Mark Fisher Gallerie

The ski photography world is a difficult one to break into; many try, few get a chance and even fewer succeed. For Mark Fisher, that opportunity came in 2008, when he paid out of pocket to join Teton Gravity Research on a heli trip to Alaska. From that five-figure gamble came a slew of images that, combined with an already adventurous lifestyle, would allow him to synthesize exploration and photography—and would earn him a life behind the lens. Underfunded and all-in with Mark Fisher.

Words Griffin Post


Much fanfare has been made about the arduous journey to pro skierdom. The tale usually begins amongst a pile of dishes at Alta’s Sitzmark, on a lonely first drive along BC’s Sea to Sky Highway or the first glimpse of the Front Range driving into Denver. Fueled solely by the love of skiing, the fledging ski magazine centerfold gets his or her big break through lots of hard work and a bit of luck, bursting onto the scene, never again to hastily throw an apron on over a pair of sweaty long underwear.

As captivating and well documented as these rags-to-riches tales are, a lesser-told story stars those behind the lens. For aspiring ski photographers, the road to success is not that dissimilar to their subjects, albeit even less glamorous. From early mornings hauling their 50-pound, “angry midget” backpack around the mountains to late nights in front of the computer trying to find that perfect RGB balance, aspiring photographers are equally subject to the whims of the industry as their subjects. They are also just looking for that break.


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