The social justice movements that took place during the past couple of years yielded a variety of changes within the cycling industry. While we could talk ad nauseam bout how impactful, beneficial, or sustaining those have been, I still see people from all sides of the cycling world fighting to be heard and recognized for their achievements. Still, the creative side of this industry feels quiet. I think it is time to expand on the list of names we see frequently out there visually documenting the various aspects of the sport. Over the course of the last three years, I have been building a database of WTF-NB (Women/Trans/Femme – Non-Binary) photographers and videographers that have been professionally working or emerging into the cycling industry. This list hosts WTF-NB from all over the world, each with a beautiful new set of eyes entering the sport we love. With this list, I hope to see these individuals receive the exposure they deserve because we can always use more beautiful pieces of work that capture the spirit of cycling.
It is my hope to keep this list ever-growing, utilize it as a resource for brands or others looking for diverse documentarians, and, on a quarterly basis, add additional names that come to light. Below, I have gathered a handful of biographies and work examples from some of the creatives that have already expressed interest in participating in this project and outline the steps to collaborate with me. I greatly appreciate the Radavist hosting this project introduction and my goal is to continue sharing more profiles and work examples from the collection of creatives.
Emily Bei Cheng
Emily lives in San Francisco, but if you’re trying to find her, look to the mountains. Her interest in photography grew in lockstep with an interest in mountaineering, stemming from the desire to venture off the beaten path and share stories about places few people go.
In her early 20s, she discovered cycling, which was initially just a way to cross-train for mountaineering. In the blink of an eye, she was hooked and now photographs a variety of genres, but is primarily drawn to adventure photography.
Emily Tidwell
Tidwell is an action sports photographer born in Minnesota. Her childhood was spent exploring the bluffs of the Mississippi and the shores of Lake Superior, scraping knees and getting mud caked to her shoes. When she wasn’t out exploring her backyard, Tidwell could be found at the feet of her father as he painted and sculpted in his home studio.
Tidwell found a love for skiing at an early age which sparked a passion for action sports. Combined with a love for the arts, she embarked on a lifelong journey to capture action sports at a high caliber level. Tidwell has spent her adult life in the western United States chasing action and currently lives in Reno, Nevada.
Tidwell came into mountain biking after the pandemic closed winter resorts early. Faced with contracts dropped and an unknown future, they turned to breaking into a new sport. Tidwell’s first introduction to the bike industry was as a photographer for Matchstick Productions premiere mountain bike film, A Biker’s Ballad. They have since been a part of Red Bull Rampage and several other events spanning the west coast.
Hanna Retz
“Since I was little, I’ve always had action sports around me! My dad had a motorcycle shop and my siblings and I got into motocross through him. I started to exploring the world of photography when I was 18 and I worked for a few years in an advertising photo studio. At this time I started to took photos of my motocross friends as I already really enjoyed capturing those moments. Back then I was only taking action sport photos for fun when I could find the time for it. At that time, I was more into enjoying the sport for myself. I know what it feels like to ride and enjoy it which helps me bring the passion, fun and lifestyle into my photos. However, after a few years in the advertising studio I decided to become a freelance photographer. I knew how much I loved the sport photography but also understood that it is a hard business to get paying jobs in. I started out looking for jobs in product and advertising to pay the bills.”
“During my free time I always wanted to do sport photography and met my mountain biking friends to learn more about action photography and worked on improving my skills as much as possible. I put a lot of passion and effort into this and the first companies from the cycling scene asked me if they can use my photos for social media or their websites. So I started getting some paying jobs. Now I consider myself very lucky that about 50% of my jobs are from the cycling industry. There’s still room to grow to get to 100% but it’s increasing little by little. I am thankful to be able to travel the world for my job and live my passion while riding bikes and motos.”
Katie Lozancich
Lozancich is an adventure and documentary photographer and filmmaker based in both Jackson, WY and Charlemont, MA. With a passion for rich storytelling driving each image, Lozancich’s work seeks to capture all the moments-big and small-behind an adventure.
Additionally, Lozancich is a fine art artist and uses artistic background to blur the lines between storytelling and art. While cycling dominates Lozancich’s work, you can also see snowsports, commercial and editorial work showcased as well.
Lian van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen is a Rotterdam-based photographer and content creative who specializes in endurance and gravel races like the Atlas Mountain Race, the Transcontinental Race, and he Migration Gravel Race.
Van Leeuwen is also the founder of Shift Cycling Culture, which addresses the environmental impact of cycling.
Mary McIntyre
“As a photographer and writer, I focus on where culture, environment, and adventure meet. Growing up in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, I came to love long days spent exploring at an early age.”
“Since getting my first passport at three months old, I’ve been in search of people, places, and stories, utilizing skis, bikes, or running shoes as a catalyst for connection and pressing the camera shutter to memorialize images of my home range along with the Himalaya, Andes, and many lesser-known locales in between. My main focus now is on documenting the diversity of human experience through narrative and imagery.”
Robin O’Neill
O’Neill is an outdoor lifestyle and action photographer based in Whistler, British Columbia. O’Neill’s editorial and social documentary backgrounds have helped develop a unique view into the wild landscapes and wilder personalities.
By translating passion for outdoor adventures into exciting visual stories and dramatic imagery, O’Neill has found success in working with many reputable outdoor brands, as well as winning the Whistler Deep Winter and Deep Summer Photo Showdowns, People’s Choice at WSSF 2019, and a finalist at Red Bull Illume 2019. O’Neill’’s insatiable curiosity and addiction to mountain life have perfectly combined to ensure ongoing grand adventures and a growing portfolio of outstanding images captured in the wild outdoors.
Shannon Corsi
Corsi is a commercial and editorial photographer, producer and director based in the Jackson Hole, WY area.
Corsi has worked with a wide variety of brands and publications, including :ululemon, Ford, Forbes, The Financial Times, Tripadvisor, ESPN Magazine, Ralph Lauren and more.
If you’d like to be added to this database, head on over to fill out this form!
