2019 FLASH FOXY CLIMBING FESTIVAL

CHATTANOOGA, TN

The 2019 Flash Foxy Climbing Festival held in Chattanooga, Tennessee is a badass, inclusive, and community based four day climbing event sponsored by Patagonia, Black Diamond, 5Ten, and many more. I had the opportunity to be a part of this amazing event working for Flash Foxy and alongside some other insanely talented female identifying photographers.

What I believe makes this festival unique is not only its kickass participants who come from all over the country, but it’s creation of connections and safe spaces that focus heavily on making the climbing world the best and most inclusive it can be. To do this, the festival promotes education in all climbing styles as well as mindfulness and self care, discussions on native spaces, environmental protection, and an overall stoke of the outdoor space.

During the second (and only clear day!) of the event I worked with two clinics focusing on Trad climbing lead by Kate Rutherford; a Patagonia Ambassador and Rebecca Droz; an Outdoor Research athlete. Finally up on ropes I feel my most at home. The women are crushing it, gaining confidence to place gear and work on their mental game. Back on the ground I had previously set my intentions and guidelines for my shooting style with everyone. It’s always vital to me to create a safe space and connection with the people I shoot. Beyond my obligation to any brand I also feel that part of my job on location is to keep those I shoot open, communicative, and safe. I am asking them to be vulnerable and show me who they are in any setting on the wall, in water, wherever and they trust me with that. I hold so much respect for that.

Here at Flash Foxy is where I really felt like I was the photographer I wanted to be. In Chatt, at this festival- I got to put that part of myself into play finally and it felt damn good.

During the remainder of the festival events like yoga, panel discussions, film screenings and a variety of workshops were held for participants. Service projects with the Access Fund and local climbing groups to clean up crag areas and cut back brush along trails were also part of the jam packed weekend.

As a part of the annual North Face Global Climbing Day I was given the tremendous honor of working with and photographing Ashima Shiraishi during her sessions throughout the day.

Stoked. Strong. And Sending…

During the kick off to the 2019-2020 partnership between The North Face and Mappy Hour athlete Cedar Wright graced us with his presence while bouldering for the event in Central Park. This was the first of a series of images I would shoot for the North Face over the next few months documenting the collaboration between them and Mappy Hour. Another of the North Face athletes to give many great stories, I loved working with Cedar to capture his quirky nature outside to after of which he gave in “Cedar Wright fashion” a presentation that was certainly unforgettable. Beers were included… and required.

#STOKESERIES

A day focused on the stoke, learning and encouragement of female climbers with partners Backcountry and Arcteryx. Once at the Gunks in New Paltz, NY the ladies met their guides from EMS Patty and Carolyn and set off on an amazing day at the crag learning basics of trad, tope roping, and the history of the women in the Gunks. Climbing was followed up by yoga and light snacks at the Arcteryx Store SOHO.