My Work as a Ski Director of Photography
Ski Director of Photography:
My work as an on-snow cinematographer
How I Became a Snowboard Athlete and Ski Cinematographer…
I grew up skiing and snowboarding in Washington State. I don’t really remember the experience I had on skis but I was told it was around two years old. I had those cute little rubber things between the tips of my skis to prevent me from doing the splits and, since then, it’s always been a big part of my life. When I was in middle school, I thought skiing was the less cool option (because it was what my parents did) so I made the switch to snowboarding to be similar to my friends that enjoyed skateboarding and surfing with me. Board sports ruled my childhood and early twenties but after creating the award winning documentary, THE MOUNTAIN GUIDE, I learned that skis was a really efficient way to move in the backcountry.
Gaining confidence on snow over the years
So, after 20 years of on snow experience it’s no wonder that working with cameras as an on-snow snowboard cinematographer and ski director of photography doesn’t come with many challenges.
When I’m working as a ski steadicam operator or a snowboard steadicam operator I sometimes get asked by clients or friends if it’s difficult to ski with this sort of equipment. I don’t want to sound conceited when saying “oh, for me it’s just like walking” but the reality of spending about 30 days a year on snow for over 10 years means that you do start to gain some confidence ski athlete or snowboard athlete.
My Job Duties as a Ski Director
My job as a ski director and snowboard director takes a lot of forms. For the most part, my business is broken down into two main areas: Director or Camera Operator
Ski Commercial Director
My job as a commercial snow sports director typically means working directly with a client to help them achieve their vision. Whether I’m working on an adaptive snow sports branded documentary or a lifestyle ski commercial with larger agency, the goal is the same. To create the best possible product for my client. As a ski director it’s important to not just be in charge of what happens with the camera but look at the film holistically and oversee every stage of the creative process. Pre-production, production, and post-production all play a major role in creating high-quality ski films so it’s my responsibility to take care of every stage of the process.
In case you’re wondering how I create high quality ski commercials as a snow sports director, click the button below to learn more about my three step approach to filmmaking.
“People weren’t made to fly, that’s why we make kickers.”
Snowboard Videography / Ski Director of Photography
First off, there’s a lot of ambiguous language when it comes to cinematography, videography and director of photography so I’ll just take a second to clear that up before I begin delving into what I do on the camera operating side of things. A snowboard videographer or ski videographer is somebody who is normally responsible for capturing footage of skiing.
This can take all sorts of forms from camera operating on documentaries and events. Typically, the word “videographer” refers to somebody who is more run and gun and usually operates alone as a solo filmmaker.
On-Snow Steadicam Operator: Specialized Ski Camera Operator
A ski cinematographer or snowboard cinematographer is an individual who is slightly more specialized and operates in the hierarchy of a more typical snow sports video production. A snow sport cinematographer may be working as a on-snow steadicam operator or just general ski camera operator or snowboard camera operator. This means they’re holding the camera while moving efficiently around the mountain. A ski director of photography or snowboard director of photography is often used interchangeably with the word “cinematographer” but it can also mean somebody who oversees the entire camera department for a snow sports production.
So, now that understand the terms what do I enjoy doing the most?
I am mostly working as ski director these days - meaning I oversee the entire production of a ski commercial or snowboard commercial. My other most common role is working as a ski director of photography. As a snowboard camera operator and ski camera operator capable of taking cameras to the most extreme mountainous terrain, I find that it’s especially important to put yourself in the right position to get the shot.
Finally, while I think the term “videographer” isn’t the best way to describe a ski camera operator or snowboard camera operator, it is a common way for the general public to understand what I do when I carry a camera around the mountain filming professional skiers and riders.
Why I Love Working as a Ski Director
One of the best parts about working as a ski director and snowboard director isn’t actually the fresh powder days, as one might imagine. The highlight of this job for me is the amazing people who stories I get to share.
I create positive and uplifting stories about hope, joy and adventure
The ski and snowboard industry has a history of making really amazing adventurous films with professional skiers and professional snowboarder‘s pushing the limits of what can be done in the mountains. However, my goal as a ski director and ski director of photography is to share those uplifting and emotional human stories set against the backdrop of the snow sports industry.
I’ve worked as a ski director for branded documentaries about snow sports adaptive athletes. I’ve taken on the role as a ski director of photography for commercials about amazingly talented and empathic female snowboarders.
For me, it’s more about the impact I can make from these snow sports videos rather than pursuing a sendy mentality of “let’s go huck that cliff for the 8th time to get the shot.” I’m glad there’s people doing that because I love watching it, but it’s just not me.
Chat with Colorado Ski Cinematographer Roo Smith
Roo is a commercial/documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Boulder, Colorado but travels all around the world for his filmmaking career.
He has produced films for Outside Magazine in Ireland, camera operated for Netflix in the Rocky Mountain West, photographed among indigenous communities in Peru and Ecuador, directed videos with professional climbers in Mexico and has received notable recognition in his hometown of Orcas Island in Washington State for his work telling uplifting stories in the outdoor space.