As I read the news of Warren Miller passing recently, the temperature dropped 15 degrees in 5 minutes while I watched a beautiful wall of heavy snow barrel across the Gallatin Valley. It seemed perfectly fitting.
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, my good friend Will Littman called to ask if I could come up to Warren's YC home immediately to record a bunch of audio promos. I dropped everything, grabbed my equipment and hit the road. I could not believe I was actually in the directors seat telling him when to start..."action!" I could hardly breathe! Over the next couple hours I sat in awe as as I listened to the voice, that voice….the voice that I heard in my dreams as a child. I've been listening to all those raw recordings now for the last hour, and it brings joyous tears to my eyes.
Warren's films, his attitude, and zest for life influenced me more than he could ever know. As a kid, I slept with my ski boots next to the bed, hero posters adorned my ceiling and walls, and yes, I even skied with black gators over jeans. But I never thought I could actually live the dream…Over the years, I've tried my best to capture our little slice of skiing heaven here in Montana, and was honored when Warren graciously said he would write the foreword to my ski book that I had worked on for 8 long years. He laid it on thick, and I was very appreciative and very humbled.
But the thing is, I am not even in the top ten of best ski photographers in the area: Lonnie Ball, Ryan Turner, Travis Andersen, Bob Allen, Kene Sperry, Simon Peterson, Drew Pogge, Chris Kamman, Pat Clayton, Yogesh Simpson. All of you by far surpass any images I've managed to conjure up over the years, and seeing your work inspires me on a daily basis. I now watch now as a younger generation of super talented ski/mountaineering photographers and athletes: Max Lowe, Colton Stiffler, Ryan Day Thompson etc continue to set the bar higher and higher and am amazed.
I know we were all were influenced by Warren, and I'm sure he would proud. And if you are out there sitting on the fence trying to decide wether or not to follow your heart…“If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year older when you do.” WM
New Projects: I closed my shop and gallery back in 2016, both to save money to build a home studio and spend more time at home with my family. But this time not running the shop has luckily also given me time to pursue other endeavors.
In the fall of 2018, I took on a construction project in Philipsburg to rebuild an old cordwood structure that I had known about for years. I had met the previous owner David years ago while working for Montana FWP in Anaconda helping build an interpretive center at the Washoe fish hatchery in the summer of 1996. I had stopped into his shop "Montana Possibles" and was amazed by the home he was building next door. The seed was planted.
Fast forward 2017, and we were looking at a gallery space to purchase in Philipsburg that unfortunately did not come to fruition. Shortly following that deal falling through (congrats to Pat - Fish Eye Guy - who has since made it into a great gallery space!), I found out that Dave had passed, and his place down the street was up for sale. It was in very, very rough shape, unfinished, and barely salvageable. Luckily, I had just finished taking a week long cordwood building class with Rob Roy in upstate New York. My plan was to use this technique to build a new studio in my backyard at home, but life had other plans. With my wife's encouragement and blessing, I took the money I had saved to build the studio, and put it all down on Dave's place in Pburg, got a loan from the local bank, and got to work right away with the plans to turn it into a rental property / gallery.
Now after 7 years, much blood, sweat, tears, cash and countless hours working on the project, I am very happy to announce that it is "done" and the Sasquatch Sanctuary is now officially open to the public!
It is currently set up as a short term rental on VRBO or Airbnb, and I am and am still slowly working on it while adding more installations and artwork for all to enjoy. So far this spring, the feedback has been great from everyone who has stayed.... Be sure to check it out if you are needing a little getaway!
I must apologize: This is my first emai and blog post l since Christmas, and I've been purposely ignoring all social media since then as well for a little mental break. These days, social media is still needed for business, but I was burnt out and honestly had become addicted to all of it as well. The break was very good me, and not sure how much I will get back to it in the future, but will continue to do the best I can!
Thank you for your continued support!
All the best, Craig
Feel free to send me an Email or call 406-522-7798 if you have any questions or comments.
As winter takes a short respite with warm springlike temps and sunny days, it’s hard not to marvel at the incredible winter we had in Montana this year! Seems like it has been too long since we had a real one. This season has been nothing short of magical, crisp air and clean cold snow have painted the world in dull yet bright hues of white and silver, transforming everyday scenes into a brisk winter wonderland.
Took most of January to finish up Christmas orders, with lots of studio and family time. Work in the studio and on other construction projects (more info to come) were mixed in with a decent amount of skiing, and it has been just what the doctor ordered. More new work to be posted to the site this spring, and more new projects in the works. Thanks for all the support!
View from "Pats Chute" looking up at Saddle Peak on an amazing Powder day at Bridger Bowl.
Bradley Meadows at Bridger Bowl...may be the last year for out of bounds skinning??
A gift from the past...New print release! Was just going through some of my older files to get a large print made for a client of "Fairy Lake" from 2006. While digging through the files, I found a little Christmas present to myself....a hidden folder of some images I had completely forgot about! It included this panorama of one of my favorite places in the Northern Bridgers, the "Flathead Pass Ranger Station".
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Also in News
New work, taking a social break and launching a new business...
July 02, 2025
New Work:
"Spanish Balsamroot" Spanish Peaks, 2025
"3 Dollar Eve" Madison River, 2025
New Projects:
"Calving Season - Flint Creek" Philipsburg 2017
New Projects:
I closed my shop and gallery back in 2016, both to save money to build a home studio and spend more time at home with my family. But this time not running the shop has luckily also given me time to pursue other endeavors.
In the fall of 2018, I took on a construction project in Philipsburg to rebuild an old cordwood structure that I had known about for years. I had met the previous owner David years ago while working for Montana FWP in Anaconda helping build an interpretive center at the Washoe fish hatchery in the summer of 1996. I had stopped into his shop "Montana Possibles" and was amazed by the home he was building next door. The seed was planted.
Fast forward 2017, and we were looking at a gallery space to purchase in Philipsburg that unfortunately did not come to fruition. Shortly following that deal falling through (congrats to Pat - Fish Eye Guy - who has since made it into a great gallery space!), I found out that Dave had passed, and his place down the street was up for sale. It was in very, very rough shape, unfinished, and barely salvageable. Luckily, I had just finished taking a week long cordwood building class with Rob Roy in upstate New York. My plan was to use this technique to build a new studio in my backyard at home, but life had other plans. With my wife's encouragement and blessing, I took the money I had saved to build the studio, and put it all down on Dave's place in Pburg, got a loan from the local bank, and got to work right away with the plans to turn it into a rental property / gallery.
Now after 7 years, much blood, sweat, tears, cash and countless hours working on the project, I am very happy to announce that it is "done" and the Sasquatch Sanctuary is now officially open to the public!
It is currently set up as a short term rental on VRBO or Airbnb, and I am and am still slowly working on it while adding more installations and artwork for all to enjoy. So far this spring, the feedback has been great from everyone who has stayed.... Be sure to check it out if you are needing a little getaway!
The Sasquatch Sanctuary, a livable work of art in Pburg.
I must apologize:
This is my first emai and blog post l since Christmas, and I've been purposely ignoring all social media since then as well for a little mental break. These days, social media is still needed for business, but I was burnt out and honestly had become addicted to all of it as well. The break was very good me, and not sure how much I will get back to it in the future, but will continue to do the best I can!
Thank you for your continued support!
All the best,
Craig
Feel free to send me an Email or call 406-522-7798 if you have any questions or comments.
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Embracing the Beauty of a Cold, Snowy Winter: Skiing, Studio and Family Time
February 27, 2025
As winter takes a short respite with warm springlike temps and sunny days, it’s hard not to marvel at the incredible winter we had in Montana this year! Seems like it has been too long since we had a real one. This season has been nothing short of magical, crisp air and clean cold snow have painted the world in dull yet bright hues of white and silver, transforming everyday scenes into a brisk winter wonderland.
Took most of January to finish up Christmas orders, with lots of studio and family time. Work in the studio and on other construction projects (more info to come) were mixed in with a decent amount of skiing, and it has been just what the doctor ordered. More new work to be posted to the site this spring, and more new projects in the works. Thanks for all the support!
Continue reading
A gift from the past...
December 23, 2024
A gift from the past...New print release!
Was just going through some of my older files to get a large print made for a client of "Fairy Lake" from 2006. While digging through the files, I found a little Christmas present to myself....a hidden folder of some images I had completely forgot about! It included this panorama of one of my favorite places in the Northern Bridgers, the "Flathead Pass Ranger Station".
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!!
"Flathead Pass Ranger Station"
Continue reading