Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown Lineup Announced

Top action sports photographers have been invited to compete in the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown at the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) in Whistler, BC. As the preeminent annual action sports photography event in the world, the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown sees some of the best photographers in the industry battle it out for the Best of Show title and the $10,000 grand prize.

Four top action sports photographers are invited to showcase their work with no pre-submission required, and a fifth spot reserved for a Wild Card Entry. The Wild Card Entry submission was open to all action sports photographers from around the globe with one photographer selected through an esteemed review process. This year’s photographers hail from as far as New Zealand, Sweden, Tahiti and as close as Salt Lake City and Revelstoke, B.C.

In tribute to the masters in their field, all five photographers will be flown in to Whistler, B.C to showcase their work for an audience of action sports enthusiasts, photography fans & connoisseurs, media, and industry professionals for an unforgettable showdown on Thursday, April 13 at the Whistler Conference Centre. A panel of industry experts will determine who is crowned with the coveted Best of Show title and the $10,000 grand prize, while the audience will also have their say through the People’s Choice Award.

THE LINE UP FOR THE 2017 OLYMPUS PRO PHOTOGRAPHER SHOWDOWN INCLUDES:

Jake Darwen
Jake Darwen is a New Zealand-born skateboard photographer. Currently based in Melbourne, Australia, the 24-year-old Kiwi has developed a signature style for capturing skateboarding and the unique lifestyle and landscapes that go with it. Sought after by some of the biggest names and brands in skating, Jake constantly strives to find new ways and geographic locations - no matter how remote - to document the sport he loves.

Bruno Long
Bruno Long is a professional adventure photographer originally from Grand Falls, New Brunswick but has called Revelstoke, B.C. home for over a decade. Over that time, he has developed an eye for mountain adventure photography, inspired by the endless mountain bike and skiing opportunities that British Columbia has to offer. Rarely able to turn down the invitation for an adventure, Long enjoys bringing his camera along to places that many other photographers wouldn’t. Long’s mission is to document the struggle and effort it takes to reach the most beautiful places on earth. Long tends to focus more on the large landscapes and small details, searching for the most unique images that each destination has to offer.

Andrew Miller
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Andrew Miller is primarily a snowboard photographer whose work has taken him to remote mountain ranges all over the world, including Europe, Nepal, Japan, and Chile. Previously a senior photographer for TransWORLD SNOWboarding magazine, his work and images are focused across a vast range of clients including Patagonia, The North Face, Jones Snowboards and editorial titles worldwide. From the skin track, helipad to the resort lift and sled trail, Andrew has been out there creating his work and quickly establishing himself as one of the most well rounded photographers in the snow industry.

Ben Thouard
Ben grew up in the South of France where the waves were small. His father was a sailor, who taught him everything about the ocean. Soon after, Ben found his love for surfing and spent most of his time honing his skills. In his teens, Ben discovered photography and started shooting his surfer friends which led him to study photography in Paris. During the next couple of years, Ben traveled the world alongside professionals in search of photogenic landscapes and waves that had never been surfed before. Ben has risen to the top of the game being one of the leading photographers based in the tropical paradise of French Polynesia. Magazine covers, advertising campaigns, award winning images from the water and everything around it has led to Ben’s global success.

WILDCARD ENTRY - Daniel Rönnbäck
Daniel Rönnbäck is a Swedish photographer who travels 300 days a year photographing action sports and commercial work. With a background as an exam ski instructor and ISIA ski guide, he started his photographic journey in Sälen, Sweden and from there explored the world. With a big passion for skiing, biking and sports, with a mix and drive of art and design, Daniel gets his inspiration and influence from everything from fashion to art to music.

For more information on the Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown and the World Ski & Snowboard Festival, visit wssf.com, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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