Check Out Jonathan Watt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Watt.

Hi Jonathan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Colorado native and exploring is in my blood. John Muir was a great uncle of mine. I grew up racing BMX as a kid and entered my first race was when I was 13, in Greeley, CO in ’89. I also had friends when I was young who were in to adventuring and exploring, and went to summer camps where big hikes and backpacking were involved. In ’94, I was introduced to downhill mountain biking. I was instantly hooked, and mountain bike racing instantly became a huge part of my life. I raced throughout college, traveling all over Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. In 1999, I won the collegiate national championships for dual slalom while I was at Colorado State University. I continued college and graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and then followed up with a M.S. in Biomechanics. I got a job out of school working for the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Boulder, CO as their biomechanist. I then wanted to include my engineering degree and I got a job as an engineer designing fitness equipment. But all along, still traveling the U.S. and racing mountain bikes professionally. In 2010, I got a job as a design engineer designing mountain bike suspension, and still have that as my primary day job that I love.

In 2021, I started reflecting on my racing career and realized I had very little photos to show for all the amazing places that I had seen in Colorado and all over the world. I started phasing out of competitive racing, but kept my passion for big mountain adventures, camping, hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding… I started to stop more along the way and take more photos with my GoPro (my only camera at the time). I was getting hooked more on the photography side. I bought my first real camera from a coworker who gave me a great deal and really helped me to get started! From there, just like I became very competitive in mountain bike racing, I’ve really gotten in to photography. In 2023, I entered my first photo contest. I entered the city of Manitou Springs annual photo contest, and I won!

I have two amazing daughters who are my world. I’ve been able to share my passion for outdoor adventure, mountain biking, hiking, exploring with them! My girls are my biggest motivation for everything that I do!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My photography business is just getting started. I’m still an engineer and I enjoy my job and design work. Honestly I have had some life struggles along the way, but photography and getting outdoors has been very therapeutic for me! I’m in the midst of growing, learning, and developing my photography business and I’m excited for what the future may hold!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think what sets me apart from others is the amount of exploring of Colorado I have done, and how passionate I am about it. And the way I’ve been able to combine big mountain adventures with high quality photography. I’ve carried camera gear and tripods on 18 mile mountain bike trips to see parts of the state that are very difficult to get to and not many have seen. Also as someone who has been exploring my whole life, I know this state and the rocky mountains more than I think the average Coloradoan might.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
You’d probably laugh at the books and podcasts I listen to. But I’ve been through a lot, and I honestly listen to books and podcasts about growth, healing, and personality types. I feel like my recent passion for photography has come along with my recent passion for personal growth and healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jwattphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwatt_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wattjb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wattnothing