Behind the Vision
Case Study: Jackalope Fest Editorial
CLIENT:
Jackalope Fest
TOOLS:
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Sony a7c +gear
• Milanote
DELIVERABLES:
• Editorial Shoot Assets
• Social Content
No.1
The Strategic Vision
Objective: To capture the intersection of raw athleticism and community culture, utilizing a high-contrast, editorial aesthetic. I wanted to move away from standard event coverage and create a visual narrative that felt more authentic and curated. By drawing inspiration from the golden era of the X Games but viewing it through a modern, curated lens, I built a visual language that treated legends like Tony Hawk and Mitchie Brusco as editorial icons rather than just athletes in a competition.
The Look: Vintage Grit meets Modern Polish
- Inspired by the raw energy of 90s-2000s skate culture.
- Elevated with deep contrast and saturated colors to give the content a directorial edge.
No.2
Execution
For this project, I handled the production, staying agile on-site to capture high-energy moments as they happened. My strategy for production centered on visual anticipation—positioning myself out of the line of sight for candid shots and framing my compositions for where the athletes would land rather than where they started. By combining this spatial awareness with fast shutter speeds and a technical shot list, I was able to capture precise, in-the-moment frames that felt natural and unposed. This allowed me to capture the raw emotions and energy of the event while delivering polished, professional assets for Jackalope Fest’s digital channels.
The Focus:
• Dynamic Storytelling: Used composite frames to capture the full story of tricks, showcasing technical skill in a way a single photo can’t.
• Modern Editorial Edge: Balanced raw, high-action energy with a polished, modern finish optimized for digital distribution.
Post-Production
No.3
The Results
The strategic focus and editorial authenticity of this project led to immediate industry validation. The final images were published on the Jackalope Fest website, and they caught the attention of the industry’s biggest names. The work earned direct engagement from Tony Hawk and was reshared by Mitchie Brusco, proving the narrative resonated with the exact icons who define the culture. This organic reach confirmed the vision’s success: capturing raw, authentic grit while meeting the standards of a high-end digital rollout.
