Photographers & Partners

2009-10 Partners

Big Sky Resort and select local athletes, photographers and film crews work together each winter to catch some of the very best shots of life in Big Sky, as well as show visiting journalists and photographers everything that this incredible area has to offer. Most of the athletes and photographers have worked with Big Sky Resort for years and we feel privileged to have such great talent right here.

If you are interested in joining our team for next season, please send your resume, along with references and what you'd like to contribute to the team to, Michel Tallichet  mtallichet@bigskyresort.com. Packets should be submitted by mid-September.

If you are in need of images or athletes, please contact our team members directly. Thank you.

Photographers

Gordon Wiltsie

Gordon Wiltsie is a photographer, writer, mountaineer and explorer whose work has taken him to some of earth's wildest and remotest regions, including numerous journeys to the Himalaya, the Andes, Canadian arctic, Antarctica and both geographic Poles. He is widely considered to be one of the most creative and prolific expedition photographers in the world and his work appears regularly in such international publications as National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, Outside, Geo, American Photographer, Terre Sauvage, Life, and most leading adventure and skiing magazines. He is also the principal photographer for three books and his images appear regularly in calendars, posters, advertising and many other formats.

Gordon, who was already an experienced climber and wilderness traveler in high school, began publishing his photography in national magazines while he was still in college in 1974. Since then he has combined a unique collection of skills to lead and/or photograph more than 100 expeditions to distant wilderness locations. These have varied from early, self-organized treks into the Himalaya, to treks and climbs in both the Himalaya and Antarctic interior, to full-scale polar expeditions accompanied by some of the world's most talented athletes.

Kene Sperry

Resident of Big Sky, MT since 2000, grew up in Kirkland, WA. Attended Washington State University, B.S., Photography and Business Entrepreneurship, 2000.

Since moving to Big Sky, I have been enjoying all of the activities the area has to offer, including skiing, biking and trekking around the mountains with my camera. I have been an avid skier since the age of five and now with photography I continue to express the freedom and the true soul of skiing through my eyes.

I completed two intensive photography programs at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, MT, in 2003. Concentration was in a variety of areas such as stock, lighting and wedding photography. There was a strong emphasis on the digital point of view with the myriad of activities occurring in the industry. An in-depth exposure to the state-of-the-art digital technology and experimentation into product development was a major focus. This training provided an opportunity to expand and grow as a photographer in developing my career.

Joe Irons

Professional Photographer/Flyfishing Guide
Graduated MSU-Bozeman, major in photography
Colorado born, migrated from Mammoth Mountain, CA in 1996
Flyfishing guide for 7 years
This is my 4th season shooting for Big Sky!
Skiing since I was 2, snowboarding since I was 10 and tele-ing since I was 22, now 26. Competitive snowboard racer: first overall, Big Sky Thrash N' Bash, 2004; second overall (first in racing) J3's Nationals 1994 Vail,Co.
Other interests: Ice/rock climbing, flyfishing, mountaineering, surfing and kiteboarding.

Lonnie Ball

Bob Allen & Estela Villasenor

Ryan Turner

Ryan Turner is an award winning photographer who has been photographing primarily in Montana for over the past ten years. He has photographed many other places along the way such as Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, Arizona, California, Washington, the midwest, Canada, Mexico and many more nooks and crannies. He focuses primarily on adventure photography as he shoots stunning sking, hiking, and fly-fishing action shots wihile capturing the landscape, lifestyle and the unexpected along the way. 
Credits: Ryan's images have been seen in publications such as, Forbes Life, Outside Traveler, Freeskiier, Powder Magazine, Skiing, Ski, Montana Magazine, Ski Press USA & Canada, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, Luxury Living, Big Sky Journal, Distinctly Montana.He has worked for companies like Big Sky Ski Resort, Moonlight Basin Ski Resort and Ranch, Yellowstone Club, The Bluegreen Corp., McAurther Towels & Sports, Rainbow Ranch, Spanish Peaks Club, East West Resorts, Leedom Helmets, Wookey Backpacks, Fate Clothing, Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Hawe

Jennifer Rook

Ambassadors

Mike Mannelin

Hometown: Duluth, MN
Background: 22 years skiing.
Raced F.I.S. in High School and College
Coached ski racing for 4 years
Sponsors: Atomic skis boots and bindings, Fate Clothing, Adidas Eyewear, Leki Poles, and Swany Gloves.
Favorite place to ski:  Dictator chutes off the Lone Peak Tram, Big Sky
Published Photos:  Freeskier, SKI, SKIING, Ski Presse cover, many local newspapers and publications, as well as billboards, brochures, trail maps, website, email newsletters, Weather Channel footage and promotional CD for Big Sky Resort. 

Shane Stalling

Hometown: Growing up- Apple Valley, MN 
Local Resort: Growing up- Buck Hill, MN
Currently- Big Sky Resort, MT
Favorite Board: Depends on Conditions, for a normal day the Capita Indoor Survival 156
Sponsors:CAPiTA, Smith Optics, Big Sky Resort
Best Day of Shredding Ever: So many, lots of good rail trips and lots of good pow days.

Mary Ball

Film Crews

Eric Morrison

Bill Heiselmann

Bonfire Films

BoyneRewards