In the outdoor world, one group is often overlooked. Walking twice as far and carrying more than double the load of anyone else, the photographer is an unsung hero that helps shape  outdoor culture with their unique view on things. From their life behind the shutter, photographers have set the stage for others to bask in the spotlight. They are true craftsmen that have perfected their skills by learning, doing, failing, and succeeding. We wanted to shift focus, offering a glimpse behind the imagery that we have all enjoyed for so long, showing you the mountains from ‘A Different Perspective´.

Capturing nature at its most spectacular and athletes at their limits – what else can we add to Melody Sky’s bio that she hasn’t already written? Perhaps the fact that the incredible photography, filmmaking, and graphic design career she’s carved out for herself has been entirely self-propelled? Maybe the fact that she was one of the first women in the world to have ski footage broadcast on a global scale? Or should we mention where it all began, alongside her wave-riding Dad in the Cornish surf – the setting for her first ever action sports photography experience as a child? Melody’s self-made story is the culmination of many narrative strands, all of which have led her to some of the most fascinating adventures in the outdoor world.

Swedish photographer Daniel Bernstål’s introduction to action sports isn’t particularly unique - after seeing his brother make his first fresh tracks on a mountain, he became hooked on snowboarding. But the style in which he shoots is undeniably different. His intense use of flashguns helps capture epic moments in a vibrant style that has pumped personality and fun into many of his snowboard magazine spreads, skateboarding projects, and commercial gigs. The giants of action sports media couldn’t agree more. “A stylish handplant is always worth a photo,” Snowboard Magazine wrote in 2018. “But a handplant captured by Swedish photographer and snowboarder Daniel Bernstål is another thing entirely. Bernstål plays with light and shadow to cosmically contrast the rider from his environment.”

It’s no exaggeration to say Tero Repo is a giant of winter sports photography. Tero boasts snowboarding goliaths Jeremy Jones and the De Le Rue brothers among his regular clients, and the mountains of Antarctica, Japan, Greenland, and Alaska as his go-to office spaces. While his bold approach to giving the mountains as much focus as their riders makes his style so recognisable and sought-after, the Finnish creative’s work exists beyond the thousands of photos he’s had published in magazines. You’ll find his punchy style in luxe watch campaign imagery, piercing portraits of ice hockey brutes, brand photos with F1 champions, and more. 

Same shot, different day.

In a bid to bring bold creativity back to the outdoors, we’ve launched the A Different Perspective photo competition: a Europe-wide contest to help us find, support, and celebrate the new crop of adventure photographers who go their own way and embrace a different perspective from behind the lens.

The prize: One lucky entrant win: flights, transfers and hotel accommodation in Verbier, Switzerland (February 16-18th) including a full day riding and shooting with Klättermusen, and Klättermusen top-to-toe ski outfit. 

Finalists will be selected by world-class adventure photographers Tero Repo, Melody Sky, and Daniel Bernstål, with the overall winner being decided by public vote.