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Specialty: What is Outdoor/Adventure Photography?

BY Sonia Klug 21 November 2022
Outdoor/Adventure Intel, Evergreen, Specialty

Red Bull is not only at the forefront of jaw-dropping stunts but they are also exceptionally good at capitalizing on the hype. This has made their brand one of the most recognized in the world and synonymous with outdoor and adventure photography.

Table of Contents

  • What is Adventure Photography?
  • What is Outdoor Photography?
  • What it Takes to do Outdoor/Adventure Photography
  • What Skills do You Need?
  • Getting Hired
  • Editorial Adventure Photography
  • On Assignment
  • Conclusion and Key Considerations
Tearsheet of an image taken by adventure photographer Will Saunders where a climber has pushed away from a sheer cliff face high above the dessert floor.
Will Saunders captures the incredible moment a climber is in free fall from a sheer cliff-face in Indian Creek, Utah.

Their global magazine, The Red Bulletin, and the Red Bull Illume Award for adventure photography are amongst the most respected in the world. But this specialty is not just about newsworthy daredevil stunts. Since the pandemic, the business has been booming for outdoor brands. Even companies like Apple are trying to get in on the outdoor trend. Many photos selected for Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” challenge fall into travel and adventure photography categories.

What is Adventure Photography?

Adventure photography picks up where lifestyle photography leaves off, showing people involved in extreme sports or other rigorous outdoor activities. It demonstrates the photographer’s ability to tackle remote locations and/or adrenaline-fueled action.

What is Outdoor Photography?

Outdoor photography includes hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. Either one can be highly-produced or more journalistic in approach.

Adventure photographer, Will Saunders' birds-eye-view of two people kayaking over a dark lake with camping gear. The image is a cover for Outside Magazine and has a bold title - "Adventure Lives".
Will Saunders expresses the breadth of outdoor and adventure photography in his work.

What it Takes to do Outdoor/Adventure Photography

The one thing all three photographers we interviewed for this article have in common is an obsession with the outdoors. In this specialty, being able to get to a location and keeping up with professional athletes is a vital requirement of the job.

Will Saunders, the overall winner of Redbull Illume’s 2021 photo contest, says you need a certain grit to be in this industry:

I think one thing that an outdoor adventure photographer needs to have is a sense of gentle grit. What I mean by that is the outdoor photographer needs to be gentle to get the intimate moments and really break through to athletes and get those moments in between, if you’re not gentle and you push too hard, you won’t get genuine reactions. Simultaneously, the photographer needs to have major grit. The type of grit that gets you out of the cold tent before the athletes have even woken up. Grit that pushes you to be faster than the athletes all while having a heavier pack. The type of grit where you can push past hunger, sleep, and homesickness.

Philadelphia-based adventure photographer Steve Boyle says that you need to be a part of the lifestyle and be able to get to where the action is: 

Access is 95% of the shot. You need to be able to do rock climbing, paddling, biking, rigging, and hiking to get you and your gear to the locations. The best adventure photographers are embedded in the adventure sports community and are often adventurers themselves.

Tearsheet of a downhill trail cyclist making a jump over a rock in a forest. The image is overlayed with information about the bike's electronic gears.
Steve Boyle‘s image of a trail cyclist featured in Bicycling Magazine.

This is why adventure photography is highly specialized. Telford, England-based adventure photographer Ross Woodhall says, 

My specialty is winter sports, so getting around the mountain and keeping up with sensational skiers and boarders is key. It’s the same with climbing, if you want to shoot climbing photography then you’d better become a fantastic climber first.

Tearsheet featuring an image by outdoor and adventure photographer Ross Woodhall of an alpine skier tackling a steep, snowy slope at high speed.
Ross Woodhall tackles the slopes along with the talent to capture energetic images like this one for Snow + Rock.

What Skills do You Need?

Even more so than other photography, adventure and outdoor photographers need to know their cameras inside out. They must be able to use it almost instinctively while dangling from a rope or riding on horseback. The Ketchum, Idaho-based outdoor and adventure photographer Hillary Maybery says, 

You must know your camera! Adventure photography takes quick reflexes. Sometimes you only get one chance. The only way to achieve this is to practice so that it becomes second nature. You also need patience while waiting for the right moment to happen.

A cover image of a skier jumping through bushes covered in a few feet of soft powder, taken by Hillary Maybery.
A few of Hillary Maybery‘s outdoor and adventure photography covers.
Adventure photography runs in her veins as Hillary gets knee-deep into the river water to capture this cover image of a fisherwoman's catch.
Hillary likes to get in on the action when shooting adventure and outdoor photographs.

But it’s not just the photography you have to worry about. Steve says, 

You also need to be prepared for changing weather conditions and be able to protect yourself and your equipment. You could add meteorological knowledge as a technical skill. But if you’re in cell service, you’ve got radar and weather apps as well as sun tracking apps to help.

His pro tip is to make sure his equipment stays dry in the rain:

Always carry a few zip lock bags and an emergency poncho in your bag.

Getting Hired

In a very niche field – for example, free climbing or base jumping – it’s often about being plugged into the community, knowing the athletes, and being able to get access. This can give photographers an advantage as they have an exclusive shot or story to offer. However, you still need to be able to build relationships with clients, such as outdoor brands, adventure holiday companies, or advertising agencies.

Being proactive also helps. Salt Lake City adventure photographer Keith Fearnow decided to do a self-assigned project with three trail-running friends in the desert. His friends were ambassadors for an outdoor brand, so he offered the photos he had taken to this brand. This prompted the company to commission him for several shots.

Keith Fearnow's cover for Trail Runner magazine features a woman high-up on a scrub-covered mountainside at dawn.
Keith Fearnow had to work hard to get this beautiful backdrop for the cover image of Trail Runner Magazine.

Will also recommends building a strong relationship with your producer:

The first person I hire on a job is a producer. I can’t do a job without one, they are the most helpful part of any shoot from pre-pro to post. The producer and I work on building budgets, realistic location options, and building out the crew.

A screenshot of Merrell's website showing multiple images of people running, climbing, and hiking through rough mountain terrain. A prime example of commercial use for adventure photography.
Will’s adventurous spirit and active lifestyle helps him when it comes to getting the perfect shot for an adventure and outdoor campaign like this one for Merrell.

Editorial Adventure Photography

Most editorial photographers start off by offering projects they have already shot to editors. Once they are established, they may start pitching ideas or are even approached with a commission. Making a name for yourself in your field and building relationships with editors and clients is essential.

Screenshot of Trailrunner magazine's feature on Chris Fisher. Keith took the images of Chris hiking part of his 400 000 foot ascent.
Keith Fearnow followed trail runner, Chris Fisher, as he completed a World Record for elevation gain in one month. The project was featured in Trail Runner Magazine.

On Assignment

Of course, there are limitations to what can be done in terms of lighting, camera angles, and set-ups when it comes to outdoor and adventure photography, given the remote locations and often fast-moving athletes. Frequently, the biggest challenge is to get the equipment to the site. So there are now more and more photographers who opt for mirrorless camera equipment. Mirrorless cameras are lighter and more compact than DSLRs. But, regardless of the camera equipment, knowing it like the back of your hand is crucial.

Hillary says, 

A good backpack is very important! I only carry two lenses because of the weight and am able to move faster and cover more ground throughout the day. I use a chest pack to keep my camera accessible. When you have all your stuff in a backpack it takes time to get your camera out and at the ready each time you need it.

Will's image forms the homepage of Arcteryx's website and features six people on a high peak wearing Arcteryx's gear.
Will took this image for the renowned outdoor and adventure brand, Arcteryx’s homepage.

Conclusion and Key Considerations

Photography can be a very competitive field. But, being able to access remote outdoor spaces is not just exciting for photographers who are keen adventurers but also allows them to build relationships and pitch exclusive ideas. Or, in Ross’ words, “Photograph what you love doing, and you won’t go wrong.”

Further Reading

  1. Wonderful Machine: Creative In Place: The Outdoor Type
  2. Wonderful Machine: Adventure in Landscape: Charles Borries for Mashpi Lodge
  3. Wonderful Machine: Specialty: Sports and Fitness

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