Typically when I shoot photos these days it’s for a specific purpose. Either for a print project, an ESPN feature, something for my column, something for an ad, catalog or anything else a company might need photos for etc. In some cases though I have shot photos over the years that never end up going anywhere but my hard drive. Typically it’s just that they become leftovers and aren’t needed at the moment. Other reasons include riders changing sponsors. For example, if you shoot a rider that is wearing a pair of Etnies and then they get sponsored by Vans you can’t really do anything with the photo of them wearing the Etnies anymore. It sucks but that’s just how it works. Either way though, that is why I love doing this column because I have complete creative control meaning that I get to finally give some of these photos a home and give them a bit of shine-time.
This one time a few years ago I took a trip to Florida to shoot a contest that Profile was putting on at The Skatepark of Tampa and ended up shooting this photo of Conall Keenan in the back room at the park. The icepick you see is actually much harder than it looks. It was on the edge of a tiny ledge that stuck out a few inches from the wall. Not only that but when he landed he had to avoid catching his shoulder/face on the wood that is sticking out right at the bottom of the transition. I always wanted this photo to end up somewhere but looks like it’s going to end up as one of my favorite un-published photos.
This next one I had leftover is of Dillon Lloyd from his stay at the MacNeil house in Long Beach from May last year. He came down, handled some awesome shit and then flew back up to Canada. This pegs to over-bar was pretty damn impressive to watch in person and the fact that he popped a bar so high out of a grind is rad. This is a case where I actually sent the photo to MacNeil and they ended up not needing it. So, it spent some time without a home until now. Enjoy!
There is nothing really crazy about this photo except for the fact that I like the simplicity of it. I like that I didn’t even really plan on shooting it, and it was actually a leftover from an article I did for Soul. I was digging around recently and came across it and wanted to share it with everyone. Dean Dickinson was just cruising the Baldy full-pipe and I happened to catch this snap as he got his carve on.
I actually love this photo of East Coast trail legend John Lee and although it didn’t end up in print that doesn’t change the fact that I am stoked on it. Plus, it was shot at Endwell trails, which was the first place I ever rode real trails back in 1997. Anything that I shoot from there holds a special place in the BMX section of my heart. Not too mention that I always love shooting trails right before dark. It creates a unique mood and since trails on the East Coast are real trails with trees, and leaves and roots you can’t go wrong. T-bog goodness from one of the nicest guys in BMX. Respect.
One time a few years back Mike Spinner came out to Cali to make his rounds, visit with some sponsors and just shoot some photos. This is one of the photos we ended up shooting at the infamous Santa Ana banks. Mike put in work for this and I always liked the fact that it was something a little different and a line that people wouldn’t necessarily expect out of Mike. The photo never made its way off of my computer until now and it’s crazy to think that this is the first time anyone but Mike and myself have seen the finished product.
Ben Snowden has been a landlord of sorts at his BMX house for so long now and in fact, ever since I moved to Cali back in 2007 he has been living there with random BMX roommates coming and going. We shot this photo at one point to start stacking for some sort of feature on his house and the roommates but it never ended up coming together. It’s a shame though because I actually have always been stoked on this photo. I love the lighting on it and you can’t deny that the old motor home ads that little bit of character that we all love.
That’s it for this week. It’s always the goal to use the photos that you shoot and see them find a home but it’s not always the case. Don’t ever forget about them though because you never know when the opportunity might come along to get them out there to show the world. Also, be sure to check back next Wednesday for the fifty-fifth edition of Through the Lens and as always feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or email me at info@jeremypavia.com and I will hit you back as soon as I can. Feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @jeremypavia.
