Finding Dreamland

Whitney Gardner

Finding DREAMLAND

A VISUAL EDITORIAL FEATURING THE PHOTOGR APHIC WORK OF JOHN HOWLAND // Written by Tiffany Blake Fox

"Picking up a camera really was the first start for me overcomingthe fear of my crash. For as long as I can remember, I have beenobsessed with skiing – photography gave that back to me."

Scotty VerMerris for Icelantic Skis, Zeal Optics, Flylow Gear, Panda Poles

THE WILD WEST and its rugged trails have forever been immortalized, in history, in image, in film and in folklore. Renegades looking to tame the land, seeking adventure and creating one’s own lifestyle have inspired even today’s descendants, who arrive seasonally looking to carve a piece out of the greatest snow on earth. For those few who are brave enough to focus – not on life’s distractions – but on the passion of their soul, keep the future and the story of life in the mountains alive, inspiring the next generation to dream of Utah’s winters.

Photographing both big mountain legends and backcountry enthusiasts as a career wasn’t even a thought for Utah-based photographer John Howland just five years ago. Skiing, dare we say – his ultimate passion, had led him to athlete life, traveling, competing, when one crash left him in a New Zealand hospital with what seemed to be career-ending injuries.

Ben Michaels

Jake Doan for ON3P Skis, Flylow Gear

At first, photography was the mechanism to get Howland back confident on skis, a distraction, perhaps. He spent his days photographing his peers, friends who had that same insatiable joy for skiing, all the while learning lighting, composition, shutter speed and focal length. Not having access to the larger ski brands and corporations that would afford him a “non-dirt bag” ski lifestyle, John decided to set his sights, pack his bags and head to Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Salt Lake City was the #1 option. Lifestyle, convenience, affordable housing were all factors and made the area stand out from the others.”

Dane Weister for Ski Utah and Solitude Mountain Resort

Lexi Dowdall for Ski Utah

Ben Michaels

IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG for John’s unique and almost playful photography style to get noticed. Solitude Mountain Resort and Alta Ski Area were the first to support Howland’s creative work, snowballing into partnerships and work with Snocru, Ski Utah and Powder Magazine. John seems almost in disbelief in the progression of his career, describing being recognized and published “bizarre, but very stoked”. It all comes down to skiing for Howland and giving that up isn’t an option. In a sense, photography saved his life and has given him the chance to live his dream, his obsession, his passion – a lesson for each of us.

Lexi Dowdall for Ski Utah

Ben White for Super Fly Paragliding

“If people want to keep printingmy photos, I’ll keep taking them.”

– John Howland