MattiasFredriksson Photography

One of my favourite things about the ski and outdoor industry is the camaraderie. It’s often like truckers on the highway who greet each other with a honk or a wave, and I am sure these guys would help each other in any situation, just like mountain people.

This photo of Johan Jonsson, aka @jonsbert, was taken during a moment like that, on a beautiful February day in Engelberg, Switzerland. Filming and shooting on assignment for Salomon, our group ran into Johan and filmmaker Henrik “Bergman” Andersson. Instead of being frustrated that we were in the same area, we decided to work together and combine efforts, adding more cameras and eyes to the action. By sundown, after an epic day in the field, I noticed a fairly large cliff and asked if anyone had the energy to hit it. I didn’t really think anyone would, but Johan didn’t hesitate. An ex-racer who transitioned into freeskiing long ago, he developed a knack for photo composition. In this moment, he grasped my vision instantly, nailing it perfectly on the first try. Descending into the valley with headlamps, we quite appropriately joined the celebratory après scene at @skilodgeengelberg

This is one of eight photos in my photo exhibit, Alignment, that opens in my hometown, Terrace, B.C., tonight.