BIG SKY — Hooey Wilks just might be only person on the ski hill with her pockets full of antique toys. When she’s not flying down a mountain somewhere in the Northwest, you can find her flat on her stomach, skis still on foot and with a camera pointed at the tiny, ski-clad human figurines as they partake in an adventure of their own, most recently on our home mountain in Big Sky.
They’re small, standing just under two inches, and date back to the 1930s and 40s. The collection, which has grown to nearly 100, were gifts to her husband purchased from local antique shops. The inspiration of photographing them began on a whim when, having just shoveled her driveway back in her home in Conn., she took the toys outside with her and propped them along a rock wall. Realizing the little skiers were worthy of a more spectacular landscape, she took them along on her next ski trip out West.
Hooey Wilks and her husband Jeff travel the Northwest chasing the best ski hills and building her Skier Series portfolio. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOEY WILKS
“Last year I took a couple of them with me to Utah in my
pocket when I skied, and there was something about that bluebird sky with the
mountains in the back,” said Wilks. “So I started packing them up in my
suitcase and bringing them out West.”
Wilks is living the life many of us dream of—after retiring
from her corporate job and finding herself an empty nester, she and her
husband, armed with a passion for skiing and years of collected frequent flyer
miles, began prioritizing ski-centric travel, hitting destinations such as
Alta, Jackson Hole and, of course, Big Sky. Her newfound photography project is
a marriage of her creativity, whimsy, passion for the slopes and
entrepreneurial skills.
While the journey began decades ago, when she purchased
a camera in high school with her first paycheck and began taking photography
courses in college, the photog only truly launched her commercial Hooey
Mountain series last August. Good call, too: for Wilks, finding more excuses to
ski and spend time in the mountains was a dream come true.
“It’s challenging because you’re doing this on the mountain
and in order to get the shot, you’re laying down on your stomach, often with
your skis on,” she said. “It’s complicated and it’s freezing and it’s windy.
It’s not as easy as being in a studio taking pictures of models where it’s
warm, but it is more fun.”
All of Wilks’ photographs are taken on location with real snow, never photoshopped, marrying the joy of skiing and nostalgia while also showcasing the beauty of a day in the mountains.
Wilks’ photography subjects are small, standing just under two inches. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOEY WILKS
Although the figurines are
often backdropped by a well-known scape, Wilks is purposeful in maintaining its
anonymity in hopes that viewers focus less on their tie to the location, and
more on the theme of adventure.
Wilks hopes to expand her project to other sports—possibly
mountain climbers and bikers—still with an alpine bent.
Meanwhile, Wilks will continue to seek out new mountains to
ski with her collection of mini skiers in hand as they adventure together along
Hooey Mountain.
Want—need—to see more of her work? Browse Hooey Mountain Photography on her Instagram @hooeymountain, hooeymountain.com, or locally at Melanie Turner Home and Erika & Company Interior Design in Big Sky Town Center.
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
June 24 (Monday) 9:00 am - August 26 (Monday) 12:00 pm