Laura Obermeyer is a visual creator and alpine enthusiast from the US who has a wide, but curated, range of creative pursuits. From photography and directing video projects, to hosting radio shows, Laura shares with us some of the journey into the creative side of the snowsports industry.
Hi there! Could you introduce yourself and what you do for the readers?
Of course! My name is Laura. I am a multi-media creative. My work makes frequent stops at things like film making, photography, drawing, graphic design, music production, painting, and writing. A lot of my work centers around skiing, which leaves me the other half of the year to fill my time with the callings of being a cowboy. I live and work on a ranch, and in the winter I travel around documenting people who are really good at this little sport that I love so much. It’s a huge privilege that I am massively grateful for.
What is your background? How did you build your creative portfolio?
I didn’t go to university out of high school. I knew I wanted to shoot skiing and be creative and get out of the feeling of suppression that I felt being in a classroom. I reached out to Newschoolers about shooting Dew Tour that same year, and I got the job. A media pass to an event like that was something I had only ever dreamed of. I continued on immersing myself in the free skiing scene. I was event chasing the way some people storm chase. I’ve been super fortunate to meet and connect with a large web of people in the niche of skiing I like to participate in, and shooting as often as I could made a huge difference. I said yes to everything I could, and continue to do so with a better understanding of the things I enjoy and the things that exhaust me.
Dane Kirk at Superunknown, 2018.
How do you think the landscapes you come into contact with impacts the mediums you choose to use in your art and designs?
I am largely inspired by the American West, which is home to me. I think what is most important to me about the desert and the mountains that I spend so much of my time in, is that even when I am not feeling like directly making something, just being in these landscapes supports the creative process by how much they invigorate me mentally, physically, and spiritually. I think it’s such a gift to get to interact with wild spaces via whatever your preferred method- be it skis or bikes or horseback- it really is one of the best parts of being a human.
Moab, Utah.
What has been your favourite project thus far?
Like any artist, I’m never satisfied hahaha. I have some projects that are upcoming that I’m thrilled about. I’d have to say that In Your Dreams took the most work, time, and energy to get over the finish line. I’m really proud of my friends involved with it and the impact it seemed to have.
It makes me excited to continue evolving as a filmmaker as well- lots of room for growth
What are you excited about in the outdoor scene at the moment?
So much! For one thing, FLINTA* ski scene is popping off and I really feel like we’re entering a bit of a golden age for it. Also the fact that the acronym FLINTA* exists! I had a lot of trouble describing our films as all women, because we aren’t all women. We have involvement of trans and non binary and queer friends and athletes, and it always felt like an erasure to say the film is all female. FLINTA* stands for female, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, trans, asexual, and anyone who doesn’t identify as a cis-man. It’s so nice that as our visions and experiences develop, language does as well.
I’m also really stoked on the shift in contest formats for skiing. I’d like to see more gender inclusion, but things like SLVSH Cup, SuperUnknown, and Jib League are all such sick events that I think embody the soul of skiing well. Skiings just so fun hahaha.
How has your experience as a FLINTA* in adventure sports been in the outdoors?
I feel like I have been fortunate to choose the path I have being a creative in the industry. I’ve received so much opportunity that may be due to brands wanting to check a box, but I have never struggled to get support in my work, whether that’s in the form of ski passes or skis or whatever. I have a lot to offer brands, but it’s also hard to not compare myself and my skiing to those I’m surrounded by and get waves of the pesky imposter syndrome. I definitely didn’t have any flinta* film makers or artists in the industry I was looking up to, and I hope I help change that for younger generations.
What would you say to anyone looking to pursue photography, film-making or graphic design as a career?
Doing it is the best education you can get for it. Find a niche you care about and do it well. You’ll be unpaid often, but that doesn’t make it less worth it. Have fun.
Finally, are there any creatives you'd like to shoutout?
DJ’s everywhere <3
Some of my outdoors specific inspirations include:
Rosina Friedel, Kellyn Wilson, Sämi Ortlieb, Nessa Dziemian, Shane McFalls, and Lynn Birrer.
Instagram: @lauraobermeyer
Website: Laura Obermeyer Visual Creator
Laura's Patreon: LCO
Laura's favorite way to engage with the outdoors.
Artwork for upcoming ski graphics, Mexico City 2024.
Laura Obermeyer for Schusser Threads.
A huge thank you to Laura for sharing their experiences and journey in the snowsports and creative industries.
I'd love it if you could send this to your friends to share Laura's work with the world.
Happy creating!
Abi x
All images courtesy of Laura Obermeyer.