6 SCHOLARSHIPS. SNOW EDITION.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11/8.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11/8.
Credit: Nikki Smith
OPEN
PHOTOGRAPHY &
FILM CLINIC
FILM CLINIC
APERTURE
OFFERING SIX SCHOLARSHIPS
EACH YEAR
No one can better tell the story of an underrepresented group's experience better than those directly affected. Open Aperture is a photography clinic for underrepresented groups within the outdoor community that sponsors six participants each year. Participants have the opportunity to hone their skills and empower each other to showcase their perspectives with the support of Nikki Smith, a professional adventure photographer and MHW Team Athlete. Because equality in outdoor recreation starts with visibility, but visibility requires the right tools... Why not a camera?
Credit: Nikki Smith
Too many people from underrepresented communities feel that outdoor spaces and activities are not safe for them nor have participants like them involved. Some of this is due to a lack of inclusion and representation in outdoor media showcasing the outdoors.
We want to better equip marginalized communities to tell their own stories because the more media-makers we have in these underrepresented communities, the more opportunity there is to share their stories and show that everyone belongs in the outdoors.
First hosted in 2019, Open Aperture was created for those interested in learning more about outdoor photography and videography. Each year, we select six participants for an all-expenses-paid opportunity to start experimenting in outdoor settings
from rock to trail to snow.
Credit: Irene Yee
LED BY MHW TEAM ATHLETE
NIKKI SMITH
In 2018, I came out publicly as trans. I've been a climber for 30 years and worked in the outdoor industry for 24 and had never seen or heard of another trans climber. Over time, not seeing anyone like me made it hard to think I'd be accepted.
I still remember vividly the day that changed, and I saw an article about a trans climber. It gave me so much hope. Since then, I've made a personal commitment to use my photography to better represent not only the queer community but other underrepresented communities.
In my career, I've been a freelancer and staff photographer, and have taught photography for the Rock & Ice Photo Camp, and workshops at other events. As I taught, I saw that the people typically attending these classes mostly looked like the stereotype of who recreates in the outdoors. I started to think of ways to help change this and thought if I could get industry support to bring photographers from underrepresented communities together, we could make a real change and empower others to tell the stories of their own communities better.
Mountain Hardwear has been very open and receptive to initiatives I've proposed that have pushed them into new territory in the outdoors. Having a brand trust me enough to support a program like this is an amazing vote of confidence in me and the vision for change.
I still remember vividly the day that changed, and I saw an article about a trans climber. It gave me so much hope. Since then, I've made a personal commitment to use my photography to better represent not only the queer community but other underrepresented communities.
In my career, I've been a freelancer and staff photographer, and have taught photography for the Rock & Ice Photo Camp, and workshops at other events. As I taught, I saw that the people typically attending these classes mostly looked like the stereotype of who recreates in the outdoors. I started to think of ways to help change this and thought if I could get industry support to bring photographers from underrepresented communities together, we could make a real change and empower others to tell the stories of their own communities better.
Mountain Hardwear has been very open and receptive to initiatives I've proposed that have pushed them into new territory in the outdoors. Having a brand trust me enough to support a program like this is an amazing vote of confidence in me and the vision for change.
Credit: Clayton Herrmann
SUPPORTED BY MHW VP OF MARKETING
MATT BURBACH
In a conversation with Nikki Smith regarding how Mountain Hardwear could support underrepresented people and communities in outdoor spaces, we as a brand knew that there was (and still is) far more work to be done. As an individual member of our community, I felt strongly about using whatever influence I might have to take action.
A large part of my career has revolved around showing climbing through print and digital media, and I agreed with Nikki’s observations. We needed to create an opportunity to show people of color and marginalized groups participating in the outdoors.
But the “right” way to do this is debatable. Our goal is to show real, authentic experiences through the point of view of our community and to create a valuable experience for the participants of this program. We don’t presume to hold the answers, but as we continue to be thoughtful in our approach, we’re optimistic that Open Aperture will drive change and bring more people of all backgrounds into focus.
A large part of my career has revolved around showing climbing through print and digital media, and I agreed with Nikki’s observations. We needed to create an opportunity to show people of color and marginalized groups participating in the outdoors.
But the “right” way to do this is debatable. Our goal is to show real, authentic experiences through the point of view of our community and to create a valuable experience for the participants of this program. We don’t presume to hold the answers, but as we continue to be thoughtful in our approach, we’re optimistic that Open Aperture will drive change and bring more people of all backgrounds into focus.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
ALL OPEN APERTURE
PARTICIPANTS SINCE 2019
Joseph
Waybenais
Waybenais
HE/HIM
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Eddie
Negrete
Negrete
HE/HIM
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Jay
Louie
Louie
THEY/THEM
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Abby
Crisostomo
Crisostomo
SHE/HER
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Kristi
Arroyo
Arroyo
SHE/THEY
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Yohannes
Berhane
Berhane
HE/HIM
2023 ALUM
2023 ALUM
Ryan
Calacsan
Calacsan
HE/HIM
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
Alexa
Forester
Forester
SHE/HER
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
April
Espinoza
Espinoza
SHE/HER
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
Jocelyn Ling
Malan
Malan
SHE/HER
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
Janelly
Pineda
Pineda
SHE/HER
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
Dorothy
Wang
Wang
SHE/HER
2022 ALUM
2022 ALUM
Lani
Gailey
Gailey
SHE/HER
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
Rebecca
Ross
Ross
SHE/HER
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
Bobbie
Lee
Lee
THEY/THEM
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
Trevor
Riley
Riley
HE/HIM
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
Laura
DeFrain
DeFrain
THEY/THEM
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
David
Lee
Lee
HE/HIM
2021 ALUM
2021 ALUM
Jaylyn Sabrina
Gough
Gough
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Sam
Ortiz
Ortiz
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Janelle
Paciencia
Paciencia
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Bree
Robles
Robles
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Jason
Hinds
Hinds
HE/HIM
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Tiffany M
Blount
Blount
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Atim
Enyenihi
Enyenihi
SHE/HER
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
Cody
Kaemmerlen
Kaemmerlen
HE/HIM
2019 ALUM
2019 ALUM
A FEW WORDS ABOUT
YEARS PAST
“
Native people are rarely seen or heard in the climbing community. To me, that translates into a loud statement saying that we Native people don’t belong and aren’t respected. Through this experience I have a great desire to assist in showing other Native people their worth and providing them with an opportunity that I had and to share their own stories.
”
JAYLYN GOUGH, SHE/HER
“
I’d never once been invited into a space that was fully dedicated to uplifting the narratives and skills of underrepresented communities like mine. A space where I would not have to explain myself, my skin, and my identity. But it shook me with nervousness to take part in. I’ve not always been proud of being me. Of being a Korean-American. Those four days, and the beautifully courageous humans I have been so honored to share them with, have filled my heart with love in ways that words cannot do proper justice.
”
CODY KAEMMERLEN, HE/HIM
“
It's almost as if this experience has woken us up to the power we have to influence the outdoor recreation scene.
”
CHEYENNE SMITH, SHE/HER
“
From jugging up a rope and hanging off the side of a cliff looking through a lens to editing, this camp opened my eyes to a new space to tinker, make mistakes, and learn.
”
JASON HINDS, HE/HIM
Credit: Nikki Smith
Credit: Bree Robles
Credit: Nikki Smith
Credit: Jay Louie
Credit: Ryan Calacsan
Credit: Jocelyn Ling
Malan
