Creative Approach to Authentic Mountain Bike Photography
As someone who’s spent most of his life shooting mountain biking—from World Cup events to feature-length documentary films—I’m always excited when I get the call to shoot a bike that matters. The new 2024 Liv Pique 29 Advanced is one of those bikes. When The Radavist asked me to photograph it for their review, I wanted to approach it the same way I approach any editorial project: keep it real, keep it rider-focused, and let the rider and terrain tell the story.
This project gave me the chance to blend some of my favorite parts of mountain bike photography—fast action, technical details, and excellent Lake Tahoe-area terrain.
That combination lets you understand the bike without reading a single line of text.
Finding the Story in Real Terrain
Whenever I shoot a new bike, I try to anchor it in the terrain it was built for. For the Liv Pique, that meant choosing trails with a mix of tight corners, rolling descents, and punchy climbs—places where the suspension, geometry, and rider dynamics are easy to read in-camera.
With every project, a lot of time goes into pre-production planning and location scouting to determine the best shots at the ideal locations and at the best time of day.
I look for moments where:
- The rider’s body position shows total control
- Natural backlight gives the rider shape and depth
- The trail features to bring out the bike’s ideal intended use
That combination lets you understand the bike without reading a single line of text.
Making the Bike the Hero
Mountain bike action photography is all about anticipating motion. I’ll study a section of trail, watch how the rider rolls through it, and then build the shot around the location and terrain to most compelling story.
For this shoot, I prioritized:
- Timeless composition that reveals the location and bike’s intended use
- Technical uphill shots that reveal climbing performance and traction
- Descending sequences that demonstrate stability, suspension performance, and handling characteristics
Detail Photography: Precision Outside the Studio
Even though the location is outdoors, I approach bike and detail photography the same way I would in a controlled studio environment and utilize much of the same studio lighting gear for these product photos. Review readers—and potential buyers—study these images closely, so they have to be clean, intentional, and technically accurate.
For the Liv Pique, I captured:
- Suspension kinematics and linkage design
- Carbon shaping and frame details
- Drivetrain components
- Cable routing and cockpit setup
Using natural light modifiers, strobes and soft boxes, subtle fill, and controlled angles, this blend of studio precision and real-world texture is a big part of my style.
Why Quality MTB Photography Matters
Great mountain bike photography does more than show a new product—it builds credibility. Riders make decisions based on what they feel when they look at a bike, and brands rely on that connection to launch products, shape identity, and communicate engineering without overwhelming riders with tech jargon.
After 20+ years of specializing in mountain bike photography, I understand how to evaluate bikes, locations, and athletes both visually and emotionally. That’s why brands trust me with:
- Launch campaigns
- Editorial features
- Rider stories
- Studio and product photography
- High-end mountain bike video production
- Catalog and ad work
- Backcountry and trail adventure documentation
Every image should feel alive, relatable, and authentically rooted in the sport.
See the Full Radavist Review
You can read the complete review and see how the images were used here:
2024 Liv Pique 29 Advanced Review – The Radavist
Let’s Work Together
If your brand is launching a new bike, needs a full visual campaign, or wants authentic, world-class mountain bike photography or video production, I’d love to talk. Click here to set up a call today to discuss your upcoming project.
Based in Reno, we regularly shoot in the scenic and rugged Lake Tahoe region, but we also travel worldwide for projects as needed.
