Tommy Caldwell Portrait

I can’t think of a better way to kick off my new site than with a fantastic portrait session with my friend Tommy Caldwell.

Read on…

It has truly been a dream of mine to start shooting action and adventure photography for many years. I get outside with a camera on a regular basis and now I’ve decided to start getting some of my images out there for all to see. I got my start in photography shooting portraits, then adventure, then on to whatever I could do to make money and still pursue better light, composition, and emotion. It seems as though I have now come full circle and I’m excited to see where this takes me.

Anyway…

There is nothing I can add to any conversation that will say more about Tommy that hasn’t been said except maybe this: he’s a good guy that lives here in Estes Park, and that I am one of the very fortunate few to have shot his portrait. Ever since I started shooting portraits of badass climbers and adventurers he’s been on my radar. When it came down to it, all I had to do was ask. I sent a text: “Hi Tommy, this is Joe Pyle. I’m interested in shooting your portrait. Think we could work that out sometime?” His simple answer: “Sure. What’s it for? I’m always in need of good portraits”. Ha. The things we can accomplish if we just ask.

I remember, before we moved to Estes Park, knowing “of” Tommy. He carries a certain air in the climbing world that most everyone knows. After moving here and getting to know him a bit, it’s great to know that he’s just a regular guy. He just happens to be a world class, world famous athlete. The amazing work of Corey Rich and several others captured the photos of him on the Dawn Wall in Yosemite and I was so jealous! What a fantastic time in history to be an adventure photographer!

Enjoy my portraits of Tommy. His smile is as genuine and real as he is. It was a pleasure to check in again with such a classy, calm gent.