Meet Jameson Midgett | Photographer, Backcountry Ski Guide, & Outdoor Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jameson Midgett and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jameson, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Throughout high school I was really lacking a passion for anything that came from a textbook and had trouble sitting still long enough to develop one. After taking my mom’s 8 megapixel Kodak point and shoot on a trip to NYC at 13, I quickly fell in love with taking photos and being able to play with composition and light with a click of a button. After some unexpected success in a Scholastic Art & Writing exhibition, I set my sights on Appalachian State University’s Commercial Photography program as it was the only thing I was remotely interested in when it came to school. At the tail end of my senior year of high school, I interned with local North Carolina commercial photographer, Fabio Camara. This really opened my eyes to the potential of a career with a camera in my hand. Over the course of ASU’s photo program, I had started photographing local & touring bands for my friend Richard Oakley’s music magazine, “The Poke Around”. These were some of my first gigs as a “working” photographer and I loved the challenges that concert photography forced me to work through, as well as the awesome connections made with folks in the crowd and the musicians on stage. As much as I enjoyed live music, I equally loved recreating outdoors (mountain biking, rock climbing, etc) and had a lot of rad outdoorsmen friends who were stoked to let me photograph them. Knowing this, I ran with it for my senior portfolio, the final semester long assignment that was the key to completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Photography.
Post-college, I was ready to get out of North Carolina and explore the western part of the country where the skiing was far superior to Carolina’s 800 vertical feet of mediocre skiing. This landed me in Steamboat Springs, CO where I worked as a ski instructor and served at a local restaurant during the 2017-18 season. Towards the end of my first summer here in town, two coworkers from separate jobs informed me of a photo position opening up at Steamboat Powdercats (local backcountry snowcat skiing operation on Buffalo Pass). Four years later, I’m still skiing powder everyday with a camera in hand!
Photography has opened up so many doors and allowed for some life changing connections and experiences that I would’ve never had the chance of having if it weren’t for my camera. It’s not an easy career path by any means, especially in a small ski town, but it’s always allowing for new adventures and most importantly, a smile on my face.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, in order to be able to afford the every increasing prices of Steamboat, juggling multiple jobs isn’t uncommon but through doing so, I feel I’m growing more as a well rounded individual everyday. From serving tables, to instructing mountain biking, to ski guiding/photo in the winter, and live music photography on the weekends, it is far from easy. Fortunately, I took the quote, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” to heart so the hustle isn’t so bad. I believe the key to my happiness and future success is just keeping a positive outlook on life, being grateful for every day and every opportunity that comes my way. Getting outside with friends on bikes, rafts, or skis, really helps fuel my stoke for doing what I love and making the most out of every day.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a buddy was coming to visit for a week I’d say we get out of town and explore the natural beauty that surrounds us. A couple days floating and camping on the river or riding bikes on some new trails sounds pretty nice as the end of this 2022 ski season quickly approaches. I’d for sure do some brewery hopping, hunt down a food truck, then see what live music is going on that weekend.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Right off the bat, my high school art teacher, Mrs. Jackson-Adams, deserves a big shoutout for giving me my first photo critiques and encouraging me to enter some of my work into local photo competitions. This was the first step for me in realizing that I had potential with photography.
Secondly, a huge shoutout to my Steamboat Powdercats family! We’ve got one of the best jobs in the world but it wouldn’t be the same without the stoke, knowledge, and humor that y’all bring to Buff Pass everyday. Thanks for letting me join the powder skiing party.
Last but certainly not least, my parents, Susan & Rob, for supporting me in pursuing my passion from high school to today. Without them, I have no idea where I’d be or what I’d be doing. Love y’all.
Website: jamesonmidgettphoto.com
Instagram: @jamesonmidgettphoto.com
Image Credits
©JamesonMidgett