Dave Vuono's Bio

Life is such a progression. Every year brings something new to consider, every season stimulates your senses differently than the last, and I think everything we feel and experience, both the good and ugly, are meant to teach us something about ourselves. But the only way to realize this is to "live your life with intention and attention", as a good friend told me. For the longest time I didn't understand exactly what this meant. But the key to understanding this statement is to learn how to become more aware of yourself and your Ego. I'm realizing that the past 7 years since I first started climbing have been about finding activities that bring me into the moment. Climbing, photography, playing the guitar, yoga, meditation, and most importantly, the value of "real" relationships with people, are the main things that inspire me. I'm learning how to balance myself when I'm not doing these activities; as many of you have probably noticed I haven't updated my website in months! My time is more limited these days as I pursue other goals in life, but I still get out there to shoot.

I started climbing 7 years ago and have never looked back. Early on, a friend gave a slideshow about rock climbing in Kalymnos, Greece. His images, his stories, and his passion for rock climbing have stuck with me ever since. Every year that followed, I would travel some place new to rock climb and bring back a story a to tell. That's how I began taking photographs. In college I took a black and white photography course to learn the basics, and have since invested in the latest gear, but beyond that I scrounged up any info I could to advance my techniques. May it be from a book or magazine, trial and error, or most importantly from any person that crossed my path that had a story to tell and some knowledge to share.

I feel it's very important to remember your roots, whether it be climbing, photography, or simply life, to respect others' work, to not sell out, and to work hard out of passion. As much as I would love to be a professional, full time photographer, I don't see it as my path. This is for much of the same reason why I would not become a professional Guide. I climb and take photos because it's fun. Turning it into "work", I think, can make it loose it's spontaneity, appreciation, and improvisation. I also don't like the "cut throat" attitude that is a result of photographers competing for the same shot. I get satisfaction from sharing my images with others and hope to inspire some people as well.

Taking a look below, I want to try and convey my thoughts of each image and how it inspires me. My friend Erik shot the first image while we were traveling in Tasmania. On that particular day he was sick and was not able to climb. In order to get this amazing shot he had to scramble up of series of ledges, getting totally sketched out from loose rock and dirt, but persevered nonetheless. I hardly have any photos of me! But the fact that he busted his ass to get the angle is what inspires me. On every photo shoot, I'm reminded of that day.

The next photo, although not as dramatic as the last, represents how important friendship and relationships have been to me throughout my climbing and life experiences. It makes me laugh every time I see this photo of Rich, John, and Erik and I (left to right) because I'm reminded of the great time spent at that campground in the Grampians. Especially of the countless nights from bush tail possum assaults on our food bins.

I believe that life is all about adventure. Maybe that is why climbing inanimate objects such as Tasmania's Totem Pole are experiences that we'll never forget. I can still taste the salt in the air and feel the exposure from that route.

Finally, I was a bit reluctant to include this photo, but there is a reason and a story behind every photo right? Well, on that day I was especially inspired. The person who inspired me to do the FNA (first nude ascent) of this route has probably had the most impact on my life. Perhaps FNA's are just another way to have fun and be creative (or maybe they're completely inappropriate)?

I hope you enjoy my website and please, if you have any feedback, know that I'd love to hear your constructive criticism.

Dave Vuono
Burlington, VT
January 2009