Ben and Stacie

As a ski patroller in Alaska you learn quickly that the weather controls everything - including your wedding day. Ben and Stacie, two long time Alyeska patrollers, were hardly even phased when at noon on Aug. 3 - a few hours before their wedding ceremony -the Tram was forced to close down due to severe winds. Ben, Alyeska’s Ski Patrol Director, immediately started doing what he does best, improvising a new plan. Soon he had friends, family and colleagues transitioning the entire event to the base of the mountain. When I spoke with Ben at 1pm - I couldn’t help but laugh. If this had happened to just about anyone else it could have been a disaster, but for Ben it was just another day at work.

I just love the picture in front of the aid room - I think its my favorite. I’m probably bias as I remember when they both started dating years ago. When you work closely with a crew of people you can't help but become close friends and notice when their individual happiness just shines. I knew back then that they had found something truly special. Both Ben and Stacie have been such amazing friends over the years that I was really stoked to be able to photograph their wedding day. Despite the weather and logistics its pretty cool when two really great people discover each other and are willing to share that experience with their friends. Thanks Ben and Stacie.

Andy and Beatrice

Have you ever met one of those couples that you can’t help but feel a twinge of envy because their personalities are so insanely contagious they radiate pure fun where ever they go? That would be Andy and Beatrice.

I met Andy four years ago after he had transferred from Eagle Crest in Juneau to work for Alyeska’s ski patrol. I had returned late January after a little S. American sabbatical to find our record December snowfall had turned into a solid month of below zero temps. Needless to say morale was low. Andy’s enthusiasm was unique and over the next few months he had inspired our rather gloomy team to plan a giant end of the season party called Patrol Olympics. I don’t think any of us really knew what he was talking about, but as each of us stuffed beers into our pockets, jumped onto the chair lift, and followed him through the most ridiculous race course you’ve ever seen, Andy had somehow become everyone’s favorite patroller.

Bea was a bonus! I met her this same winter and was immediately impressed with her ease and wit. Any girl who can snap off a few jokes and then jump onto the Sitzmark dance floor to let Andy swing her around like a little rag doll is pretty special in my book. It’s been fun to get to know these two over the years, and just love the energy they share with everyone.

I was honored to have the opportunity to photograph their wedding this last weekend in their home town of Juneau. This would mark my first visit to Alaska’s capital and my first visit to Southeast. Wow!!! I can’t believe I have never made the journey. What a perfect place... a fun hip city with giant mountains coming straight out of the water, and abundant sealife and nightlife everywhere. And of course Andy and Bea’s friends and family are just like them; generous, stoked on life, and love to party!

Congratulations Andy and Bea!

There's so much more adventure yet to come.

Alaska's Wildest Women

Babes on Tour

Flight Lessons

Dress up

Lady in Red

Hey Bear

About a month ago my mother asked if I would put together a series of Alaskan Adventure photos to display in my father's art Gallery in Spokane for a summer showing. WA. http://www.johnthammstudios.blogspot.com/

After much thought, I felt it was important to tell a story about all of the things I love most about this amazing state; the incredible mountains, the obscure adventures, the wildlife, and most of all the creative women who love to play outside. Thanks Girls - I can't wait for the next adventure.

Lady in Red

Who says you can't wear the same dress twice?

All for the cause. Lady Gaga makes an appearance at the Sitzmark

Model, Artist and Photographer, Meghan Smith

Alyeska Ski Patrol had the honor of hiring Meghan Smith and she brought more than just her red cross. When asked to be one of the auctioned participants in the second annual fundraiser for the Alyeska Avalanche Dogs, she blew us away with her creative vision. A red dress made out of "vis" fence. For those of you who downhill ski, you might recognize this meshy material which is often used to create fences around lift lines and race courses, or to warn skiers of a hazard. Last week I met Meghan down in Homer and she modeled her amazing art piece one last time.

This wasn't Meghan's first rodeo. Check out her website and blog for a series of self portraits of Meghan's handmade dresses made out of recycled materials. http://www.lifethruglass.com/

http://whathercamerasees.blogspot.com/

A Total Eclipse Birthday

D700, 24mm, ISO 1000, f3.5, 30 seconds

Photo altered in Lightroom

Moon is fully eclipsed

D700, 200mm cropped, ISO 400, 1/3sec, f3.2

D700, 24mm, ISO 400, 20 seconds, f3.5

Full moon just as it was starting to eclipse

I can't think of a cooler gift than a total eclipse for my birthday. Im not sure I would have been able to endure the 0 degree temps without the fire pit, good friends, and tons of layers. Thanks for rallying up to Turnagain Pass everyone. All photos were taken in the Center Ridge parking lot in Turnagain Pass. Sunburst and Magnum are the peaks in the forground.

View From the Office

View of an early morning(9:45am) sunrise over Turnagain Arm and Penguin Ridge from the Top of Chair Six, Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK

Top of Alyeska looking through the barrel of a howitzer from the day lodge

State wide Gun refresher, October, Alyeska Resort

Artillery Tech, "Gordy"

View of the Top of Chair Six, Alyeska Resort

Taken from the weather station on Max's southwest ridge

Tim and new patroller, Yuki

Toboggan refresher on the top of Prospector.

I can't believe my last post was on September 3rd. I guess that's what happens when life gets too busy. The good news is I haven't put the camera down and have lots of new work that I'll try to keep posting over the next few weeks. I suppose I owe a brief update on all things new in my world. After two great years at Alaska Pacific University working for Rec Programs I decided to jump out of the pool and return to Alyeska Resort to work for Ski Patrol once again. The decision wasn't easy, but the opportunity to work outdoors again with a wonderful crew was too good to pass up.

We started our annual patrol training in early November and soon had the mountain set up and opened just in time for Thanksgiving. The combination of a few early snowstorms and a huge push by our snowmaking crew allowed us to open both the upper and lower mountain at the same time. A few weeks later the North Face was open. Although we are currently suffering a dry spell, the last three weeks of cold clear skies have provided for some amazing landscapes and fun backcountry turns.

Toby and Darcy

This might have been one of the most unique weddings I've ever photographed. On August 20th Toby and Darcy exchanged their vows after a nice hike up to Crow Pass above Girdwood, Alaska. The weather couldn't have been any nicer for such an intimate wedding tucked up into the high alpine tundra with family and a few friends.