Rock climber and native Oregonian Caleb Jacobson seeks, through his photography, to inspire audiences to feel the same sense of awe and wonder that he does when exploring both remote and well-loved places, some of which are also endangered places.

Jacobson won the Fujifilm Students of Storytelling competition for his work exploring how, after the historic eruption in 1980 of volcano Mount St. Helens and then its remarkable recovery, the site is now at risk from mining and road development. Jacobson’s stirring images explore “why it needs to be protected.”

Fujifilm created the contest to identify the next generation of U.S. storytellers, and to provide them with Fujifilm X Series or GFX System gear to bring their vision to life.

Rf: What interests you as a storyteller? Which stories are you drawn to?

Caleb Jacobson : I am drawn to the interactions of humans with nature and the stories this relationship can tell; like a lone climber lost in a sea of rock, jumping into a cold alpine lake after a long day’s trek. As an avid climber and outdoor enthusiast, I have a deep, rooted passion for the outdoors.

Rf: What stories do you want to share through your work?

CJ: For me, photography is about a call to action, even if subtle. I continue to see firsthand how much of an impact wild places can have on people and I want to communicate that importance. It’s a unique exchange that can easily disappear if we don’t take time to notice it and act on it.

Rf: Describe the evolution of your style and approach. How has it changed over time?

CJ: When I first picked up a camera three or so years ago, all I wanted to shoot were landscapes. I was captivated by their grandeur and scale. Over time I realized that by including human elements into my images, I could add context, purpose and tell a greater story. I remain impressed with photographer Chris Burkard’s ability to add a timeless, human subject.

Rf: What are the key things you have learned or done that have helped you advance your career since you began shooting?

CJ: I work at it nonstop. I essentially view it as my full-time job, from the research to the adventures themselves to the photo processing—it’s all-consuming for me​

Rf: What is the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received and followed?

CJ: In my friend and fellow creative George Mihaly’s podcast, “How To Sustain A Career as a Professional Photographer” with photographer Rich Crowder, they discuss the importance of originality and adaptability. Rich advises, “If you look at what’s being published right now, don’t try to copy that…just keep doing what you’re​doing.”

Rf: How has photographic education affected your career and development as a photographer?

CJ: Up until now I have been primarily self-taught. The internet is a powerful resource and I have also been able to ‘learn by doing’ for the past few years. Now, with the support of Fujifilm through Students of Storytelling, I have gained so much from the mentors and professionals that have been guiding us along the way.

Rf: Does your relationship to the environment affect how you photograph?

CJ: My relationship with the environment is what drives my photography. I respect its resilience, its ruggedness and its layers of beauty. When I am shooting stars at 2 a.m. from a cave or clutching my camera while rappelling on the side of a cliff, I am reminded of how fragile humans are and how dependent we are on our surroundings.

I’m sure there are many obstacles you need to navigate past while photographing outdoors. Please share some of your experiences. My style of photography definitely requires more than a creative eye for imagery. When I am on a shoot, I have to be just as immersed in the adventure as I am with image making. One time, at 7:30 p.m., my climbing partner and I were stranded on a granite face thousands of feet up with more terrain before the summit. In the fleeting daylight, we made a mad dash, successfully summiting before our long descent in the dark. What began as an average day quickly turned into a 27-hour epic one as we inched our way down steep snow and ice. These alpine excursions can lead to some intense situations but it makes the images that much more special.

Rf: Tell us more about your submission to Fujifilm’s Students of Storytelling program?

CJ: When I first learned about Students of Storytelling, I knew it would be a perfect platform on which to showcase an endangered place I was passionate about, Mount St. Helens. Recent threats from proposed mining and road development could permanently alter this gem. This mountain is such a historically and ecologically important place. I was disheartened that not many people were aware that it was in danger.

Rf: What works have you produced with your new Fujifilm systems?

CJ: I have been making repeat trips to Mount St. Helens, exploring and documenting the many distinct landscapes that make this place special. The lightweight aspect of the Fujifilm X Series camera is ideal for how to move fast and light in the mountains. I have already created some of my work that I’m most proud of, working with it around the PNW.

Rf: Where do you see your work going from here?

CJ: At the moment, I am working hard to transform my passion into a career. I want my images to fulfill a purpose and help to preserve our world’s remote and well-loved wild places.

Rf: Which brand, media outlet or agency is your ideal client?

CJ: I can’t wait for the next Patagonia catalogue to arrive. I keep a stack of them going back for years in a basket for quick reference. Even prior to my own photographic endeavors, their combination of bold imagery with environmental activism has been influential. I dream of the day when one of my images can represent the brand and touch others the way they inspire me.

Visit the official Fujifilm Students of Storytelling site for more information about the complete program. Follow @caleb.jacobson to stay up to date with Caleb Jacobson.