Photo: BlottoPhotto
Gabe on GabeAction sports has no shortage of talents, but it's always inspiring to meet new folks that get it and get it done. I recently had spent some time with snowboarding filmer, photog and world traveling member of Burton's media team - Gabe L'Heureux. Gabe has been in the game for years and has honed a wide array of skills supported by a genuine passion for skateboarding and snowboarding. As for this profile, he sold me on the beach chair, pina collada shot in Grand Caymen, because even better than a Corona commercial it captured a shared experience to perfection. Beyond beach-inspired sunsets, here's what Gabe told BNQT.com about leading a life of Reilly. - James Sullivan

Lensmen: Gabe L'Heureux

Age: 32
Current town: Salt Lake City, Utah
Years shooting: 15
Gear: Canon 5d MarkII, Panasonic HVX-200
Website: www.outoftherain.blogspot.com
Gabe filming Seth Huot in Springville, Utah

You grew up in the Washington DC area - how did that influence you?
The DC area could not have been a better place to grow up, learn about life, get into trouble and skate. I moved there right before 9th grade and instantly met a motivated group of skateboarders. We started filming each other and made a some really solid videos while in high school. Our skate crew was called Berzerkers and later became Two Nine. No one took it too serious and without knowing we were teaching ourselves how to make full length videos, edit etc. We used to edit from VCR to VCR, then we got a Hi8 VCR which made things a bit easier but by today standards, prehistoric. Two Nine is a one of a kind crew. Almost everyone still skates and each year on July 29th we have an all day party and skate session. Last July was the 15th year in a row. Usually 200 people show up and we have one of the heaviest games of SKATE on the east coast.

Stitched city block.

Last year you switched up from filming full time to more of a Team Manager role for Burton Snowboards, particularly as it relates to working with Shaun White. Tell us about that...
Last season I went on a film trip with Shaun while working on the Burton Film, "The B". We got along well and Burton offered me the position a few months later. The job came at a time where I was getting a little burned out on filming year to year video parts and I was ready for a little change. I'm getting to do a bunch of new things now while still being able to work on video projects and shoot photos. I really like it so far.

Jussi Oksanen

What are the key components of success for a videographer or anyone looking to make a go at it in Digital Media?
Making a go at it in digital media, especially in the skate or snow world is a compilation of a bunch of different things. I learned quickly how important networking, meeting the right people and constant interaction was. A large part of succeeding is being confident in what you're doing and working your ass off without complaining, no one likes a complainer. Luckily a couple people took risks on me early on and I was able to get a couple things under my belt before moving to bigger projects.

Jeremy Jones in Salt Lake City

You're not the only one in your family that's comfortable behind the lens-do you compete with your brother Justin?
Justin grew up in the same skate video influenced scene that I did in the 90's. He took more of the photo route. When he was 14 he was already shooting really good photos. After college he moved out West and began shooting snowboarding etc. He recently opened his own studio in San Diego and is focusing more on lifestyle and ad photography. His stuff is getting extremely good and I have a lot to learn from him. Check out his website: www.JustinLHeureux.com

Photo: Andy Wright
In the mix - Marben, L'Heureux, Minhondo, Wright,
Walker

Now that it's June - what's your routine like in the off-season? Do you even have an off-season?
Now is the time of the year the gears switch. Day to day filming and photography are replaced with sitting behind a computer,video editing, and getting the photos from the season to the proper places. I'm really excited about this summer because its the 1st summer is 7 years that I wont be locked into editing one large video project. Instead I will be focusing on editing many smaller video projects. Its gonna be nice to get to work on a bunch of various edits and have a summer a little less stressful than the past 7.

If you like Pina Coladas....

You recently took a trip to the Cayman islands...how does that compare with an exotic snowboarding trip and it begs the question...do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
Ha!, the Caymans trip was more of a vacation than anything. I had heard about "The Black Pearl" skatepark for years. A couple friends of mine happened to be running an event down there with Gatorade and I got the opportunity to fly down and shoot it. Not a bad deal considering Sean Malto and Chaz Ortiz were skating. Malto is one favorites. Great Style, Great Attitude. The park is unreal too. Top 5 best parks Ive ever been too. I could have skated it for weeks. That was the 1st time I have ever headed to the beach while the snow was flying. Luckily it worked out scheduling wise, between snow film trips. I still prefer snow in April but drinking beers on the beach isn't bad either.
Art arty in a Caribbean rainstorm.

Speaking of travels - you've been around the world this year - what was your favorite spot to hang?
By far my favorite trip of the season was getting to go to Vancouver for the Olympics. I have never experienced such a positive atmosphere involving so many people from different countries. It was honestly moving. We attended the Opening Ceremonies and the Mens Snowboard Halfpipe event. The energy in that place for the halfpipe was mind blowing. People were having such a great time.
Other than that I guess I'd live in Barcelona for now. The place just has too many good skate spots to pass up....Innsbruck, Austria is a close second.

Tokyo

In snowboarding who are your biggest inspirations both riders and photography/filming?
I always have a hard time picking favorites. On any given day I like to watch different people...I'd say the guys I love to watch snowboard the most right now are Mikkel Bang, Joe Sexton, Kazu Kokubo, Stefan Maurer and Jeremy Jones. It's hard to pick my favorite photogs as well. My long time favorites and guys that constantly kill it are Blotto, Andy Wright, Jeff Curtes, and Cole Barash......Ive also been noticing a lot of great Matt Georges photos lately. As for cinematography - Pierre Minhondo does it the best in my opinion, the guy doesn't even use a tripod half the time and his filming and editing is always fresh. Better than anyone else in snowboarding. Corey Koniniec and Tim Manning are really damn good as well.

Christian Haller at Absolut Park

Since in many ways you're living a dream life now, what do you hope to be doing 5 or 10 years down the road?
5 or 10 years from now I hope I'm still living an exciting lifestyle. I'd like to be still doing something creative, video or photo related. Possibly working with my brother.

Any thanks or words of wisdom?
I always say thanks to the people that helped me along thus far. Cory Smith, Pierre Minhondo, Justin Eeles, Drew Fuller, Steve Winter, Brad Kremer, Adam Moran, Danielle Hambleton and Justin L'Heureux....Thanks dudes!