Blog

  1. Why Outdoor Brands Are Ditching Stock Libraries for Direct Licensing

    I want to tell you something you probably already suspect but haven’t fully said out loud:Your audience knows your stock photography isn’t real. Not necessarily in a conscious, “I spotted the inauthenticity” way. But somewhere in the part of the brain that processes visual information in fractions of a…

  2. Arc Boats on Flathead Lake | Jason Thompson Photography

    COMMERCIAL WORK · ARC BOATS · FLATHEAD LAKE, MONTANAThe Frame I Didn’t Plan: Shooting Arc Boats on Flathead LakeWhat a foil rider, a wake surfer, and the worst midday light in Montana taught me about the value of staying loose on a commercial shoot.There’s a frame sitting in…

  3. Published Photography Adventure Ski Climbing

    A selection of images by Jason Thompson published across outdoor, ski, and climbing media. Work and images from this portfolio have been published by Powder Magazine, Patagonia, Teton Gravity Research, Wild Snow, Bozeman Magazine, The High Route, and Explore Big Sky “This Adaptive Skier Wants Outdoor Sports to be for…

  4. You’re Not Broken — Your Nervous System Adapted

    You’re Not Broken — Your Nervous System AdaptedSome outdoor experiences stay with us.A close call.A work accident.A client’s accident.A fall that happened too fast to remember clearly. An avalanche you watched unfold. Getting lost longer than expected. Witnessing an accident.Being avalanched.Near drowning.The day ends. You drive home. Life resumes.But sometimes,…

  5. Adding Value to Customers Investment in Digital Media

    Adding Value to a Customer’s Investment in Digital MediaDigital media is no longer a “nice to have.” For most businesses, it’s one of the most significant investments they make to attract customers, build trust, and drive growth. Yet too often, that investment is measured only by deliverables, photos delivered, videos…

  6. Montana Ice Climbing Photography | Featured in Big Sky Journal

    Montana Ice Climbing Photography | Featured in Big Sky JournalI’m excited to share my recent published work for Big Sky Journal’s feature “Dancing on Ice,” a story on the passionate world of ice climbing in Montana. This winter feature, photographed by me and written by Jeannie Wall, was published as…

  7. Google Business Profile – Image Metadata Guide

    📸Google Business Profile – Image Metadata GuideCore Service Positioning (per site H2): Tendaro Customs designs and builds custom cabinetry and millwork in the Mountain West. Design. Build. Install.See how to optimize Google Business Profile images in Adobe Lightroom with proper file names, titles, captions, and descriptions to improve local search…

  8. 2.5D Parallax Photography Services | Turning Still Images into Strategic Marketing Assets

    Transform still photography into immersive 2.5D parallax visuals that increase engagement, guide attention, and align visual marketing with real business objectives Turning Still Photography into Strategic Marketing Assets with 2.5D Parallax ImageryMost brand photography looks good—but doesn’t always work.In a crowded digital landscape, still images are often scrolled past…

  9. Frozen Moments: Polaroid Memories From an Ice Climbing Day in Hyalite Canyon

    Discover the raw beauty of ice climbing captured on vintage Polaroid film. These analog images highlight the grit, teamwork, and frozen adventure of scaling winter walls in Hyalite Canyon Frozen Moments on Ice — Polaroid Snapshots From the WallThere’s something timeless about a Polaroid—especially when it captures a moment as…

  10. Authentic Travel & Adventure Photography: What Goes Into a Story That Feels Real

    In an era where audiences can spot staged content from a mile away, authentic storytelling has become the heartbeat of great travel and adventure photography. Real moments. Real environments. Real people. That’s what connects—especially with outdoor brands, tourism companies, and adventure-driven audiences. But ultimately, it’s always about connecting at the…

  11. Hire a Drone Pilot in Bozeman & Belgrade, Montana | Aerial Mapping, Agriculture, and Roof Inspections

    Hire a Drone Pilot in Bozeman & Belgrade, Montana | Aerial Mapping, Agriculture, and Roof InspectionsNeed a certified drone pilot in Bozeman or Belgrade, Montana? Get professional aerial imagery for agriculture, construction, roof inspections, and insurance documentation — accurate, fast, and FAA Part 107 compliant In Montana’s fast-changing landscapes, drone…

  12. Outdoor Lifestyle Drone Photography in Bozeman, Montana | Adventure & Brand Content

    Capturing the Outdoor Active Lifestyle from Above: Drone Photography in Bozeman, Montana Elevate your outdoor brand with professional drone photography and video services in Bozeman, Montana. Capture authentic adventure, action, and lifestyle stories from the sky.Adventure Looks Better from the AirIn Bozeman, Montana, adventure is part of everyday life —…

  13. Aerial Drone Services in Bozeman, Montana: Elevate Your Visual Storytelling

    Aerial Drone Services in Bozeman, Montana: Elevate Your Visual Storytelling Unlock a New Perspective with Drone Photography in BozemanBozeman, Montana’s rugged beauty deserves to be seen from above. Whether you’re showcasing a real estate property, creating outdoor brand content, or documenting a large-scale construction project, professional drone services bring a…

  14. Slow Pulse Boy by Mark Twight

    Written by MARK TWIGHTI first heard Balin Miller’s name when someone sent a cryptic note that he might have repeated “The Reality Bath”. It seemed to be happening in near-real time. For a few hours we chased hints and snippets, and social media posts. Photos showed familiar, well-remembered terrain, last…

  15. How to Do a Polaroid Emulsion Lift on Watercolor Paper | Step-by-Step Film Transfer

    In this video, you’ll learn how to create a beautiful Polaroid emulsion lift onto watercolor paper using simple tools and instant film. This classic analog technique lets you peel and transfer the delicate emulsion layer from a Polaroid photo to create one-of-a-kind, textured prints. Perfect for artists, photographers, and anyone…

  16. Dad & Son Escaping the Noise – Just Us and the Wild 🌲

    As a creator, I love finding ways to share experiences others have from their unique perspective. This was a fun way to do just that escaping the noise and getting outside at the same time. I wrote the script and used an AI generated voiceover. I thought the old man’s…

  17. Wall Art and Calendar Spring “reFRESH” Sale - automatic 30% off

    Excited to share new work with you all this spring! Hyalite Canyon Panoramic Series has been released, showcasing public lands that are special places to many who want to connect with the land.The images show the East and West Faces of the canyon which show popular ice climbing routes. Prints…

  18. Polaroid Scans Combined with Photoshops and Premier Pro Animation

    This was a concept shoot to capture images using a Polaroid camera in skiing conditions. I then scanned the ploaroids importing them into Photoshop to create animated layers. Adding video shot on an iPhone was inserted by bringing the Photoshop animation into Premier Pro for the final iteration.

  19. Parallax Effect 2.5D - Skiing in Chamonix

    Sean Cochrane skiing in the Chamonix Valley with Mount Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi in the background. This parallax effect offers a unique animation that leverages still images into motion assets for brands.

  20. “We Paid for the Photos—Why Do We Need a License?”

    I hear this question a lot from creative directors and marketing teams or startups navigating the industry. Here’s the simple answer:When you hire a photographer, you’re paying for their expertise and time—not automatic ownership of the images. Just like music, software, or stock images, photography is intellectual property that requires…

  21. The Hidden Risk of Using Unlicensed Photos

    Your brand’s visuals set you apart—but are you sure you have the right to use all your images?Many creative teams unknowingly misuse photos because they assume 🚫 “We found it online, so we can use it.” 🚫 “We paid the photographer, so we own it outright.” 🚫 “No one will…

  22. Is Outdoor Photography Facing a Race to the Bottom?

    Anna Pfaff on the last pitch of Winter Dance an  ice climb in Hyalite Canyon Montana With AI transforming creative industries, outdoor photographers face a critical choice: compete on price or lean into creativity and connection. Can artistry and authenticity carve a path forward in this shifting landscape?I was recently…

  23. Order The 2025 Adventure Calendar - be inspired and organized

    The 2025 Adventure Calendar Has Arrived!**12 x 18-inch spiral bound vertically oriented** “People” is this year’s theme and the project - “Portraits of a Connection” Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to experience humanity, with my camera as my passport. Looking at people through the lens of love and respect…

  24. Capturing Outdoor Family Adventures with the Osprey Poco LT Baby Backpack

    Inside My Latest Spec Shoot: The Osprey Poco LT Baby Backpack in ActionImagine a rock climbing adventure through Spain’s breathtaking landscapes, from the cliffs of Mallorca to the rugged charm of Chulilla. Now, add a seven-month-old baby into the mix—our little Stone, who found peace napping and swinging at…

  25. Bringing the pixels to paper becomes an entirely different experience for me to critique my photography.

    To hold something in your hands creates an emotional bond to an object that is fundamentally different than viewing a digital screen. Bringing the pixels to paper becomes an entirely different experience for me to critique my work. But more importantly to bring my audience closer to connecting with the…
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