Behind the Lens: Sam Weaver

Name: Sam Weaver

Location: PDX. Originally from Boston, MA

Years skating: 10ish

Years shooting: 15ish, 4 years seriously.

How did you get into photography?

I’ve been shooting forever (at least it feels that way) I started getting serious about it as a way to showcase the skating of my buddies growing up.

What inspires you?

Skaters! And landscapes. Damron has been producing some awesome stuff recently. Have you seen those Max Dubler night time shots of Matt K? Holy shit, epic. Adam C. is a beast behind the lens. I know everyone has seen his video work, but man, there are some unreleased images he showed me this summer, I think I might have drooled.

I’ve always been a big fan of Ansel Adams. I was given a book of his color photography a few years ago, changed the way I look at landscapes forever.

I’m seriously into cinemagraphs. Moving pictures!?! What is this sorcery!

What kind of gear do you like to shoot with?

I love shooting film, but it’s prohibitively expensive and hard to find places to develop it myself. I shoot with a Canon camera, and lenses of all types, including old ass Nikon lenses. Pocket Wizards were the best investment I’ve ever made.

Any advice to fellow photographers?

If you’re shooting in full auto, you’re not a fucking photographer. There is always room for improvement. Experimentation is the most important part of learning to photograph.

Favorite story behind a photo:

Not one specifically, but I love shooting while skating. It allows me to do my two favorite activities simultaneously. When I’m shooting on the ground I always know what the picture will look like, I love scrolling through images after a run, and getting stoked on what I captured.

Who have you shot for/where has your work been published?

Loaded, Bern, Blue Sky, Green Street, Skate[Slate], Roots Lifestyles (they may have a different name now). Only published in CW once. Hoping for more!

Contact info:

theskatedistrict.com

skatedistrictfilms@gmail.com

Fuck Facebook, don’t bother. Also fuck Instagram.

Justus Zimmerly

Born in Chicago and raised on the flat Canadian prairies, it wasn’t until moving to Ontario for school in 2005 that Justus got a taste for riding skateboards down hills. Since then it’s been a bit of an obsession. He graduated with a degree in Film Studies, but spent as much time focussed on skateboarding as he did on studying. Now he’s living the good life in Oakland, California, riding his motorcycle and working as Editor-in-chief for Skate[Slate].