A Chatham photographer is taking his talents to the big leagues during the GoPro Mountain Games in Colorado.
Kyle Wicks, 26, will be heading off to Vail, Colo. for the Mountain Games from June 6-9. GoPro describes the games weekend festival full of adventure sports, art, and music. Wicks will be getting an all expense paid trip courtesy of the camera company.
Wicks will be one of 11 other photographers that GoPro is flying out the games. He got the golden ticket after entering a contest where GoPro invited people to submit their best outdoor photos for a chance to win.
This is far from the first time Wicks has been recognized by GoPro, a company that made $1.15 billion in revenue last year from the sale of its action cameras and video editing software. His work has been featured over a dozen times on their Instagram account, which has over 15 million followers. He was also one of the 56 winners out of over 25,000 video submissions from across the world in the GoPro HERO7 Million Dollar Challenge promo video.
During the trip, Wicks will get the chance to capture once-in-a-lifetime photographs in the scenic town. He will also get the chance to participate in several events including kayaking and gondola rides. Wicks said one of the things he's most excited for is getting to attend several GoPro seminars, taught by the company's media team.
"That's probably one of the [main] things I'm looking forward to in the seminars is to learn from the best of the best, their tech geeks. Then just meeting the 11 other people that will be out there and hearing their take on their creativity and how they go about their shots. It's going to be an awesome learning experience," he said.
Wicks currently has over 12,000 followers on Instagram and focuses heavily on nature photography. His work has been featured on the Weather Network, BBC Earth and published by Canadian Geographic.
Although he has been a life long lover of the outdoors, photography is relatively new for Wicks, who has only been behind the lens for the last few years. Wicks said getting into photography has allowed him to find new ways to further his passion for all things nature.
"I picked up a camera three years ago and that kind of just fueled by adventure spirit, to be outdoors and seek new places, find new areas that I can explore and create," he explained.
Wicks said he was able to get to this point of success in a short amount of time by focusing spending time on the behind the scenes effort it takes to improve the craft. He said he spends hours watching videos and reading photography tips online.
"I'm super thankful that has all happened over the last few years. It's nice to see all my hard work and time pay off and I'm super thankful to have some great people notice my work," he said. "I would say some tips are just trial and error. Any free time you have, just be outside and snap photos. I find you never know what you're going to see."
As part of his long term goal, Wicks is currently working with the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre to develop a plan to establish an official business.
“I have been working with Kyle to help him set up a business plan, look at opportunities for his business and really help him move from the idea stage and on to an established business,” said Taylor Hughes, economic development officer with the municipality. “Kyle has the passion and skill needed for his work and one of the things I like most about working with him is that he is humble and always willing to hear new ideas. He’s going to go far.”
Click here to see a collection of Wicks' work.