Julien Gontard

What is your profession?

I made my debut in photography at 15 years old at sports events and competitions of all kinds so I could familiarize myself with these environments from a young age. I launched my freelance business at 19 years old so I could live from my passion and to share it on social networks. I am proud of the success I built, and I still have the same energy that drives me to develop my media production and digital strategy company. I am also a co-organizer of the Open Canoe Festival, the largest gathering of hiking canoes in Europe.

What does Vuarnet represent for you?

Vuarnet represents a heritage, a history closely linked to the world of mountains and skiing. It is the French know-how at the service of a committed, technical yet refined sport! For me, it is also the guarantee of always being well protected, in everyday life or during my outings in the mountains and on skis.

What is your best memory in the mountains?

This is a difficult question, there are so many! But I think it would be a shoot I did for a client in the Monte Rosa massif in Italy. We climbed the Castor, a 4226m summit, with a group of young people from underprivileged areas. It was a wonderful project that gave me the opportunity to share my passion, and provide a physical and technical challenge for this group! The weather at the summit was not very good, but the smiles on everyone's faces at the finish are great memories!

What words do you live by?

The things you don't do are the things you don't learn