Mountain Hardwear Announces Fifth Annual Open Aperture Photo Clinic

October 24, 2024

Celebrating Five Years of Empowering Underrepresented Voices in Outdoor Photography

Richmond, Calif. [October 24, 2024] /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/– Mountain Hardwear is thrilled to announce the launch of the fifth edition of the Open Aperture Photo Clinic, a transformative program dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities through the art of outdoor photography and videography. This year’s clinic, taking place in winter 2025, will introduce a new focus on snowsports, further expanding the scope and impact of this initiative.

The Open Aperture Photo Clinic, spearheaded by Mountain Hardwear athlete Nikki Smith, has been a beacon of opportunity since its inception in 2019. Smith, a National Geographic Adventure contributing photographer with over 20 years of professional experience in climbing and outdoor photography, continues to drive the program’s mission to break down barriers and provide marginalized communities with the tools and skills they need to tell their stories through outdoor photography.

“We’re dedicated to fostering greater diversity in mountain sports,” said Matt Burbach, VP of Marketing of Mountain Hardwear. “Open Aperture gives us the opportunity to genuinely broaden our community of outdoor enthusiasts, enriching it with diverse voices both behind the camera and in front of it.”

Program Highlights:

• Focus: This year’s clinic will spotlight snowsports for the first time, offering participants a unique opportunity to delve into winter outdoor photography.
• Participants: Six talented individuals from underrepresented communities will be selected to join the program, which covers all expenses including transportation, accommodations, and gear.
• Dates: Applications open on October 24, with the clinic scheduled for April 2025 at Timberline Lodge in Oregon.
• Curriculum: Participants will engage in comprehensive workshops including classroom sessions, in-the-field practice, and one-to-one mentorship with Nikki Smith.
• Legacy: Past graduates have gone on to contribute their skills to various outdoor brands, publications, and organizations, showcasing the lasting impact of the program.

“Open Aperture has grown remarkably over the past four years,” said Nikki Smith. “We’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when we empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to capture and share their perspectives. This year’s focus on snowsports continues to broaden our efforts to increase visibility in all aspects of outdoor sports and help change the narrative of who belongs in the outdoors.”

The program aims to enhance participants’ technical skills in photography and videography and strives to create a supportive community. Previous Open Aperture graduates will play an integral role in selecting this year’s participants and will return as mentors, fostering a cycle of growth and collaboration.

To learn more about Open Aperture please visit www.mountainhardwear.com/inspire/the-latest/open-aperture-photo-clinic. For more information about Mountain Hardwear and its award-winning products, please visit www.mountainhardwear.com.

About Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear, Inc., was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, CA. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we’ve built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world’s highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do — our designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort.

Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company that distributes its products through specialty outdoor retailers in the United States and 34 countries worldwide. www.mountainhardwear.com

Contact:

Seth Beiden
seth@sasquatchagency.com