Choosing his craziest photo moment is difficult for Oregon photographer, Erik “Bro” Hostetler. He lists shooting gaps with Travis Rice, Tanner Hall sessions, and Mike Wilson dropping off a mill silo in the dark with Jamie Pierre’s truck lighting the area. Bro, who is only called Erik by his grandmother, contributes to many ski and snowboard magazines and is one of our best of the year. Skiing Magazine contributor Katie Matteson spoke to him about this shot of Coulter Hinchliffe in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, which made it into the magazine's annual “Best Shots of the Year” photo gallery (December 2008).

SKIING: How would you describe your style of photography?

My style is dictated by the circumstances of the day, location, time, and lighting. I really like shooting big gaps a lot but it’s getting hard to find new ones.

SKIING: Who is the athlete in this shot?

It is Coulter Hinchcliffe and it was the first time I shot him. A bartender in town had told me about some kid that lived in the fort at the Peruvian Lodge, I gave him a call and it worked out well.

SKIING: Where was this shot taken?

Somewhere near Alta, Utah. I was hiking across a gulley from Coulter about 70 or 80 feet away. I knew there was going to be a window of sun in the morning, so we met up first thing and went to this spot I had in mind. So we worked this little zone for about an hour or so before the clouds came in.

SKIING: What do you like about this shot?

This was a mellow shoot, pretty easy day compared to some, so I like that. I really like the shadow of snow behind him because it kind of looks like a tornado.

SKIING: Do you have any tips for getting a shot like this?

Watch the weather and know what aspects get sun and when. That way you don’t waste time searching when you should be shooting.