Industry Profile: Photographer Jordan Ingmire

Job Title: Photographer
Employer: Self employed
Years on snow: 15
Days on snow: I don’t do drugs
Currently Riding: C3 stuff
Currently I am: Regrouping after a rousing game of Balderdash

Shay: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Jordan: I am not a fan of bills or money for that matter. I can’t work for or with people i don’t respect. I spend my time going from one adventure to the next. I shoot photos of snowboarding and spend most of my time in Washington State.

Shay: How has snowboarding changed your life?
Jordan: I started snowboarding at 13 so I wouldn’t say snowboarding changed my life, it shaped my life. Snowboarding has provided a path to happiness for me personally through adrenaline, productivity, passion, friendship and culture.

Shay: How did you get your start in the industry, who or what opened up more opportunities for you?
Jordan: I spent my time snowboarding around Stevens Pass with my friends shooting photos. Eventually I felt confident enough in my images to start sending them to the mags. After a few years of submitting I got lucky and scored a cover from Snowboarder Magazine early on which really kick started my motivation. The next year I used that cover shot to promote myself and was able to tag along on my first professional trip, well the riders were professionals I still had a lot to learn. I have found a way to progress my work each year and haven’t looked back.

Shay: How has your previous education or work experience helped you in your current job?
Jordan: My education from school and work experience have not helped me in my current job. I did take some photo classes during community college which laid a foundation in camera operation. Though I like to think I work with creativity and imagination rather then push buttons and spin dials.

Shay: Tell us about your role as a freelance photographer and a description of the work you do?
Jordan: I’m not out there hustling any photo gig I can to make $. I don’t shoot weddings or high school portraits. I shoot snowboarding all winter long and into the spring. I invest everything into snowboarding and photography; time, money, energy etc. Recently my main clients have been Stevens Pass and Arbor but I also work with a bunch of magazines US and International as well as many other brands; Volcom, RipCurl, Casual Industrees, Billabong, Lib-Tech, Pow Gloves…

Shay: If you had to make up a job title that most accurately described what you REALLY do, what would it be?
Jordan: It would be a really long title, motivator, alarm clock, day planner, set coordinator, lighting specialist, mountain climber, camera operator, guide, marketing director, sales, host, secretary…..

Shay: Describe the craziest day/moment you’ve had at your job?
Jordan: A moment that stands out for me was with Nick Ennen in Cooke City, MT. The boys were riding lines on a large face all morning. Nick pointed out a big cliff he was going to drop for his next line. Once he was in the line he realized it was too steep to see exactly where he was. He ended up misjudging his takeoff and airing over 100 ft. of rock vs. the planned 50 footer just down the ridge. I felt as if my heart stopped and time slowed down as he floated through the air. Nick is a beast and rode away from the feat unscathed. The shot later ran in TWS and will be seen in Wildcard Movies next film this coming fall. It was freaking intense!

Shay: What are some memorable experiences from working in the industry?
Jordan: Learning to snowmobile! Meeting awesome like minded people, snowboarding a lot, celebrating a lot

Shay: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the snowboard industry faces and what changes would you like to see for the future?
Jordan: I don’t involve myself much in the snowboard industry. I keep tabs on who is doing what as far as popular riders and photographers but other then that i pretty much just shred around in the pow, tree’s and fog of the NW. So I don’t think I’m suited to answer that question.

Shay: What advice would you give to people wanting to work as a photographer in the industry?
Jordan: Don’t be in it for the money – dream jobs are rare and highly sought after – Good luck

Find out more at:

Facebook: Jordan Ingmire Photography
Instagram: jordaningmire
Website: www.jordaningmire.com