words//nick murray
When I was a child, I had always dreamt of being being a professional skateboard photographer. I had looked up to these men of the industry as iconic idols. There was only one problem though: I wasn’t good enough to make it. The lighting always made the figures look like silhouettes, the composition was sophomoric at best, and the print quality caused me great ridicule. So, sadly I had no choice but to cut my losses and abandon the glamorous and ritz-crackery filled life of a photographer. However, when I saw Ryan Gee ollie into the Barcelona bank in Kalis’ DC part, I realized I could try to skate too. I couldn’t make it as a respected photographer, but I decided I still wanted to be part of the industry in one way or another. I had no choice but to settle for the lackluster life of becoming a professional skateboarder. The end.
How long have you been clickin’ them pictures for?
Since 1992 or ’93. It’s been a while.
Bam [Margera] came up with it over 10 years ago. I really have no clue why. He’s the only person that calls me it.
What was your favorite skate video growing up? Why?
Probably PLAN B Questionable. That video was so groundbreaking at the time. I can still watch it over and over again today.
Do skate photographers try to get sponsored by camera companies like skateboarders do?
I never looked into it. It would’ve definitely been a nice hook up over the years.
Nah, I sold that in 2005. I had my fun with it. Currently I have Nissan Titan truck for hauling around my dirt bikes and ATV’s. I might want to get that new X5 M someday soon when the prices drop. They’re amazing! 555 HP… unreal!
I know you’re a big automobile enthusiast—how would you feel about buying my friends ‘94 Camry?
My parents used to have one of those. I took my girlfriend to the prom in that car. [Laughs]
I hear you are in the midst of a new CKY, the first one in over 8 years. Will there still be skateboarding or is it 100% hi-jinx?
We are? That’s new news to me. Any new footage usually gets incorporated in to a new TV project. I think the CKY videos are the past. A lot of legal problems happen during them since we didn’t have producers and lawyers involved. Then again, maybe something new can happen, but it would have to be very organized.
Do you think 50 years from now the whole crew will make a reunion CKY where Bam replaces Rake Yohn’s fake teeth with dog poop?
[Laughs] Nah. Those guys don’t even hang out anymore. After MINGHAGS it seemed like Rake and Dico went off to do their own thing. Rake is married now too.
What do you look for in a good skate photo?
Composition and lighting. That’s the first I see in every skate photo.
Would you say the quality of the photo depends more so on the skater’s talent or the formal aspects of the photo?
Formal aspects of the photo. An amazing trick does spice it up though.
Do you think that there are too many pros today in skateboarding?
I never really gave it much thought. I remember growing up there wasn’t that many. Skateboarding has become so popular over the past 10 years, so it’s bound to be flooded with more pros.
Were you nervous in your feature film debut for Haggard as “Partier at Reservoir”?
No not at all. That was a fun day. Seemed like any other day filming. [Laughs]
Does Bam ever get bummed out when he sees Thrasher’s “King of the Road” and the objective is to get the worst tattoo ever, AKA “the heartogram”?
If he did see the video, he was probably was laughing.
Is there a correlation between art and skateboarding? And if so, do you ever feel pretentious comparing the two?
It seems like it.
Who exerts more sexual prowess: Trent Reznor or Marilyn Manson?
Trent Reznor. At any NIN concerts, you’ll hear girls screaming.
When the zombie apocalypse comes, will you still take photos?
Sure, why not?!
Those were fun times. I haven’t messed with turntables in 10 years. It dwindled down when I moved into a new apartment back in ‘99. The neighbors would bang on the walls non-stop! I ended up moving all my stuff to a friend’s house. Over the years I just forgot about all the records, etc.
So we can finally set the record straight: in your part in Chomp, are you trying pressure flips or inward heels?
They’re supposed to be inward heelflips, but it comes off as a pressure flip. I don’t know how to pop them. It’s all in the scoop of the back foot for me.
We got older… [Laughs]
Are we ever going to see a MTV skate-related spin off with you and Kalis as the new Odd Couple, like Rob and Big?
I don’t think that will happen.
Here are just some general quick-answer questions to finish it off with:
Is there a god? I think it’s all a fairytale.
Smash the state? Umm… what?
Next superbowl winners? I would hope The Eagles since they never won any. Gotta rep them.
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See more of Ryan Gee’s photos at his website.