Daily Inspiration: Meet Kane Scheidegger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kane Scheidegger.

Hi Kane, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Southwest Colorado in the small town of Ridgway which sits at the base of the north side of the majestic San Juan Mountains. I grew up on a ranch on the river in an outdoor family which spent a lot of time exploring the surrounding areas. Hiking, fishing, camping in the summer and skiing in the winter. I have 3 siblings and any chance we had to be outside we were. I graduated high school from Ridgway where the school was still kindergarten through 12th grade in one building – yes you know everyone! I then attended college in South Florida to escape the cold winters but found out just how much I missed the mountain environments. I then came back to the area to start my own business doing advertising for local businesses. I found that when I returned to the area I rekindled my love for the outdoors and began hiking, camping, overloading, and skiing, etc. Through these adventures I carried a camera and documented my adventures – taking images of things that I found interesting and loved the idea of freezing a magical moment in time to be reproduced in print. I fell in love with the art of landscape photography. The mechanism that is created for myself to be present in nature and forcing myself to slowdown in order to take in these moments. During this time I also started working with ski and snowboard athletes to document extreme ski descents during the winter and spring. I dedicated my time to expanding this portfolio of fine art landscapes in the summer and fall and creating visually captivating images of ski descents in the winter and spring. Nature has always felt larger than life to me. It was during this blossoming period that I really expanded my focus to master the panoramic photo technique. This enables my prints to be produced large, some pieces printed up to 50ft with life like detail, a truly immersive experience where viewer has the chance to walk into the scene whether it be a mountain top or the glow of the forest.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am now has not been smooth. I think the creative path is full of obstacles, whether it is creative blocks, not making ends meet early in my career, not having the support of people close to myself.
Early in my process I did a lot of local advertising and graphic design. My biggest challenge at this point was the struggle to be creative for someone else’s vision. As I began to expand my photography vision I soon found that I was drawn to the idea that photography enabled me to be creative for myself. I created images that I found interesting. When I began to sell my work I really liked that it was very cut and dry as if you liked my work you bought it and if you didnt that was also fine. There was not a convincing of sorts of why you should advertise in a certain way.
In 2012 I began the transition into producing my own photography work full time. Investing every dollar into camera gear, printers, framing tools, etc. This was also a struggle as it didnt leave a lot left over but I absolutely loved created my own work with my own two hands, I still produce all of my work to this day in house.
I think it is also very important to surround yourself with people that support your vision, people that let you be you and not try and change you or control you. It took years to understand this process but I now surround myself with people that are positive and encouraging – finding your tribe is a life long process.
Another struggle is finding the balance of the work/play. When you are an entrepreneur in a business that relies on your creativity for income it can be very easy to just work all the time. I found myself realizing that my whole life was work, which I love as I love what I do but finding the balance is necessary to recharge and not get burned out.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a fine art landscape and ski photographer that specializes in large format panoramic images. I also am a mixed media artist that paints oil on top of my photography work. I produce all my own work from taking the images, post production, printing, framing, stretching, etc. I am known for my large format works where my images are very immersive, creating a real life experience for the viewer. I also specialize in bring this aspect to my ski photography where I document extreme ski descents that are then produced in large format print. I produce half my work in color and half my work in black and white. I am renowned for my unique perspectives and showing the viewer something they have never seen before. I am most proud of my uniqueness. I stand apart from others in my attention to detail, captivating compositions and my overall craftsmanship.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future is to do more of my mixed media projects. Expanding my creativity is very important on a personal level. I am also looking to work more in the ski industry as creating images in the mountains with athletes I find very fulfilling and exciting. I am always working to expand where my work is shown so working with more galleries and exhibition venues is important. I hope to expand my production space to enable more flexibility and creative freedom. I have big ideas but too little of a space!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kanefineart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanefineart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneFineArt