Age: 29
Home: Verbier, Switzerland since 97. I was born in Halifax and grew up in Ottawa
In the Bag: Nikon F5, D70, Nikon lenses such as fisheye, 17-35mm f.2.8, 35-70mm f.2.8, 80-200mm f.2.8, 70-300mm f.4.5/5.6, 2 Speedlight flashes, wireless slave and my lunch

Check out all of Yves Photos on Biglines:
Photos By Yves Garneau

Visit Yves Website:
www.g1photo.com


Biglines:
You’ve been living and shooting in Europe for the past few years What brought you, and what has keeps you over there?

Yves:
After high school I drove out west with a buddy to spend a couple of seasons in Whistler. During the second winter we met Ken Achenbach, who runs the camp of Champions, and he told us about these two resorts in Europe. One of them was Verbier and he said it was incredible. Later that week two of my friends and I agreed we’d check it out the following season. We’ve all been in Europe ever since. I started shooting while in Whistler but didn’t get really serious until I moved to Europe. This is where I’ve set up most of my contacts.






Biglines:
How and when did you get into photography?

Yves:
It was when I moved to Whistler in 96 that I got into the photos. A few of my friends were taking pictures and I was blown away with what they were capturing. I went out that week and bought a little instamatic camera and threw some slide film in. I was hooked!

Biglines:
What are some of your favourite places to shoot?

Yves:
Hard to say. Every new place I visit is interesting because it’s fresh to the eyes. My favorite shots having been taken all around the globe but for ski and snowboard photos I’d have to say Le Valais, Switzerland. There are so many crazy backdrops and beautiful faces to shoot. Every year I’m discovering a new favorite place.

Biglines:
How hard has it been to break into the business and really start earning a living from photography – or have you managed to do that yet?

Yves:
Yes, I think I’ve managed to break into the business. It wasn’t an overnight process, for which I’m glad because it’s helped me to develop all the other sides of being a professional photographer. Taking the photos is only a third of the work. Knowing your worth is the second and negotiating a sale is the third. When I had my first shots published back in 2001 I thought I was in the game. It was only a mater of time before I realized that making a living from photography would be a practice of patience and determination.






Biglines:
Who do you shoot with most of the time?

Yves:
I shoot with a Switzerland’s top female snowboarder, Géraldine Fasnacht, a bunch of the time. She is pretty on top of sorting out budgets for helicopters and movie projects. When she calls me up I know I’m likely to get some great shots in a new place. When I’m not on assignment I spend most of my shooting days with Canadian skier, Jonas Delogne. We’ve known each other for several years and have a great time getting shots done.


Biglines:
Whats different about the environment in Europe as compared with North America?

Yves:
I can’t speak for all of North America because there are a few epic locations I have yet to visit but in terms of general resort skiing it’s the access to steep lines. The Europeans don’t hesitate when it comes to building lifts up crazy peaks; in fact I think they thrive off it. In Europe you have the right to be responsible and make decisions for yourself where in North America, the land of the free, we let big brother decide where and how we’ll ski with in the resort. There are pros and cons to both but I’d rather have the choice be mine. Otherwise I’d have to say it’s the one-piece suits.

Biglines:
What was your first camera?

Yves:
Pentax instamatic…ohh the good old days of point and shoot.

Biglines:
Where else can we find your photos?

Yves:
I’ve been submitting to more and more mags every year and it seems to be working. I contribute to a few other sites, spend a bunch of time on my own and work with a bunch of small and big businesses in the ski industry.






Biglines:
What stands out as one of your most memorable trips or shooting stories?

Yves:
I’d be lying if I didn’t say the heli trips. Last year and this year I was shooting the stills for some local ski and snowboard productions and we had three or four days of flying. I was dropped in some pretty cool locations and got to shoot hanging out the side of the heli. The pressure is on when you only have one chance to get it but that’s all part of the rush. I have to mention Japan also…haven’t seen that much snow since I was two foot tall!

Biglines:
Have you been witness to some scary experiences while shooting?

Yves:
For sure! Skiers and snowboarders are always pushing it when it comes to getting the shots. I’m not supporting Kodak courage but lets be honest…99% of shots are set up and sometimes miss-calculations happen. The scariest is when I am out of range to help someone if the shit hits the fan. Last winter I was shooting with Xavier Jordan and Alex Coudray and we had scoped out a big face just on the French boarder. We drove into France, took the lifts up and walked the ridge to the Swiss boarder to get into position. When we reached the summit of our prospective face we noticed a track that had already been made minutes earlier. Fifteen meters after the track started we saw the crown of a fracture that spread across the whole face. Two Swedish boarders had dropped in and the whole thing went. We only heard the faint sounds of screams and instantly called Air Glacier. Within forty-five minutes they were airlifted out and miraculously survived. It freaked me to think what would have happened had we not shown up and if it had been us. We never met the Swedes or even found out who they were…they were out of sight but I’ll never forget the screams for help we looked down the face.






Biglines:
What does the future have in store?

Yves:
I’m off to Taiwan to cover the Nokia Totally Board event in July, which should be exotic and sticky. Can’t imagine how they’ll be able to make snow in that heat. I also have a few more events in August. Otherwise a bit of surfing in the fall and getting ready for another big winter.

Biglines:
Can you give some tips/hints to aspiring photographers?

Yves:
My advice is not to get too hung up on your photos. If this is the profession you want to pursue then you will have to send away your best images. Sometimes those images will get damaged, lost or held onto for long periods of time...it's no fun but it happens. If you are a professional you will be taking thousands of great shots through out the years and will quickly make up for what doesn't work out the first time round. If you want
to convey professionalism then submit only your best. Get set up with a good computer and scanner, log/label everything and advise clients of your intentions. Lots of people have great shots but knowing your clients needs
puts you in the front row. Everyone, except for the mags with set rates, is after the best deal. Learn to negotiate in a professional manner. Not every company can afford the big wig rates and some big wig companies try and pay
the little guy rates. Find out who your dealing with. Stick to your word. Get a website and don't let it go stagnant...your fans want to see the latest and greatest. Last of all, be patient and don't stop shooting!

Right on - Thanks Yves!