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Wednesday, June 13, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
SAUNDERS: Sisters grad
is traveling the world
in pursuit of passion
Continued from page 3
approached by recent U of O
graduate Scottie Proctor with
an enticing idea. Will heard
Proctor’s pitch and jumped.
The young men put
together a team to create
story-driven content about the
outdoor world.
“He asked me to be a
photographer. I was more
than excited to do it,” said
Saunders during a recent
phone interview.
The timing couldn’t have
been better. Saunders was
feeling burned out at school.
“It was a spark for me.
We did a project about the
Jackson Hole Air Force. We
put up our own money doing
micro stories. It was very suc-
cessful so we kept doing it. I
graduated that summer and
we landed our first big client,
Backcountry.com. It was a
four-month campaign, using
photo video design and social
media strategy. That’s how
we got started and realized it
was a business opportunity.”
Saunders does commer-
cial work for clients like
Patagonia, North Face and
Black Diamond.
“I hire talent and pick
i n t e r e s t i n g l o c a t i o n s , ”
Saunders said. “That’s what
pays the bills.”
He’s really proud of the
stories he documents. Some
of the locations and people
he’s met left him eager to go
back.
Saunders does freelance
work as well as projects
through their company,
Local’s Project. He and
Proctor are co-owners with
Sam Ewer and Jacob Oster.
Known as a storytelling
agency, Saunders and their
tight-knit group of film-
makers, photographers and
designers seek out athletes
and artists around the U.S.
and capture unique and
inspiring stories.
Recently, he did a photo
shoot in Oman with world-
renowned climber Gaz Leah.
He first met Leah when he
did a job for Backcountry.
com that featured Leah rock-
PHOTO BY WILL SAUNDERS
climbing in New York City.
A Will Saunders shot of the Beehive tombs in Oman, which date to 2000 B.C.
They had a blast.
“You build a connection
Moving to Sisters hooked that there’s math, English,
and from there you hope it’ll assisting adventure photogra-
phy legend Tim Kemple and Saunders on the outdoor and science. Whether it’s a
last forever,” said Saunders.
industry.
trade or something athletic,
The NYC project opened soaking up the experience.
Saunders says his parents
“It opened me up and there’s a whole world of jobs
the door for an invitation to
accompany Leah to Oman provided access and encour- helped me appreciate where out there. I didn’t realize
on an epic, life-altering agement to try new outdoor I live,” Saunders said. “From what marketing or advertising
endeavors. He and his sis- there, I got into river guiding meant. So keep your options
adventure.
“Oman’s absolutely one of ter, Autumn, went on fam- and thought that’s what I’d do open. It’s amazing how many
the coolest places I’ve been. ily trips with their mom and for the rest of my life. Sisters people still do jobs they don’t
The people are some of the dad, Kimberly and Andrew introduced me to the moun- really love. I feel lucky and
nicest I’ve ever met,” said Gorayeb. They explored tain community and living fortunate. It’s more work than
Saunders. “The landscape is Yellowstone, Yosemite and sustainability and creatively. I ever experienced in my life
and I love it. I wouldn’t do
very rugged; big mountains the East Coast where Will It inspired me a lot.”
Looking back, Saunders anything else.”
and canyons and big beautiful spent countless hours sailing.
To see more of Saunders’
pools. It’s one of the gems in They hiked, fly-fished, back- has some advice for students:
packed and sailed in squalls “I encourage people in high images visit the Locals
the Middle East.”
Seeing new, exotic places that revealed Will’s love of school to explore what’s pos- Project website: www.locals
challenging conditions.
sible out there. We’re taught project.com/home.
makes Saunders want more.
“I have a list of places I’d
like to go. Newfoundland is
A SPECIAL TWO-WEEK, FOUR-PAGE SECTION!
high on my list. Somalia is
one of the most beautiful-
looking countries I’ve seen.”
Staying hungry, working
hard and learning from those
who blazed the trail in action-
photography has opened
opportunities Saunders never
dreamed possible. He’s
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A full-color, special section designed especially for the Sisters Outdoor
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• Reach Quilt Show
visitors and local residents.
• Reach 4th of July visitors too!
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