For Mountain Hardwear’s annual photo clinic, improving representation in outdoor photography isn’t about who’s in front of the camera. It’s about who’s holding it.
Applications are now open for the 5th annual Open Aperture Photo Clinic, a training and mentorship program for aspiring outdoor photographers from underrepresented communities. This year’s clinic, scheduled for April 2025, marks the program’s first focus on snowsports. It will take place at Timberline Lodge in Oregon.
Six selected participants will receive fully covered expenses, including transportation, lodging, and equipment. The program offers classroom sessions, hands-on fieldwork, and one-on-one mentorship with a National Geographic photographer. For the first time, the 2025 clinic will also include past graduates, who will assist in the selection process and serve as mentors.
Applications opened on October 24, 2024. Matt Burbach, VP of marketing for Mountain Hardwear, said in a release that those chosen for the clinic will have the chance to develop their skills and engage with a network of industry professionals. This will contribute to a more inclusive future in outdoor storytelling.
“We’re dedicated to fostering greater diversity in mountain sports,” Burbach said. “Open Aperture gives us the opportunity to genuinely broaden our community of outdoor enthusiasts, enriching it with diverse voices both behind the camera and in front of it.”
Learn From National Geographic Photographer
Open Aperture is the brainchild of Nikki Smith, a Mountain Hardwear athlete and National Geographic contributing photographer. Smith started the program in 2019 to empower photographers from underrepresented backgrounds through skill-building workshops and mentorship.
A prolific writer and photographer, Smith has also published five climbing guidebooks. She has partnerships with Brooks Running, REI, Protect Our Winters, SCARPA, and Mountain Hardwear.
“Open Aperture has grown remarkably over the past four years,” Smith said in a news release. “We’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when we empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to capture and share their perspectives. This year’s focus on snowsports continues to broaden our efforts to increase visibility in all aspects of outdoor sports and help change the narrative of who belongs in the outdoors.”
The photo clinic from Mountain Hardwear is one of several programs launched by outdoor brands in recent years to promote diversity in the outdoors.
Notable examples include Queer Ascent, a weekend of climbing clinics and community building for LGBTQ climbers. In January 2024, Eric Larsen gave a polar exploration course to BIPOC athletes, thanks to the sponsorship of German brand Jack Wolfskin.
REI began a partnership with Outdoor Afro this year to offer outdoor trips designed and led by African Americans while continuing to support BIPOC entrepreneurs through grants and training.
Interested in the Open Aperture Clinic? Learn how to apply for the program on the Mountain Hardwear website.
