claire lutz

This girl has gotten so much better. Always great to see the progression of a rider for me.

The overall level of women in fact has gone through the roof this last year. Fourteen women competed in the Slider Project's RoSham Event, where as only 4 did 2 years ago. That event is defining the direction of kiting's wakestyle progression like no other. Great to see the ladies charging with style!

Native Crew Selected

I've been selected as part of a local team to tell the story of Hood River for an upcoming ad campaign for Native Eyewear. I have to say a big thanks to everyone who voiced their support of me to Native and their agency ThinkMotive. I am super excited to participate in the sharing of this amazing place and the incredible people here.

I am also stoked to work with a diverse and talented group of writers, specifically Temira Wagonfeld and Phineas England.

In the next few weeks we'll be asking the locals to assist in the effort by helping identify places of interest, incredible local businesses, the special hangouts and adventure zones deserving recognition. It wouldn't be totally fair to just do it ourselves. This project is about involving the community too.

We'll be seeking local top athletes in all sports to profile (bike, ski, windsurf, skate, kite, climb, kayak), as well as looking for the unsung local who breathes Hood River in their daily lifestyle. Artists, musicians, surfboard shapers, brewmasters, who ever they may be.

I'll also be seeking input for any local events between the shoot dates of August 18-21 worthy of recognition (like Post and Pint), and especially the local organizations that are working to make the community better (such as The Slider Project, Gorge Freeride Association, Columbia River Keepers).

But most importantly I'll need feedback regarding the stories and tales of the Hood. The unique the bizarre, the legendary stuff of Hood River's past. That lore deserves to be documented and shared.

We all know this place is special. I want to hear why it is from you. You can do this by emailing me directly (lance@ionimagery.com), calling me (503.544.6387) or just stopping me on the street.

You can also do it by clicking this link and posting your suggestion on the Tales from the Hood Facebook page. There the Native peeps will be giving away sunglasses. I think it's a weekly give away, I also think the more you post the better your chances to win are.

Thanks again everyone for the support.

Rest in Peace- Aaron Robinson

Aaron was a rising star on the international snowboarding extreme scene and a great person. I had the opportunity to shoot with him the last couple years in Snowbird. He will be sorely missed by many.

Below are a few images from my work with him on The North Face Masters extreme tour.
-lk

From First Tracks
El Colorado, Chile -Snowboarder Aaron Robinson, a two-time winner of The North Face Masters of Snowboarding, has perished in a fall in Chile.

Robinson, 24, was riding in a popular backcountry area known as Santa Teresita, adjacent to the El Colorado ski area, on Tuesday when he fell and hit his head on exposed rocks. It’s accessible via one of the resort’s lifts and delivers skiers to the resort’s access road, where a quick thumb or a spotted car provides return to the ski area.

Robinson, of Whitefish, Mont., was a team rider for K2 Snowboarding, Volcom and Airblaster.

Gitty Up

Another sneak look at the Slingshot Team shoot. Here Alex Fox get's his cowboy on.

Sneak Peek- Slingshot 2012 shoot

Triple 14 hour days- the Slingshot shoot going on right now is a brutal one. I am so stoked on the results however... the talent, locations, personalities make doing my job a total dream.

We had some pretty cool clouds late into the evening our first day... the results were pretty dramatic. In this shot Eric Reinstra rips a fat railey in far eastern gorge secret spot.

Support your native photographer

Native Eyewear is on the hunt for a photographer to document the unique, the bizarre... and I could use your help to be a part of it. "Tales from the Hood" is an online event seeking to find the perfect photographer/writer combo to capture the essence of the Hood River community.

To document the personalities and characters would be an honor. But beware Hood River locals- if selected I will come a calling to capture your story.

So click the LINK and like Native and like me.

Thanks for the support!