The creative climb
I walked into the Patagonia store on Pearl Street this last January, gift card in hand and excited about finally getting a Patagonia jacket! The first friendly face/employee I encountered was Ricardo. I needed serious help in finding one that would suit my needs best so we chatted a minute, and quickly discovered that we have something huge in common. We are both photographers! As icing on the cake, we quickly learned that we have a very similar interest in style, content and direction when taking photos, which made the connection even more meaningful. A week later, we sat down together in a local coffee shop to talk shop, goals, direction, and learn more about how we could potentially support and help each other.
We left with a new friendship, a hug and a plan to get together in the future.
As a lot of us find in the creative arena, Ricardo has big ambitions, and I am excited for him. I can say that from what I have learned of him so far, he will achieve whatever he sets his mind to do! He has drive and determination, in addition to skill and the willingness to learn in his “tool kit”. This guy will be going places I guarantee it!
"Chase your most intense obsession irrationally, however hard that may be. I’ve always believed in the idea of knowing what’s worth struggling for. Life has a tendency to throw unexpected curve balls, regardless of how well things may or may not be. The big picture tends to take time to comprehend. Slow it down every once in a while, and remember to ask what’s worth struggling for, always.
What do I struggle for? A future career as a full-time photographer. With that goal in mind I decided to move across the country after college to chase this dream. Working multiple jobs day in and day out at first exhausted me. I was hardly doing what I sought out to do as a photographer. After a few months of struggling and living paycheck to paycheck I finally had enough money to drop my jobs. As the next chapter begin, Earth Untold Photography will have its ups and downs. But knowing the why behind the dream keeps me psyched for what is to come."
- Ricardo Cabrera
After a few months of busy schedules and snowy cold weekends, we made it happen. One other thing about Ricardo that I didn’t mention before is, he is a skilled athlete and a REALLY good rock climber. We decided to head to one of his local favorite spots for more conversation, and to take some pictures this past weekend. I hope you enjoy the photo essay that will follow. I would encourage you to check out his work, especially in climbing and running, as he has taken some spectacular images that really evoke emotion…IMO, the sign of a great photograph! (links at the end of the blog)
After a short hike to the location, complete with 2 crash pads and a backpack full of camera gear, we came upon the rocks he wanted to tackle. We started off at a less technical location for a quick warm up, and get prepped for the larger ascent.
After two or three go’s at this shorter climb, he was ready for the big one. Another group had just left the location so it left us in solitude, for me to observe from afar, and Ricardo to plan his ascent. He tried a few times and ended up with a wrong hold, or misjudged distance, and fell to the pads below. This is a HUGE rock mind you, I would have been terrified. But I have never seen such confidence and calm in someone tackling something that maybe to him wasn’t any big deal, but to me, I was impressed.
It was really cool to watch him assess the rock, to walk his body and mind through at least the initial parts of the climb prior to even getting on the wall. Visualization and muscle memory definitely being of utmost importance, as well as skill.
He climbed, he fell, he climbed again. Never letting frustration or discouragement even come into play.
The last route he decided to take was the one that brought him to the summit (is that even a term in climbing? lol ) . He confidently went a different way than before, and successfully made it to the top of the rock where the smile of satisfaction spread across his face. It was fun to be a part of that!
We explored a couple more formations before the daylight was fading fast and we were forced to head back down the hill.
Shooting with Ricardo, as well as learning from each other, was super inspiring and a fun afternoon! It is kinda cool how walking into a store, I walked out knowing someone who is as excited about his craft as I am, and loves sharing in experiences to grow! Thank you for that Ricardo!
If you have any questions or want to connect, please reach out! Ricardo’s links are below and I hope you get a moment to check out his work!!
https://www.instagram.com/earthuntold/
THANK you a million for following along with me!!
Until next week…
<3