Winning the 2025 Mark Gunter Photography Awards: My Journey to First Place in the Amateur Category
The Underworld - Patrik Chomist
If you're reading this, you might already know that the Sea to Sky corridor is a mecca for outdoor adventure, especially mountain biking. The rugged trails, towering forests, and misty Pacific Northwest vibes make it the perfect backdrop for epic rides—and, as it turns out, award-winning photography.
I'm stoked to share a personal milestone winning first place in the Amateur category of the 2025 Mark Gunter Photography Awards with my image titled "The Underworld." This shot captures the insanely talented freeride mountain biker Patrik Chomist blasting through a massive root ball of a fallen old-growth tree on Vancouver's North Shore. It's a moment that encapsulates the raw power and beauty of our sport, and winning with it feels like a dream come true!
For those who aren't familiar, the Mark Gunter Photography Awards is a serious competition in the cycling world. Named after the late Australian cycling photographer Mark Gunter, who passed away from cancer in 2015, the awards were established in 2016 to celebrate the artistry and passion of cycling photography while raising funds for cancer research through Tour de Cure Australia. Mark was known for his ability to capture the essence of cycling and these awards keep his legacy alive. In its 10th edition this year, the competition attracted entries from over 40 countries, with categories for Professionals, Amateurs, and a new Smartphone division. Photographers submit their best shots from the year, and a panel of esteemed judges, including past winners and industry pros, select the top images. The winners were announced just today, January 21, 2026, and seeing my name at the top of the Amateur list was surreal.
Growing up in the Uk, I've always been drawn to the outdoors. Squamish, with its granite cliffs, dense forests, and world-class mountain bike trails has become my playground in adulthood after emigrating here in 2018. The North Shore, just a short drive away in Vancouver, is legendary in the MTB community—think steep drops, rooty sections, and features built from the forest itself. Photography came into the picture about 11 years ago, 4 years ago specifically for biking when I wanted to document the freeride movement and the incredible talent around me. I had a cheap and cheerful DSLR to begin with and it didn’t initially make the cut for the dark forests I was shooting in. With persistence this evolved into a serious hobby, I invested in a mirrorless camera, learned about composition and lighting, and started chasing those magic moments where athlete, environment, and emotion align.
"The Underworld" was born from one of those chases. The idea sparked last fall when I was exploring lesser-known trails on the North Shore. The area is dotted with ancient cedars and firs, some centuries old, and occasionally, storms or age bring them down I guess, creating natural obstacles that become part of the riding lore. I stumbled upon this massive fallen giant—an old-growth tree whose root ball had uprooted, forming a cavernous archway about 10 feet high and wide. The roots twisted like tentacles, covered in moss and dirt. It looked otherworldly, like a portal to some underground realm. I immediately envisioned a rider emerging from it, dust and debris flying, backlit by off camera flash for that dramatic effect. The name "The Underworld" came to me right there—it perfectly captured the dark, mystical vibe contrasting with the explosive action.
To bring the vision to life, I needed the right rider. Enter Patrik Chomist, a local freeride/ Enduro talent known for his agressive and controlled style. Patrik and I had connected through the Squamish MTB scene, shooting and riding together many times beforehand. As we had done many times, just went for a ride in the fog/rain armed with a camera! I had the idea to shoot this but had no idea it would end up in the right conditions with the correct equipment, being one of my best received shots to date.
The shoot day was in late August of 2025, when the forest was at its most atmospheric—cool mornings, plenty of rain and dark/moody vibes. We hiked in early, My Sony A7IV camera a selection of lenses, off camera flashes and a remote trigger. The first few runs were test hits; he navigated the entry, pedaled hard and powered through the arch. Each time, dirt sprayed, and the bike's tires kicked up a mist of forest floor particles. I positioned myself low and to the side, shooting at a lower shutter speed and flash freezing to make the image crisp and keep the ISO low. The backlight from the rear flash blasted through the tree created a halo effect, making Patrik look like he was bursting from another dimension.
It took about a five attempts to nail it. changing angles, changing lenses, changing flash powers both rear and front and in the process getting ourselves and the gear absolutely drenched. On the winning run, everything aligned: Patrik's form was perfect, arms extended, body centered over the bike, with a focused intensity in his posture, separated from the root ball. As he exited, a cascade of soil and water exploded around him, caught in the light like sparkling dust. I fired a burst of shots, and when I reviewed them on the camera, I knew we had gold. The image screamed adventure, danger, and the untamed spirit of freeride mountain biking.
Post-production was minimal—I believe in letting the scene speak for itself. In Lightroom, I adjusted exposure to enhance the contrast between the dark shadows of the roots and the bright exit point. A touch of clarity brought out the textures: the gnarled wood, Patrik's tire tracks, the subtle greens and browns of the forest. No heavy edits; just colour, exposure and crop.
The awards emphasize not just technical skill but storytelling—the emotion of cycling, the human element. For the Amateur category, open to non-professionals, I submitted "The Underworld" along with a short story about the shoot. I kept busy with more rides and shoots in Squamish, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if my photo would resonate with the judges.
Then, it happened! I was checking emails over lunch when the announcement dropped on the official site and cycling media outlets like Escape Collective. Scrolling through the winners, there it was: First Place, Amateur Category. For the past couple of years have been pursuing full time photography in the biking industry, currently being unable to fully progress to supporting myself with the sport and craft I am passionate about, sometimes a result of this feeling like I was doing something wrong…
Winning this means more than the prize. It's validation that my passion for capturing mountain biking's essence is connecting with others, It's cool to see freeride MTBing and a friend I know has worked so hard to get to the riding level he’s at get the spotlight. The North Shore's unique terrain, with its wooden Skinnies, rock rolls, and natural features like this root ball, deserves recognition. This win inspires me to push further, collaborate with more riders, and explore new locations in BC and Internationally.
Looking back, "The Underworld" isn't just a photo; it's a testament to the community that makes mountain biking special. Patrik's skill, the forest's untamed beauty, it all came together in one frame. If you're a rider or photographer, I encourage you to enter next year's awards. Who knows…
Thanks for reading, and if you're in Squamish, hit me up for a ride. Let's chase some more epic moments.
A big Thankyou to all who have supported me and allowed me to continue my pursuit of action sports photography