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Website: www.KiKopkau.com
Current Town: Seattle, WA
Digital or Film? Digital.
What kind of equipment are you on?
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 7D, Canon 17-40 4.0 L, Canon 28-70 2.8 L, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 70-200 2.8 L, Canon 400mm 5.6 L, AlienBee 400, Canon 580ex II, Nikon SB-28 (x3), Pocket Wizard Plus II (x4), Pocket Wizard mini-TT1, Seconic L385 Light Meter, bunch of light stands, a few bags, and duct tape. Combined weight (65lbs)
How long have you been Shooting?
I’ve always had cameras, but wasn’t until a few years ago I really started to get serious about trying to make it into something more than a hobby. I think it was also right around the time I started a more corporate type job and realized my life required some sort of creative outlet. I’m still trying to figure out how I can make a living and quit my desk job.
What is your favorite subject to shoot?
Any thing that moves I guess, but if it had to go with one…I’d say surfing. Unfortunately there’s not much of a market for surf photographers in Washington. My second choice would be an Olin Mills photographer.
Proper education, or self taught? If so, where?
Dad taught me how to hold a camera and enrolled me in basic darkroom classes when I was a kid. No other formal education when it comes to photography. I’ve always been interested to see what college programs had to offer, but more for the business side of things.
What is the best or favorite shoot you have ever done? Why?
My favorite would have to be few days shooting Snowmobile X-Game gold medalist Joe Parsons, with the crew from High Life Films. We had White Pass to ourselves, a snow cat for building features, a sled for everyone to get around on, plenty of beer, blue bird conditions, and a guy willing to back-flip a sled over a 120ft step-up until everyone got a perfect shot. It really made me realize how much a subject’s attitude can make a huge difference in shots I go home with.
Who are your mentors or influences?
It hard to name a single person, but if I had to construct the ideal photographer it would posses some of Ian Highlands technical skills, Jordan Manley’s creativity, and Chase Jarvis’s self-promotion mojo. Its really tough me not be influenced by everyone I see taking pictures professionally these days. There’s so much to be taken from seeing other photographers work and what they produce.
Tell us the funniest story from your shooting career:
I really don’t have a story that sticks out in my head as the funniest. I guess every time I strap on 45lbs of camera gear and attempt to ride a bike, snowboard, snowmobile, or hike, it can be pretty entertaining for everyone I’m with.
Tell us the most tragic story from you shooting career:
A few years ago I was shooting a FluidRide Cup @ Dry Hill and a CAT 1 kid made his way on to the Pro course during practice runs. He lost control and flew off into the woods near the corner I was shooting. He was up immediately trying to get his bike out of the bushes so I didn’t think it was that bad until I went over to help and noticed the cut on his thigh. He landed on a tree limb which sliced him down to the bone. He was freaking out a little insisting on riding down so Casey Northern and I did our best to keep him calm while we waited for the race EMT. Because of where he was on the track it took a little while to get him to off the run. I remember his mom screaming when she made it up the course only to see him being loaded into an ambulance.
