I speak at a lot of events about photography, great getting to meet other photographers and share experiences. I’m often asked when I started shooting professionally and the beginnings of my career. If you want to know what was the defining moment in my decision to be a photographer, pick up the current issue of Shutterbug magazine.
I have been shooting 25 years as a professional photographer. Initially I combined adventure sports guiding with shooting until I established myself and made enough money to be full time. 20 years ago I was part of an Indo-American team to climb Nanda Devi, a 25,643′ peak in the Indian Himalayas. It was during this trip, doing a little soul searching about my future, and a remarkable experience, that put my photography career in full motion. One night, under a bright moon at 20,000′, a snow leopard sneaked up behind me as I peered through my camera. I turned around, saw the big shadowy shape (I could hear it breathing), and felt a surge of adrenaline and excitement unlike any other. Thinking about the encounter, my excitement, and the fact it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been taking a picture…I decided right then and there I wanted to be a full time photographer. Read more about it in Shutterbug, and watch my new video coming out later this month about my photography career. Stay tuned, more on that soon!