{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Creativity and Climbing: Nikki Smith","description":"With a geologist father, Nikki Smith\u2019s love for rock and the outdoors came naturally. Born in Portland, Oregon, Smith moved with her family to Utah at a young age. She spent her youth wandering the state\u2019s vast outdoor spaces, hunting for minerals and fossils. Smith was 16 when she had her first climbing experience at a crag in Ogden. She recalls: \u201cI don't know how we're still alive, but just as soon as I touched that rock, everything went silent and it was just this amazing experience.\u201d Smith started taking photos\u2014and winning awards for them\u2014at a young age. But it took a climbing injury to set her on the path to being a professional. Her style is distinct; her portraiture brims with intimacy and emotion that Smith says is sourced from a deep sense of connection with her subjects. In addition to her work as a photographer, Smith is a professional climber, guide and writer. Nikki is also an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, and speaks to the challenges and opportunities facing brands\u2014and climbing media like Alpinist\u2014as they strive to be more inclusive.  This episode is brought to you by Rab Equipment Alpinist Magazine: Website | Instagram | Facebook Host: Abbey Collins Guest: Nikki Smith  Producer + Engineer: Mike Horn ","author_name":"Alpinist","author_url":"http:\/\/alpinist.com\/podcast","html":"