Filmmaker. Photographer. Traveler. Based in Seattle, Washington, Kyle has dedicated his life and art to the outdoors. When not summiting mountains or taking photos of wildlife, he is actively looking for new stories to tell through his lens.
He also supports the artist coalition Vivid Matter Collective and hopes to work with fellow Coleman® Collective Member Max Djenohan to create a nonprofit geared towards inclusivity in the outdoors.
A: I define my community as the people surrounding me that care about one another and share the same feeling of belonging. We support each other, and challenge each other, and do our best to keep our small bubble a positive space.
Q: Why outside? Why do you go?
A: The outdoors has been my saving grace—especially during the pandemic. There’s so much in life that’s out of our control, but there’s a beautiful simplicity to putting one foot in front of the other on the trail, and a grandness to the mountains and forests around my home state of Washington. It makes me feel peace and inspiration like no other.
Q: How have you encouraged people in your community to get outside?
A: It’s about connecting with people on social media and being real about how the outdoors isn’t always pretty sunsets and glorious mountaintops. Sometimes you get caught in the rain, or that Instagram view at the top was crowded with people. But at the end of the day, it’s a place that we can all share in our love for nature, learn a little bit about ourselves, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Q: What do you think are some easy ways for people to enjoy the outdoors that don't require a lot of resources while also being more accessible?
A: Here in Seattle, we’re blessed to have great access to the outdoors right here in the city with the Puget Sound, Discovery Park (among other parks), and the Cascade mountains right outside town.
Q: What do you see as the roadblocks for inclusion outdoors?
A: Accessibility to affordable gear and knowledge. Underrepresentation in outdoor brand marketing materials. Stereotypes about who “belongs” outdoors.
Q: How can we, as a community, break those barriers down?
A: Champion outdoor education and support local organizations that provide opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities to get outside. Realize that environmental issues and social justice issues are directly correlated. Support grassroots agriculture. Donate gear to outdoor organizations that are in need. Pay rent to Indigenous tribes. Volunteer at trail-building events.
Q: What are your goals for these causes in 2021 and beyond and how can Coleman help you achieve these goals?
A: To continue to grow in my allyship for social justice causes and to support my friends and acquaintances through tangible creative campaigns. As the pandemic allows, I want to continue to connect and network with local outdoor-focused organizations and nonprofits in the PNW and help tell their stories. I want to share positive messages while also supporting these organizations in a tangible way with Coleman.
Q: Why the Coleman® Collective?
A: Coleman is a brand that encompasses accessibility so anyone can spend a night in the outdoors and fall in love with nature. I believe that this is the best way to show people that our planet is worth protecting.
