Name: Rob Mathis DOB: 8/27/68 Hometown: Sandy, Utah Lives in: Sandy, Utah Photo Vitals Body: Canon 1ds Mark2, and Mark 2n Lenses: everything from 16 300. Flash gear: Elinchrom flash kits (2), Sunpak 622’s. Pack: Burton Editing Programs: cs3/ Lightroom Computer: Macbook pro Major Editorial Publications: Snowboard Mag Companies worked for: A lot over the years, the main ones being… Forum, Special Blend, 4 Square, DVS, Volcom.
- Darrell Mathes
Hey Rob how’s it going? Things are good. How was your summer? Summer was great, lots of family time, Poker and time on my bike (Harley) Give us a quick bio of the start of your photography career. How and why you got started, your inspirations and how long you have been shooting? I started back in the mid 90’s shooting my friends at Brighton, I then got some contract work with D23, Subtle and a bunch of small companies that aren’t still around. The big break was when I got hired on at Forum in 1998. I always knew I wanted to be a photographer, I was inspired early in life by my Grandpa. You have been at this for a while…. Is it hard to make a living as a snowboard photographer? At first it can be a real struggle, at least when I was first coming up. I’ve seen it from all ends, from making almost nothing barely squeaking by to being paid fairly well during my time at Forum. If it’s what you want to do don’t give up, there’s enough work out there for everybody. Did you have a “normal” Job while first starting out shooting photos? Or do you still? I haven’t had a “normal” job while I’ve been shooting, I do supplement my income in the summer with poker…..lots of Poker. Have you thought or do you shoot anything professionally outside of snowboarding? Those high fashion photographers sure make bank… Ya at one time I thought I wanted to try that world out, but it’s not for me…. I do small amounts of work in the motorsports industry and I did some stuff with custom bike builders.
- Eddie Wall
Every year Photographers are on the road busting their asses just as much if not more than Pro Riders. How much do you travel per season? Now that I’m getting older and have a family I’ve slowed down a bunch. Once January hits it is pretty non stop till April. I’m lucky to have traveled the world with my job, I just don’t schedule any southern hemisphere work….I keep my summers free. How does your season get planned? Do you just wait to get a call from companies or mags to go on trips or do you ever plan your own trips with certain riders you wan to shoot with? The summer is when you line up any retainer work, or get an idea on who you major work is going to involve. Once the snow hits, things change on a daily basis, if the snow’s good that’s where you head. I work with a pretty tight knit crew, they definitely have things on point for the season. With this all digital age how much time do you devote to post processing? Do still ever shoot film or miss it? I spend too much time at the computer. I miss the light table and looking at slides.
- Ikka Backstrom
Every Photographer prefers different environments to shoot. Backcountry, Urban, Park, Contests. What is your most favorite and why? It’s pretty obvious with my stuff, I love urban shooting. It can always look different, so much more variety. My least favorite would be booter to landing, that’s the job for the filmer. You shoot a lot with the whole MDP crew. Out of all the trips what was the craziest thing that has happened to you while with any of those riders? Actually the craziest trip I’ve been on lately was the Harley trip for “The Morning Out of Austin”. We went through wind, dust, rain and snow storms on the ride from SLC to Northstar and back. I don’t think I’ve ever been that cold in my life, but with all that said it was also the best trip of my life as well. So good in fact that Seth, Kooley and myself all got bikes right after the trip. What was the last photo shoot you were on? Who were you with, where did you go?How did it go? Read above, that was probably the last real “photoshoot” of the year. Best advice you have gotten that you could pass on to up and coming photographers? Don’t give up on it, and surround yourself with the right riders. Every town has the next kids that are going to be the future rippers, stay connected with the local shops and shoot every opportunity you can.
- Jeremy Jones
So you have a 10-year Photo book coming out soon that I can’t wait to buy. Let’s hear all about it? The book is titled “SLIDE” it will cover my days of shooting Brighton through the Forum years to the past 07 season. I was lucky enough to be with a lot of instrumental riders over the years and the book tries to showcase what Ive seen these past 10 or so years. It is being designed by Jared Eberhardt who did the Burton book “Blower” and what was the main man behind the Forum brands from 2002-2006. I’m excited to see it finally get finished, it should be available by the first of the year. Check my site, robmathis.com for information on how to find it and the exact release date. FIRST COMES TO MIND: MDP: the best UTAH: home COLE BARASH: future DVS: ricky melnik NIKON: what I used before Canon CANON: new gear STROBES: a necessity FAMILY: my reason for living JEREMY JONES: better than most and a good friend DEVUN WALSH: whistler backcountry SHAKEDOWN: the year I was with Video gangs TWS: not as good as Snowboard mag SNOWBOARD INDUSTRY: the best of times/the worst of times
- Joni Malmi
What has been the highlight or best thing you have achieved in your Photo Career? I’d say the Resistance and true Life years are going to be hard to top. Where or what are you off to next? The season is just around the corner which means early season rail trips, where is all dependant on the snow.
- Louie Fountain
Any thanks or anything you would like to say? Oh man, first my wife, kids and family. JP and Jeremy for making me look good over the years. The Forum teams past and present and all the people at MDP and MDP/People. All the riders that I’ve had the pleasure of shooting over the years. Thanks a lot Rob! Looking forward to seeing your book!
- Eric Leines
Be sure to check out more of Rob's Photos at ROBMATHIS.COM
