Trail Completion Update

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is a volunteer-based organization with many opportunities for individuals, families and groups to participate. Each year, we organize volunteer trail maintenance projects with various time committments, skill sets and locations. No experience is necessary to join us on these projects – all you need is a willingness to work hard and get dirty! Learn more at https://continentaldividetrail.org/volunteer.

Faces from the Divide

Tommy “Twerk” Corey may best be known for his Hiker Trash Vogue project — but the portraitist and hiker is just getting started.

Q: What is Hiker Trash Vogue and how did the project come about?

Hiker Trash Vogue is an editorial-style photo book featuring portraits of long distance hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. I got the idea when I was in Wrightwood (mile 369 of the PCT) taking a zero day, and as a joke I made my friends model with their favorite piece of gear. I had the hikers pose like fashion models as a way of being facetious, since we were all smelly and gross and wearing the same clothes all day, everyday.

Q: Landscapes are a frequent choice for photographers on the trail, but you’ve chosen to go more for a human-focused lens on your art. Why is portraiture your medium of choice?

When I started taking photos at 12 years old I was inspired by my friend’s older brother who had taken really beautiful portraits of his fellow classmates for his senior project. It wasn’t so much the quality of his photos (even though they were amazing) but rather a moment I witnessed one day in class that really inspired me to become a portrait photographer.

One day he brought in proofs to show to a girl he had taken senior pictures for. I remember this girl as being really quiet and shy, and kids were often mean to her. As an adult, looking back, I now think she probably didn’t have the best home life. As she flipped through the pages, looking at the beautiful portraits he had taken of her (this was 2001, so they were all done on film), the girl started to cry. She just kept saying thank you, over and over, with her head on his shoulder.

There were a lot of other kids around who took notice as she flipped through the pages, but I don’t think they really understood what

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY TOMMY COREY (PICTURED ABOVE)

was happening. I was only 13 years old at the time, but I understood what was happening. In that moment I knew I wanted my work to have the same effect on my subjects the way those photos did on that girl that day. I didn’t want to just take pictures–I wanted to create portraits that made people feel beautiful and had a purpose.

Q: In 2022 you hiked a section of the CDT northbound from the Southern Terminus in New Mexico to Pagosa Springs, CO. Did you have any particular favorite spots or landscapes along the way?

The southern San Juans were insanely gorgeous, and also terrifying. I would have to say the climb up to Mt. Taylor, near the gateway community of Grants, was my favorite.

Q: What is the scope and inspiration of your latest project, called “All Humans Outside”?

All Humans Outside (AHO) is a photo documentation of 100 different people from all different sectors of outdoor sports, recreation and professions. The goal is to show how diverse the outdoor space is through people and the various ways they are connecting to nature, finding belonging, creating community and protecting outdoor areas. For me, I wanted to show that my work is multi-dimensional and also find a way to celebrate people and make them feel validated in the ways they connect to the outdoors. I think in the extreme sports world we cheer on those who do the craziest and fastest things outside. With AHO I wanted to give people a platform to tell their story and show how they love Mother Nature in very unique ways. I think through sharing these stories we can build empathy amongst each other and create a more tight-knit outdoor community.

Q: Was there something in particular about the CDT that inspired you as an artist? As you were working within the space of the Divide, did you find a particular challenge or landscape that added something new to your experience as a photographer?

To be honest, my jaunt on the CDT was all about hiking. I didn’t feel particularly inspired as an artist this time around. I had already thru-hiked once and done Hiker Trash Vogue. I knew deep down I should be doing something else, and that’s why I eventually ended my hike. The scenery was gorgeous and the people were amazing, but it really felt like an extension of any previous long distance hike. I knew I needed to get off the trail and pursue something else.

Tommy Corey is an outdoor portrait photographer from Redding, California. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon, working as a freelance photographer for various outdoor companies. To view more of Tommy’s work, visit www.tommycorey.com or follow @allhumansoutside on Instagram.