jimmy chin photography

From unclimbed alpine towers in Pakistan's Karakoram mountains, to the deserts of west Africa, Jimmy's photographic assignments have taken him to the far corners of the planet. His diverse photography portfolio covers everything from surfing waves in Baja to surfing backcountry powder around his hometown, Jackson, Wyoming.

Some of Jimmy's recent assignments include photographing the cover story for Outside Magazine of Stephen Koch's attempt to snowboard the Direct North Face of Mount Everest; traversing the Chang Tang Plateau in northwestern Tibet with Rick Ridgeway, Conrad Anker and Galen Rowell, shooting video and still photography for National Geographic; and climbing the world's tallest freestanding sandstone towers while shooting for The North Face in Mali, Africa. In the Spring of 2004, Jimmy climbed Mount Everest with David Breashears and Ed Viesturs, while shooting the documentary video and production stills for a feature Universal Studios film.

As a photojournalist, an adventure sports photographer and sponsored North Face athlete, Jimmy has the physical and technical skills to shoot subjects few others can approach. His versatility as an athlete provides him a unique understanding of the sports, the people, the lifestyles and the expeditions that he photographs.

Always in search of the perfect moment, Jimmy's work as a commercial photographer and photojournalist is both elegant and expressive. His creative eye and attention to detail have won him accolades from a wide variety of commercial and editorial clients, including National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, Outside Magazine, ESPN Magazine, The North Face, Patagonia, Timex and others.

National Geographic and Microsoft recently recognized Jimmy's work by awarding him an Emerging Explorers Grant for representing the next generation of outstanding adventurers, photographers and storytellers . At the 2004 Telluride Mountain Film Festival, Jimmy was also presented with the first Galen Rowell Memorial Photography Award for excellence and breadth in adventure photography.

"Whether climbing and photographing on Mount Everest's treacherous North Face, following endangered antelope across a grueling Tibetan plateau, or achieving first ascents of giant granite towers in Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains, Jimmy Chin is all about going to extremes. His passion for exploration and photography takes him around the world on breakthrough expeditions. Using his unique blend of physical and technical skills, Jimmy and his camera find their way into the places, conditions, and moments few others can capture.""

- National Geographic, Emerging Explorers Grant Program

"Jimmy is at the top of the short list for The North Face. From the big walls of Pakistan to the crest of the Sierras, Jimmy is the photographer for the job. Jimmy is that rare combination of a world class climber and a world class photographer. He consistently delivers what we are looking for: creative, dynamic and impactful photography that tells the story of NorthFace athletes on difficult expeditions. Indeed, he is a pleasure to work with."