Member: Cody Shimizu
Favourite outdoor activities: I enjoy a variety of activities, for which I try to make time for! In winter, I’ll go skiing one weekend, and ice climbing the other one. Same pattern in summer, but with biking, scrambling, and climbing!
About me: I started out exploring the outdoors with a mountain bike in my early teens. Lots of friendly group rides from local bike shops encouraged me to continue in the sport and competitively raced for a little while. Then when I turned 16, I got my driver’s license and drove myself to races in the mountains and my world literally expanded. Ever since then I have made the progression of hiking, scrambling, climbing, back country touring and more! I’m no expert or really experienced in any of the activities, but really enjoying progressing in each of the sports. I joined the University of Alberta Outdoors Club when I started university, I was just a member for a year but had such an amazing experience that I became a trip leader the next year. Running trips and sharing the outdoors with others was such an amazing experience I really hope to keep expanding and fulfilling a mentor role in the community. With the ACC Edmonton section, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a few trips and meet some amazing people through the climbing and ski nights that the club runs! I hope to join the club for a few more trips and potentially lead some things for the club!
How did you develop a passion for the outdoors?
I developed a passion for the outdoors through mountain biking, exploring Edmonton’s River Valley. The welcoming mountain biking communities encouraged me to preserve in the sport and continue to explore an even greater area around Edmonton. My whole world expanded when I turned 16, got my driver’s license, and drove to the mountains for mountain bike racing. From there, I discovered so many more activities that can be done in the mountains: scrambling, rock climbing, and backcountry skiing just to name a few. As a fortunate coincidence, one of the courses I took as part of my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Alberta was an introduction to rock climbing. From there, I met other climbers at the University of Alberta and just got hooked!
What makes for a memorable day outside?
There is still so much to explore and my outdoor world is still expanding, so every day is memorable! Overall though, being out there with people and sharing experiences with them makes for the extra 20%. “If it’s an adventure, it’s something that I will be talking about for a long time.”
Do you have a favourite piece of gear?
There is one piece of gear that’s always with me, and is associated to photography. I have this capture clip that attaches my camera to my backpack strap. That way, my camera is always accessible, whatever the circumstances, the weather, and the activity I am doing. It is a super handy accessory!
Do you have any outdoor places you never get tired of going back to?
There is so many places to see and so many places to explore that it’s hard to just pick one! There is however one place I’ll never get tired of: it’s a mountain bike trail in Edmonton called “Root Canal”. It is the first place I rode when I discovered mountain biking, and it is also the first trail I ride to get into the river valley. Riding this trail means that I am out on an adventure, and I never get tired of it!
How did you get started in adventure photography?
I started playing with an old camera that my family had to pass time while recovering from a broken ankle. Once my ankle healed and I was able to mountain bike once again, I started taking the camera with me everywhere I went. I took it mountain biking, rock climbing, scrambling, hiking, and skiing: everywhere! My vision is to tell stories of my adventures to my friends and family, and share how amazing the outdoors can be. I enjoy taking action shots because they allow me to capture the landscape, the environment and the people that are part of it.
Can you share with us your perspective of the outdoors as adventure photographer?
Adventure photography is a way for me to share stories of the outdoors and inspire people. I started taking photos for my own memories to keep, and it gradually evolved into something that I can share with a broader audience and inspire people to enjoy the outdoors. I want to show people that you do not need to do crazy stuff to have fun. You can have as much fun skiing a steep couloir than skiing crowfoot glades, riding a hard mountain bike trails, or going for a fun ride with friends. I am also using photography as an opportunity to highlight the variety people that partake in outdoor activities in order to break the stereotype of the standard white male enjoying the outdoors.
Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to get into outdoor or adventure photography?
I wouldn’t consider myself a professional photographer, but my main advice would be that you do not need an expensive camera, fancy lenses or a ton of accessories to get started in outdoor photography. Grab a camera (or your phone!), take pictures and have fun. Don’t obsess by the number of likes on social media. Instead, take photos for yourself, for the stories, and for the memories that they bring to you. Every time I look back at a photo, it brings back memories of that particular day, the adventure I had, and the people I shared these moments with.
Anything else you would like to share with the ACC-Edmonton community?
I wish for people to enjoy the outdoors and stay safe in the mountains. There is a multitude of resources available for people to learn from and develop new skills, meet people, and find trip partners such as Alpine Club, sport clubs in Edmonton, or local guiding companies. Don’t be afraid to try everything at least once!
