Ski Salt Lake Shootout

2012 Photographers & Athletes 
The 2012 Shootout has some amazing talent behind the lens, and in front of it. Read on to find out more about our participating photographers or click over to check out the athletes. 

Check out past participants from 2011 photographers, athletes, 2010 participants, and beyond.

Michael Brown

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Website: michaelbrownmedia.com

Photographer and filmmaker Mike Brown developed a passion for the outdoors and the lens growing up in the Wasatch. Inspired by the endless visual possibilities found in the mountains and throughout our lives, he seeks images and stories with impact and dynamic aesthetics.
Spending the past two summers filming and photographing in South America for the Sweetgrass Productions film Solitaire, Mike is now on his fifth consecutive winter without a summer break. Despite all the cold, he still looks forward to each coming storm with dreams of overhead faceshots and bottomless landings.
After placing top three in the 2010 shootout, he is excited to return in 2012.

Erik Hostetler

Hometown: Sandy, Utah

My parents put me on skis when I was a three, but the hook was set when I got my first snowboard at age eleven. Since then being in the mountains has been my passion. I moved to Utah from Oregon as soon as I graduated highschool to try to be a pro snowboarder. After a few small film parts with wind up films and way to many injuries I made the switch to the other side of the lens. Snowboarding is still my main passion and on big pow days,I often put the camera away to enjoy the great Utah snow for myself. You can see my work world wide in various snow publications.

Steven Lloyd

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Website: http://www.stevelloydphoto.com/ 

Much of the world sees Utah's Wasatch Mountains through the vision of photographer Steve Lloyd. With photos published everywhere from Powder and Bike Magazine to commercial shoots for the likes of Karhu and Black Diamond, Lloyd has positioned himself as one of today's leading action sports photographers. 
A Utah native, Steve Lloyd's talent for photography has grown alongside his passion for the outdoors. He continually strives to capture the raw essence and emotion of the sports and athletes he documents through color, light, and motion. His photography captures the dedication and commitment of modern athletes, profiled in the most dramatic-and even subtle-of outdoor settings.

Patrick Orton

Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Website: patrickortonphotography.com

Patrick is a 23 year old outdoor adventure photographer based out of Bozeman, Montana. Patrick supports his skiing habit with a balance of Commercial, Stock, and Editorial photography. He spends his winters documenting the passionate lifestyle and love of skiing. His eye for capturing unique moments in stunning locations allows him to consistently produce quality imagery. Patrick's work has been published by National Geographic, Microsoft, MSN, Ski Journal, Skiing Magazine, Backcountry, Golf Magazine and many other national and international publications. You can follow Patrick's work and learn more about him at http://www.patrickortonphotography.com/.

Mike Schirf

Hometown: Utah
Website: mikeschirf.com

As a Utah native, skiing and the mountains has always been a huge part of my life. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I decided to chase my dream of being a professional photographer. I spent my life savings buying and flipping a condo. The gamble worked and I used the money I made to buy my camera gear.
I have always been fascinated with the idea of being able to capture a moment in time that can inspire and create emotion. It's the countless skiing images I come across that inspire and create emotion in me that motivates me to try and create my own. I'm reminded each time I look through the viewfinder how difficult that is, but when it does happen, for me there is no better feeling.

Rylan Schoen

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Website: rylanschoen.com

Being currently based out of Seattle, WA, the North Cascades have provided countless excuses to get out of the city and explore the alpine. At some point in the recent past I realized I needed to create long term support for my skiing addiction. Already with a budding interest in photography, combining the two seemed to fit. The focus of my work has been capturing the beauty of the snowy alpine. The quiet landscapes and the wonderful light draw me further into the backcountry every year. I understand that I am a part of a select few that get to really appreciate the million dollar views I explore on a daily basis. My ability to share with the world what I love most, ignites a passion that anything else has yet to match.

Andrew Strain

Hometown: Whistler
Website: andrewstrain.com

Andrew Strain is an outdoor action, landscape and lifestyle photographer from Whistler, BC. His true passion lies in documenting the vast wilderness of British Columbia and the people who explore it.
During the summer months, Andrew works in the mineral exploration industry as a prospector - the immense landscape and unparalleled beauty of the Cordillera is what inspired him to pick up a camera in the first place .
A passionate snowboarder, Andrew has travelled across western North America photographing skiing and snowboarding for editorial and commercial clients, as well as competing in photography competitions such as Whistler's Deep Winter Photo Challenge and the Ski Salt Lake Shootout, placing 3rd and 2nd, respectively. A splitboard has allowed Andrew to push beyond resort boundaries and into the world-class backcountry surrounding Whistler and Pemberton.
All told, Andrew spends close to 300 days per year working and playing in the BC Coast Ranges.

Kevin Winzeler

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Website: kevinwinzeler.com

When asked what differentiates Kevin from other photographers, it's been said there's a "literal" feeling of being there; "You can smell the sand, feel the sweat running down a brow, hear the oars kissing the water, feel the crisp morning air. Kevin tells a story but better yet, brings the viewer into the action, place and lifestyle unlike other photographers. It's like he's breaking fourth wall and inviting the audience into the story and then guiding them gently along the path." As an award winning photographer and emerging film maker, Winzeler is driven by imagery that inspires activity and immediately places the the viewer within tangible grasp of moment, space and time.
A few of Kevin's Clients include: Adobe Systems, Backpacker Magazine, Black Diamond, Columbia Sportswear, Google, Hoyt, Inc, Johnson Outdoors, LDS Church, Northwestern Mutual, NRS, Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, Powder, Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer), Salomon Sports, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Skiing Magazine, Skullcandy, Struck Axiom, Utah Tourism Board, Trail Runner Magazine, University of Utah, University of Phoenix, Xango.