In this episode of Vallerret's Creative Outsiders, host Lukas Riedl and co-host Carl van den Boom welcome Joana Braga, a drone pilot and designer from Portugal, now based in Iceland.Joana shares her journey into drone flying, the challenges of working in extreme weather, and her passion for capturing high-risk, high-reward visuals in extreme sports. The conversation explores mindset, preparation, representation for women in the drone industry, and Joana’s ambitions for future projects — including filming the Dakar Rally.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Women Can Fly
00:50 Welcome to Creative Outsiders
01:10 Meet Joana Braga
01:49 Portugal to Iceland
02:13 Flying in Extreme Conditions
05:33 Fear, Nerves & Control
11:01 Getting Started With Drones
13:40 FPV, Speed & Tech Differences
17:32 Preparation & Decision Making
20:11 Motorsport & Extreme Action
23:14 Crashes, Repairs & Experience
30:02 Does Fear Ever Go Away?
34:11 Storytelling First
39:31 Design & Aviation Mindset
42:31 Women in a Male-Dominated Industry
49:39 Dream Projects & Dakar
54:21 Quickfire & What’s Next
Follow Joana Braga
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfabraga/
Website: https://www.jfabraga.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joanabraga6552
LinkedIn: https://pt.linkedin.com/in/joanabragadesign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfabraga/
Vallerret | Gloves & Apparel for Creators Behind the Lens
Website: https://www.photographygloves.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerret
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerret
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerret
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerret
Newsletter: https://www.photographygloves.comCelebrating bold flying, real risk, and creative work beyond comfort zones. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a creator who chases the shot in tough conditions.
Stay sharp. Stay curious. Stay out longer. 🧤🚁
In this episode of Vallerrent's Creative Outsiders, host Lukas Riedl and co-host Carl van den Boom welcome Finnish legendary snowboarding photographer and longtime Vallerret friend Pasi Salminen. They discuss Pasi's extensive career in snowboarding photography, the challenges of capturing action shots in extreme conditions, and the transition from passion projects to commercial work. Pasi shares insights on maintaining creativity and positivity in a long career, the importance of collaboration with athletes, and how he manages the pressures of shooting high-stakes tricks. The conversation also touches on the unique aspects of urban photography versus powder shots, and Pasi's future aspirations in the field.
Watch the full video version on YouTube for extra visuals.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:30 Memorable Snowboarding Experiences
04:59 Urban vs. Powder Photography
07:14 The Art of Snowboard Photography
09:52 Managing Pressure in Photography
12:24 Transitioning to Commercial Work
14:55 Maintaining Passion in Photography
21:00 The Journey of a Photographer
22:54 Passion Projects and Creative Freedom
24:12 Collaboration in Snowboarding Photography
28:52 Dealing with Extreme Cold
32:06 Creative Drive and Future Aspirations
33:10 Quickfire Questions and Insights
Follow Pasi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pasisalminen/
Website: https://www.pasisalminen.com/
Eventphoto.fi: https://pasisalminen.fi/ep/
Red Bull Illume Profile: https://www.redbullillume.com/int-en/photographers/pasi-salminen
Vallerret | Glove & Apparel for Creators behind the Lens
Website: https://www.photographygloves.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerret
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerret
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerret
X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/vallerret
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerret
Newsletter: https://www.photographygloves.com (sign up at the bottom!)
Celebrating 10 Years of Winter Gear built for photographers & creators who stay out longer.
If this conversation made you feel nostalgic, send it to a fellow snow bum — and go chase some wild weather, with cameras and planks.
Stay warm. Stay inspired. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥
In this episode of Vallerret’s Creative Outsiders, we talk with Canadian fine art photographer and self-portrait artist Sarah Lyndsay, known for her emotional imagery, storytelling, and her signature yellow dress.
Sarah shares how photography became a form of self-expression and a way to explore emotion, presence, and identity. She explains how placing herself in the frame is telling a story.
We talk about the thrill of shooting in –30°C, how sometimes you forget the cold because the moment feels magical, and why bad weather often leads to the most powerful images. She opens up about identity, pressure, and taking a break from social media, and learning to see herself not just as a photographer but as an artist.
• Why bad weather makes stronger, more emotional images
• Emotion, scale & storytelling through self-portrait work
• Shooting in –30°C and forgetting the cold
• The yellow dress and how visual identity develops
• Layering, boots, gloves & staying creative in freezing temps
• Artist vs. photographer — and why the difference matters
• Social media breaks & creative burnout
• Fine art galleries, collectors & making work that "feels"
Follow Sarah
Website: https://www.sarahlyndsayphotography.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahlyndsay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlyndsayphotography
Facebook: https://facebook.com/sarahlyndsayphotography
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sarahlyndsay_
Follow Vallerret
Website: https://www.photographygloves.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerret
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerret
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerret
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerret
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vallerret
Stay warm. Stay inspired. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥
To start things off with a bang, we’re heading north to Lofoten with travel photographer and Aurora expert Dave Williams. From a cozy fisherman’s cabin, he chats with us about how he became obsessed with winter photography… and how he once got chased by wolves at 4:30 in the morning. Yes, really. Dave is full of practical tips and hilarious “this only happens to photographers” moments.
In this episode, we dive into:
• Dave’s first-ever Northern Lights moment (and why it changed everything)
• How he actually predicts the Aurora without relying on dodgy apps
• What life in Lofoten is really like (weather chaos, fish racks & all)
• The layering system he uses to stay outside for hours (liners + photography gloves)
• How to keep your camera battery alive in deep cold
• Why “bad weather” usually turns into the best photography conditions
• The wolf story… because yes, that really happened
• Imposter syndrome and the pressure to “get the shot”
• The joy of helping people see the Aurora for the first time
• Cinnamon buns (because every photographer deserves a treat)
If you enjoy winter photography, dream of seeing the Aurora, or just love hearing creators talk about the weird, wild parts of their job, you’ll love this episode. It’s fun, relaxed, and full of super useful cold-weather tips.
Follow Dave Williams
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idavewilliams
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@idavewilliams
Lofoten Insight Tours: https://lofotensight.com
Book: The Complete Aurora Guide (search online)
Website: https://www.photographygloves.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerret
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerret
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerret
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vallerret
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerret
Newsletter: https://www.photographygloves.com (sign up at the bottom!)
Celebrating 10 Years of Radical Winter Gear built for photographers & creators who stay out longer.
Thanks for joining us for our very first episode of Vallerret’s Creative Outsiders.
If you enjoyed this conversation, send it to a fellow cold-loving creator — and go chase some wild weather.
Stay warm. Stay inspired. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥
This is Vallerret’s Creative Outsiders — Radical stories from behind the lens.
A podcast about the moments that change us, the places that shape us, and the creators who go where most people won’t.
Join hosts Lukas Riedl and Vallerret Co-Founder Carl van den Boom as they talk with photographers, filmmakers, drone pilots, and explorers about what really happens out there — beyond the cold, beyond the frame, beyond comfort.
Grab a hot drink. Settle in. And welcome to the outsiders.