Bryan Elkus – Page 92 – Michigan based documentary photographer

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SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 5

We had a nice relaxing morning having a killer breakfast. Tekko, Jason and Julien headed out to go scout out around the valley for a cool place to session and shoot. They came back about an hour later with a killer location. We headed out there and rigged. It was pretty light wind for a while steadily picking up. We were able to get some good shots out of the adventure, and some even better ideas for later.

We headed back to the condo for lunch made by the Canadians. The crew packed up and we headed up to the mountain. It was nuking when we arrived. We decided that since there was no cat today that we would all rig up kites and kite to the shoot location, shoot then kite back home. It was a great idea in theory, but proved more difficult than most of us thought, especially with the 75 lbs of photo gear. We started the session at the top of the hill the event was held at. We shot some full rig Liquid Force kite shots. Then Petter was jibbing a tree. That shot turned out to be one of the best of the day.

Jason and Julien were down setting up a picnic table off one of the table tops. The setup was pretty cool, as they hit the kicker and used the table as a down rail. The guys sessioned that for a while. Then Jason and I headed over to do some lip tricks on one of the other table tops as the light really started to fade.

Then the fun part started, getting home. Everyone headed out as Jason and I were finishing up the last shoot. Jason gave me a launch and we headed back to the parking lot. We headed down the first valley and then started up the next uphill as the wind totally shut off on us. We waited a few and luckily the wind came back. It was really crazy riding back with no light as you couldn’t see any definition in the snow. We finally made it back to the parking lot. We packed up the gear and crawled to the cars. But our first expedition was a success.

We headed back to the condos and everyone b lined it to the hot tub. Then it was time for cooking dinner and editing photos. It wasn’t until midnight that dinner was ready. We ate and then crashed.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 18, 2009
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SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 4

Today started off with a great breakfast at Jason’s friends house that we spent the night at. It was a rough morning being sore from all the hiking the previous day, and the endless hours editing photos and posting on the interwebs. We then found the courage to head back over to meet up with the crew at the condos and then cook breakfast number two. After a little more photo editing, we packed up and headed up to the mountain.

As we pulled up we were stoked to see it was windy. The crew headed down to the event location and I headed out for a quick session before everyone got going. Jason somehow managed to get another kite stuck in a tree, but he redeemed himself by riding well in the kiter-cross event, though Aaron Sales gave him a run for his money.

Then it was the free ride event. We all headed to the flat bar and sessioned it for a while, then headed to a kicker and then to some flat land wake style. Jason, Petter and Jake were just killing it. Petter throwing 270 on 360 then out. Jake did massive kite loops and slezy was stezy on the rails.

We took a bit of a break then headed back up the hill to session and shoot the spine. It was a really fun session as we had Adam Koch, Gavin Butler and myself shooting together. Aaron, Jake, Jason and Petter sessioned with me for a bit on the spine. We then headed up to the BEST rail that the boys set up during our break from kiting. The guys rode hard as the light faded out into the night.

Petter, Tekko and Jason kited back to the car while I waited for Jake for a snowmobile ride back to the top. On the last hill he gunned it and I fell off the back with my photopack and a snowboard strapped to it and a 16m kite in my lap.

We finally made it home to a fantastically prepared meal by the Llew and Kristy. Then it was editing time and off to bed. I was extremely stoked on how the shots from the day turned out. Over 1,000 images taken and about 20 keepers I was so excited that the long day of work/play turned out so well.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 17, 2009
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SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 3

Day three of the SLC trip was the bet yet. It was the second day of the SuperFly Open at Powder Mountain. And we had wind! The day started off with a little chill time. Then we quickly hit up the grocery store for food and water to bring with us on the mountain.

We pulled up to the mountain around 10am to see the flags blowing and kites in the air. Scrambling to unpack the gear out of the car and get on the cat to the event location, which was about a mile from the parking lot.

The crew rigged up kites and headed out for a fun session. I hung out with Petter at one of the kickers watching him show everyone up. That kid has skills! The first event was the kite race followed by the big air.

After the events, Jason, Petter, Tekko, Arla and I headed to the downwind side of the mountain to grab some shots. It was a good time, though way more work than being on the water, but the crew was killing it. Petter and Jason found a couple cool natural kickers that they sessioned for a while before Jason put his kite into a tree. Luckily the kite received only minor injuries.

I headed back to charge my batteries for the camera in order to be ready for the evening shoot. There were some miss communications, which then made me walk from the lodge back to the event location and then back again. Needless to day I got my exercise for the day.

After getting back to the car I grabbed Jason for a couple quick shots with the new LF snowboard. Then I was to a well-deserved dinner and to bed.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 16, 2009
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Brandon Scheid in The Kiteboarder

The new issue of The Kiteboarder showed up while Jason and I were in Utah on the REAL Team ’09 Snowkite trip. This shot of Brandon Scheid made it into the magazine. The shot was taken around dusk at Kite Point, NC.

March 15, 2009
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SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 2

I woke up at 7:30 ready to ride today. It took us a while to get the crew together. We headed to tyler’s for some breakfast, where we even able to set off the smoke detector while cooking. After some tasty pancakes, we then packed up and headed up to Powder Mountain. The place was amazing. It was on top of a smaller mountain, with some huge mountains surrounding it, making for quite a view.

It was time to register for the event. Then we packed up the cat with all our gear. We got to strap in to our boards and cruised down the cat track to a t-bar, and then over to the event location. The first thing out of the truck, were the new Liquid Force Prototype kite snowboards made in help by Sheldon Decosse.

We set up all the Liquid Force tents and kites. The wind was nowhere to be found. It was time to get some turns in, so a small crew of us headed for some runs in the park. Jason, Dave, Jake, Petter, Arla, Llew and Christy. It was fun to shred with everyone, since everyone could actually ride, we were bombing through the runs. They have a great park out there with some insanely fun boxes and jumps.

After a couple more runs, we headed back to the event, and there was still no wind to be found. Tekko then got out the Grinch Winch, and we set up a rail and sessioned it for a bit, while the photo posse took a bunch of shots. Everyone pretty much gave up on the wind possibility and packed up and went home while our crew hung a round for a bit riding.

After stopping at nearly 4 restaurants to find some drinks and appetizers, we finally found a place to let us in. The Mexican food was pretty good and we were off to the opening party at Burskis in Ogden. They has a best model search contest there. It was pretty bad not so good; we were in there for about 15 minutes and called it a night and drove back up to Eden.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 14, 2009
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SLC ’09 Snowkite Trip Day 1

After a very busy day at work, I was able to finish packing for the SLC Snowkite Trip. I was able to get all my camera gear into two bags, and clothes and riding gear into two more. Jason picked me up around 9pm and we headed north to Virgins Beach to pick up new Real Team stickers and crash for our 5am flight.

We headed to the airport around 4:30am to then realize that our flight wasn’t until 7am. We still had to go drop one of Steve’s friends off at the airport, we would be just a little early for out flight. The luggage check in went smoother than expected. We got on our flight to Chicago in a very empty flight which we were both excited about.

Luckily, I have never been one to get uncomfortable while flying when there is turbulence. Unluckily for the lady across the aisle, she does. We hit a patch of “rough air” as the captain called it, and this lady just started flailing her arms as if she was trying to cool herself down on a hot day. Weird! We hopped on another flight and were headed for SLC.

We got picked up by Tyler, the event organizer, and Shannon Best. From there, we meet up with amy, tyler’s personal assistant, and Big Ted and headed for a quick lunch before going up the mountain to check into the room.

After we meet up with Big T we drove up to the mountain to get the housing in order. It was a great adventure with Shannon Best in the car. He is a character, full of some great stories. By the time we made it up there and got into the rooms we realized we had to bolt it back to Salt Lake City for a TV interview.

We barely made it to the TV interview on time only 20 minutes late. It was cool to see the interview go down. In the interview were Arla J. Funk (who has the best goggle tan), Jason and Tyler. It was a good short, interview on live TV (to add some nerves). We got to be in the studio while they were filming, which was pretty cool.

Then we headed back to Tyler’s house and packed up the rest of the gear and even had time to snap a couple shots along the way. Then it was another long drive back up the mountain. Finally out of the car and the gear in the condo we meet up with Llew Simmonds and Kristy Moller. After a couple drinks we called it a night.

More photos HERE.

Check out the full trip here: Day1, Day2, Day3, Day4, Day5, Day6, Day7, Day8, Day9.

March 13, 2009
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DaKine Surf Gear

My Load of DaKine gear arrived today, Thanks Bill! I picked up a couple of new toys to go with my 6’8 JS Surfboard. I’m getting ready for the good spring surf sessions. I think Jason and I have another box(s) waiting in Utah for our snowkite adventure. DaKine is the best.

March 11, 2009
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Slezak’s Birthday Party

Last night we had a little surprise party for Jason Slezak. Jason’s birthday is not until this weekend, but we will be off in Utah for it. So, the crew wanted to celebrate in fashion. There was a little bonfire and the grill was going, what more could you ask for on a clear, late winter, night.

March 11, 2009
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Waves and Sunsets

I missed the kite session today because I was busy working. I was kinda bummed about that, until I remembered I got to shoot the sunset now that it happens after work. Mel and I headed to the beach to get a couple shots. It was a great sunset and got a couple cool shots.

March 10, 2009