Photo Talk with Snowboarder Magazine’s Ryan “Huggy” Hughes

We are living in the age of the internet where anyone with a camera can call themselves a photographer but no matter how many shots you take, that first photo in a magazine is celebrated. Their hard work is paid off in the issue dedicated to snowboard photography, the Photo Annual.

I caught up with Snowboarder Magazine’s photos editor Ryan “Huggy” Hughes to find out more about their Photo Annual’s selection process and who is the most interesting man in snowboarding.

Shay:  Describe how the selection process is what photos make the Snowboarder Magazine photo annual?
Huggy: In the selection process I look for the most compelling an unique photos of the year. Also I look for commonalities between photos so the layout flows well.

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Shay: Is the Photo Annual just for on staff photographers or can freelance photographers get their shots published?
Huggy: The photo annual is for Senior photographers as well as contributors. It fluctuates, but its a around a 50-50 mix.

Shay: What’s your personal favorite photo from the Photo Annual and why that shot?
Huggy: Oh geez, that’s hard to say. If I have to pick one I’d say the Johnnie Paxson shot on Page 95, shot by E-stone. Its the action that is mind blowing in this shot, and the high contrast black and white image printed very well… I love the gaping skier in the background too.

Shay: What do you recommend to upcoming photographers today, what does Snowboarder Magazine look for?
Huggy: Get out in the backcountry. Further and higher. Shoot that pow!

Shay: So who is the man from the “most interesting man in snowboarding” video? Was he modeled after anyone we might know of?
Huggy: He is a mysterious man eh? Not sure of his true origins, but I overheard people calling him “Taters” whatever that means.

Shay: Thanks to Huggy for photo talk!