaise. I encourage everyone to check out his website https://www.christianpondella.com/.
And his Instagram @christianpondella
The Bottom Line: Favorite Ski Photographers to Follow
From Everest to The Alps and everywhere around or in between, these photographers have produced some of the most jaw dropping photos that the world has ever seen.
Body on the line, life on the line just for what could be a life changing click of their cameras.
Make sure to check some of these photographers out when you catch yourself craving some ski content.
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