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Over 120 photographers applied to participate in the Climbing For All Photography Mentorship Program, to be held November, 2021 through March, 2022. The program, free for participants, is an initiative by adidas Terrex and Climbing to diversify representation within climbing media and engage climbing’s underrepresented communities. During the mentorship period, each selected mentee will be encouraged to take climbing photos, and every two weeks send their best shots to the mentors who will review the works and provide feedback.
Mentors include National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski, professional photographer Irene Yee, Climbing’s art director Randall Levensaler, and the editorial staff. The goal of Climbing For All is to elevate each student’s skills, and publish their best photos in our annual Ascent edition, out in spring 2022. Climbing will also publish an online gallery. At the conclusion of the program the six mentees will be encouraged to continue contributing to climbing media to make it more representative and welcoming of all climbers.
And, drumroll, the six selected mentees are: Jenny Walters of Richmond, Virginia; Rodel Querubin of Eagan, Minnesota; Sabrina Claros of Downey, California; Felipe Tapia Nordenflycht of Golden, Colorado; Jason Quan of Palos Verdes Estates, California; and Hansac Ho of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Thanks for everyone who applied, and stay tuned to see great climbing photography on this website and in the print pages of Climbing from the six mentees.
Meet the Mentors
Irene Yee: Irene is a professional rock climbing and adventure photographer based on the west coast. She started rock climbing out of pure joy, and picked up a camera soon after. Her focus is to uplift women, BIPOC, and the LGBTQIA2+ communities; finding inspiration in those with passion over muscle.
Keith Ladzinski: Keith is a National Geographic photographer and Emmy nominated director. His work primarily focuses on natural history, climate change, extreme sports, fine art and advertising campaigns Keith is a founding member of the Sea Legacy Collective and has worked for clients globally including Apple, Disney, Google, Nike, Toyota, Adidas, Oprah Network, Canon, Discovery, Subaru, Red Bull, The North Face, OPPO, The New York Times, and National Geographic TV.