Howie Stern. If you happen to don’t know his title, you in all probability have seen his photographs.
Howie appears to be photographing runners at each massive occasion within the U.S. Whether or not it’s Tara Dower coated in cactus on the Javelina 100 Mile or chasing Courtney Dauwalter via the hills of the Hardrock 100, Howie has made a reputation for himself capturing the essence and human nature that makes the game of ultrarunning so fascinating. I’ve talked with Howie fairly a number of instances over espresso in Silverton, Colorado, the place we each stay — you possibly can at all times discover him on the espresso store — about operating, journey, and artwork, and it’s excessive time I give him the ground right here.
Howie Stern along with his canines, Miki and Joey. All photographs courtesy of Howie Stern.
When did you get into images, and the way did it evolve right into a profession? And the place did operating are available in?
I first thought of taking pictures once I moved to Silverton, Colorado, in 2014. I used to be recent off a divorce and life reset and was attempting to determine what route to go that will allow me to be with my canines 24/7 and work for myself, as a result of I by no means may match into the nine-to-five way of life. I had a number of buddies, corresponding to Criss Furman and Ivan Buzik, who had been photographers and it type of opened my eyes to that world.
Seeing how stunning the San Juan Mountains of Colorado had been within the fall, I used to be taking tons of images with my telephone and other people appeared to dig them, and searching again, that was the second I spotted I wanted to get an actual digital camera once more. I hadn’t actually touched a digital camera since highschool.
So, in February 2015, I picked up a Nikon and determined to start out taking pictures ultras. I had been an ultrarunner for 15 years at that time, so my purpose was to convey what I felt as a runner to the digital camera’s eye. For me, it grew to become a profession from the beginning. There was no plan B, there was no making a gift of photographs for publicity. The one manner this could work was to go all in and act accordingly. A couple of photographers I knew at all times mentioned “you’ll by no means make something,” however I ignored them. I wasn’t going to surrender on dwelling life on my phrases, which meant by no means being away from Miki and Joey, my malamute and husky, in addition to working for one thing that I used to be inherently enthusiastic about.
How do the artistic parts of images translate into operating for you or vice versa?
I may say that my operating is impressed by gentle. I strongly dislike operating in the course of the day, as a result of the sunshine is so harsh, simply as I dislike taking pictures in the course of the day, for related causes. That being mentioned, I’d say I’m a fan of operating at sundown for the fantastic thing about the sunshine high quality. I like operating at dawn excessive on peaks, to see the sunshine altering, the overlapping ridges within the distance — similar for the sundown, actually. However I don’t do it actually because I’m extra of an evening owl and have a tendency to sleep in except there’s a giant goal, or somebody to make getting up early a lovely choice.
Howie magnificently captures low night gentle within the mountains.
One factor I do whereas operating is that I are likely to see the paths and panorama via my digital camera’s eye. So many instances, I’ll make a psychological notice of locations that I wish to return to, to {photograph} a runner or the panorama.
Are there any explicit pictures that you simply love? Or any notably memorable moments whereas photographing?
Over the previous 10 years of photographing operating, there have been so many moments that had been particular. A couple of positively stand out for me. One in all my favorites was a picture I took of Amelia Boone at Huge Canine’s Yard Extremely. I by no means take footage of individuals throwing up, it’s simply fully off placing to me. In some unspecified time in the future within the race, in the course of the warmth and humidity, she pushed herself to the restrict and was on the bottom and misplaced her abdomen. I simply occurred to see her in a nasty second, however as she fought to rise up to make the beginning of the subsequent yard, she stared straight at me for a second, and I snapped the picture. You may simply really feel all she was feeling wanting into her eyes. To me, it’s every little thing operating and the human spirit is about.
Amelia Boone regrouping for an additional loop at Huge Canine’s Yard Extremely.
In all probability an important picture I ever captured was the second this 12 months on the Barkley Marathons when Jasmin Paris made historical past. There are a variety of unimaginable pictures from some others that had been there, however the one I captured was the one one of many precise second she tapped and collapsed over the gate, spit and hair flying, as she gave every little thing she needed to make it occur. Seeing her husband operating behind her, the expressions on John Kelly and Jared Campbell, Laz [Gary Cantrell] ready, and everybody cheering within the background. I photographed Jasmin throughout all three of her makes an attempt, and to lastly see all of it come collectively was really the best second in sports activities I’ve ever witnessed. I cried for 10 minutes after the mud all settled. I’m even tearing up now.
Howie Stern’s now iconic picture of Jasmin Paris ending the 2024 Barkley Marathons, as the primary girl ever to complete the grueling race.
Who has impressed you as a photographer and as a runner?
I’m type of odd in all probability, I don’t actually look to different photographers for inspiration, I by no means wish to copy. I really feel what I really feel as a runner, and simply attempt to convey that throughout within the tales I seize. I fail at that rather a lot, however there are moments once I handle to get one thing I’m pleased with. Beginning out, I used to be actually impressed by Criss [Furman]’s pleasure when he nailed a shot. He used to convey his pc over to me on the espresso store to indicate me the photographs he was pleased with. He’d at all times have such a giant smile and be so completely satisfied. I really feel identical to he did once I nail one thing.
So far as operating, actually, I in all probability was most impressed by my canines, they only seemed so easy and completely satisfied once they ran. I nonetheless take into consideration them once I’m struggling in a 100 miler. I’m going, “Be like Joey, run completely satisfied like he did, and by no means cease!” He even walked a mile via Silverton and kissed the Hardrock on his final day of life, December 24, 2019.
If you happen to may {photograph} any topic proper now outdoors of operating, what wouldn’t it be and why?
Wolves and polar bears. I’m fascinated by each. Canine have been such an enormous a part of my being the final couple a long time, that I wish to {photograph} the animals they descended from. Particularly since in most of the locations they roam, they’re threatened with eradication.
A few years in the past, I obtained to {photograph} a brief expedition within the Arctic on Baffin Island. On the primary day within the backcountry, I adopted recent polar bear tracks alongside the route I used to be scouting. It was a type of “Nationwide Geographic”-feeling moments the place you type of notice you stepped into a unique world. I by no means noticed the bear that made them, however now it’s turn out to be a purpose to return and see them. Hopefully in 2025 it can occur on my subsequent journey there.
If you happen to may give recommendation to a photographer seeking to make it their dwelling, what would you say?
Discover your area of interest. Everybody shoots these days, what are you able to do to distinguish your self? In any other case, you’ll be misplaced on the planet of clones. Additionally, don’t shortchange your self or undercut everybody else, it solely hurts the business on a complete. Know your worth and persist with it.
Katharina Hartmuth, photographed within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
Do you might have any insights or critiques on how ultrarunning is documented as of late? Something you wish to see or do otherwise?
Give the athletes and crews house. It’s become a mob scene at too many occasions. Not all elites, runners, or crews wish to have 10 cameras of their faces at help stations or the end. I additionally really feel, Instagram, so many are simply copying the identical results and photographs, and every little thing is simply beginning to look the identical.
What’s your favourite digital camera to make use of if you’re out within the mountains?
If I’m operating, simply my iPhone. It’s small and light-weight and is at all times there. And surprisingly, you are able to do some respectable stuff with it. For the great things, recently a Sony A9iii. As a result of it’s small, gentle, and insanely highly effective, together with the lenses, I can run with it and take it on larger runs to {photograph} athletes within the cool locations. However I’ve been recognized to have Canon and Nikon as nicely, haha. I’m not model loyal.
And random query that I ask everybody: in case you might be a tree what sort of tree would you be?
I’d be a needle tree like a Bristlecone Pine. I imply, you reside up excessive, in stunning locations, and also you get to expertise the universe for hundreds of years. And, nicely, they appear twisted, gnarly, and resilient!
Name for Feedback
Are you a fan of Howie Stern’s work? What are your private favorites of his pictures?