Have you ever looked at a photograph and wondered how on earth the photographer managed to capture such an incredible moment? For Jasper da Seymour, a Launceston photographer who recently earned the title of Australian Mountain Bike Photographer of the Year, there's quite a remarkable story behind his award-winning shot.

Da Seymour's journey into mountain bike photography began unconventionally. When he first ventured into the world of mountain biking, he was actually on a bike rather than behind a camera lens. However, his heart was always more drawn to the beauty and creativity of the sport rather than the rough and tumble action itself. This passion eventually transformed from a personal project into a full-time career.

One of da Seymour's early assignments proved to be pivotal in his career trajectory. He worked with a young rider in the small, isolated coastal town of Eggs and Bacon Bay – a 12-year-old kid who had already captured attention as a self-taught prodigy of Tasmanian mountain biking. That young rider's name was Sascha Kim.

In the nearly decade since that first meeting, Kim has more than lived up to his early promise. He has ridden all over the world in UCI enduro series as a professional mountain biker, content creator, and Global Ambassador for Giant bicycles. Kim, who is the featured rider in da Seymour's award-winning photograph, recently reunited with the photographer for a special photo shoot that would produce the stunning image.

The creation of the award-winning photograph was no simple task. Using jumps constructed in Kim's backyard, da Seymour employed numerous technical elements to achieve his vision. The setup included extensive lighting equipment, a kid's trailer, batteries, fog machines, and what he describes as "weird apparatuses" – all carefully orchestrated to create the perfect shot.

"Then it was just a matter of setting that up before it got too dark so I could see what I was doing, and then essentially the shot in my head was him doing a tire grab over the middle of that jump," da Seymour explained. The complexity of the shoot was extraordinary – Kim was essentially riding in complete darkness with lights facing him through artificial fog, approaching the jump blind and executing an impressive athletic maneuver mid-air.

Da Seymour reflected on the chaotic nature of the shoot with humor: "I didn't realize what a psycho I'd look like in the dark, sweating, running and turning lights on and off. I looked crazy, but sometimes it takes a bit of crazy in order to get something special."

The photograph's impact was immediate and significant. It was selected as the cover image for Australian Mountain Bike Magazine after da Seymour was named Australian Mountain Bike Photographer of the Year. The 36-year-old photographer admitted he entered the competition the same way someone else might buy a lottery ticket, hoping for the best. His winning entry was one of four photographs he submitted, including another featuring fellow Launceston product Sam Fox. His unanimous selection as Australia and New Zealand's best mountain biking photographer adds to his increasingly impressive list of professional accolades.

Despite the recognition, da Seymour emphasizes that awards don't drive his passion – it's the people and the sport itself that motivate him. Tasmania has experienced a mountain biking revolution over the past decade, with new world-class trails in locations like Derby and Maydena attracting elite riders from around the globe. Major events such as Red Bull Hardline and rounds of world championships have become annual fixtures in the Tasmanian wilderness, significantly impacting the caliber of local talent emerging from the state.

Prominent names like Kim, Fox, and Dan Booker are leading this new generation, while teenage talents like Lacey Adams continue to enhance the state's growing reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. "It's great to see their evolution in the sport while lifting it at the same time," da Seymour said. "To be able to be that fly on the wall that gets to spend time showcasing them, as well as our state, it just gives me immense satisfaction and pride, because in Tasmania we're always just punching above our weight, and I think this is a perfect instance of that."

Da Seymour's enthusiasm for his subjects is evident in his approach to his work. "I find myself being an excited fanboy when seeing how well everyone's doing, and I feel insignificant in my role of what I do, but it's great to see that AMB is giving me acknowledgment, which therefore also highlights Tasmania," he reflected.

Looking toward the future, da Seymour's goals remain refreshingly simple and passionate. "I want to keep doing this as long as humanly possible, until my eyesight diminishes completely," he stated. "It's nice to be able to have that creative license and find a place where I can slide into my weird and tap into it and it become a strength as opposed to an oddity."

For those interested in learning from da Seymour's expertise, he is co-hosting a photography workshop scheduled for September 27-28 in Derby. Spots are still available, and interested participants can find more information through his social media channels.