My favorite aspect of the photoshoot is the excitement of turning up on location and unpacking the new gear as it arrives. As professional kiters, we are uniquely tuned in to every piece of equipment; we have a very personal connection to these products and unboxing the final presentation never gets old. From a manager’s side, seeing the new designs for the first time in person and watching the products being unleashed into skilled hands is gratifying. When the camera can capture it, witnessing the stoke on our riders’ faces and collecting the action that unfolds is a magical feeling. By the time a collection photo shoot rolls around, you’ve invested months of office time, tweaking a flat product on your computer through multiple stages of design, graphics and 3D renditions. You’ve watched countless prototypes move through the office in various states of completion, but the photo shoot is the ceremonious finale””a quiet red carpet extravaganza where the evolution is complete, and the
photographer must capture the exhilarating feel and experience of a million design decisions.

Tkb’s Vol. 18, No. 1 spring 2021 digital issue is available now. The print issue will be landing in mailboxes soon!