Hurts a Little and Means a Lot
Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada
Professional athlete and environmental sociologist Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada’s work explores the intersections between people and nature. A Colombian immigrant and woman of color, she’s on a mission to break down barriers in outdoor spaces. Though she didn’t grow up on snow, Vanessa dove in headfirst—and now takes up space through ski mountaineering, trail running, writing and public speaking. Follow her work on Instagram @vanessa_chav.
Soren Rickards
Originally from London, Soren Rickards made “a lucky escape” to the Alps at 18 and never looked back. After several years living in Chamonix—where it’s nearly impossible not to end up alongside some of the world’s top athletes and biggest outdoor brands—he carved out a path as a mountain sport photographer. Thirteen years later, he lives in Switzerland’s Valais region in a tiny home tucked among grapevines with his wife, Gaëlle—still chasing the outdoor bum dream and living paycheck to paycheck, and he says he “wouldn’t change a thing.” See more of his work at sorenrickardsphoto.com.
Matt Petricone
Matt Petricone is a photographer based out of Woodstock, NY, known for his organic approach to capturing lifestyle, action and product imagery. He’s worked with a range of brands and outlets across culture, style and beyond. A true East Coaster at heart, Matt has traveled the world but always returns home—though he admits he might make an exception for Japan (it’s still the East, after all). Follow his adventures @mattpetricone and passion project @yamanaminy.
Claire Hewitt-Demeyer
Hailing from South Lake Tahoe, CA, Claire Hewitt-Demeyer is a snowboarder and filmmaker driven by a love for human-powered adventure and a hope to inspire others to venture beyond the chairlift. Her latest film, Next Steps 2.0, earned two award nominations at IF3 and was featured in the Backcountry Film Festival, Pangea Film Tour, and Tahoe Backcountry Alliance showcase. Claire thrives on “type 2 fun”—the kind that hurts a little and means a lot. With every mission, she brings energy, heart and a deep belief in the power of outdoor storytelling.
Alex Clapin
Alex Clapin is a filmmaker based in Whistler, BC, focused on storytelling in the mountains and beyond. His work explores the people and communities behind sports like snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking and highlining—often drawn to the characters and chaos that define ski town life. When he’s not behind the camera, Alex is casually partaking in these sports, drinking too much coffee, and getting ready for life as a new dad. Find him on Instagram @alexclapin.
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