Finding Grip: Documenting a Climbing Community in Motion

There’s a quiet truth in climbing that most people miss—it’s not just about summiting rock. It’s about the space between the holds. The tension in a glance before a move. The way chalk lingers in the air like a memory. That’s where I find the story.

I’m not just photographing athletes—I’m witnessing problem solvers, risk takers, community builders. People who give just as much to each other as they do to the rock.

My recent project follows a trio of climbers—Rob, Rachel, and Charles—whose friendships are as foundational as the granite they cling to. What started as a shoot about technique and exposure turned into something deeper: a story of trust, identity, mentorship, and chosen family.

Rob develops new climbing routes not for the glory of the first ascent, but so that anyone—regardless of skill—can experience the joy of a clean line. Rachel finds peace in the stillness of a route, where the wind and stone silence the noise of everyday life. Charles re-entered the sport later in life and quickly found purpose, confidence, and community through long trad routes and shared laughs at belay ledges.

These are not just climbers. They’re connectors. And capturing that—mid-pitch or mid-conversation—has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my work.

Photographers like Jimmy Chin and Corey Rich have had a huge impact on how I approach this kind of storytelling. Their ability to balance technical mastery with emotional weight—whether on Everest or on a sunlit crag in Yosemite—taught me that the best climbing photography isn’t just about the summit, but the soul. Like them, I’m drawn to moments of raw vulnerability, grit, and the unspoken trust between people on the wall.

Each image I take is about more than the climb. It’s about the relationship between the climber and the cliff, and between the climbers themselves. From the Adirondacks to West Virginia, from indoor gyms to sunlit crags, I’m chasing moments that feel both grounded and infinite.

This project is an ongoing exploration. Not just of climbing, but of the people who find themselves through it—and the beautiful, messy, powerful connections they build on the way up.

Climber, Rob Upton, ascends a challenging route in the Shawangunks, NY, maintaining focus and determination as he nears the summit.