EP 26 Irene Yee
All You Need Is To Start

01:07:23

Irene is a professional west coast based rock climbing and adventure photographer. She started rock climbing out of pure joy, picked up a camera soon after, and continues that journey on her instagram @ladylockoff.

Her focus is to uplift women, BIPOC, and the LGBTQIA2S+ communities; choosing to highlight those pushing their own personal limits and finding inspiration in those with passion over muscle.

She is internationally published, a @natgeoadventure contributor, and works with today’s largest outdoor brands and non-profits.

Show Notes:

Irene’s links:

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. I’m your host Ting Ting from sunny and soon to be hot Las Vegas. Today our guest is another Vegas local, Irene Yee. The famed ladylockoff on Instagram.

Irene is a professional west coast based rock climbing and adventure photographer. She started rock climbing out of pure joy, picked up a camera soon after, and continues that journey on her instagram @ladylockoff. Her focus is to uplift women, BIPOC, and the LGBTQIA2S+ communities; choosing to highlight those pushing their own personal limits and finding inspiration in those with passion over muscle. She is internationally published, a @natgeoadventure contributor, and works with today’s largest outdoor brands and non-profits.

I had so much joy chatting with Irene in her house. We talked about how she transformed herself from a shy figure, hidden in dark clothes, to a bold, assertive, yet inclusive personality. I learned how she first took photos as a hobby and then slowly but surely turned creative photography into her profession when she identified the community needed her visual work. After we covered the serious topics, we had a fun time sharing about what else there is  to do in Vegas besides climbing! That’s right, Vegas has more to offer. Now let’s have fun with Irene Yee. The Lady Lockoff.   

Things We Talked about:

  • How did Irene get into photography
  • Photos are memories
  • What did Irene do for work before she became climbing?
  • You just have to start!
  • How long did it take for Irene to transition from stage job to full time in climbing and adventure photography? What was the process like?
  • The 50/50 ponder
  • Irene’s relationship with social media
  • Without a gate keeper
  • Climbing industry also needs figures who are relatable
  • Subjects of Irene’s photos
  • What do images mean?
  • Boldness presentation. By choice or by Instinct?
  • Conscious decision to gain a desired personality
  • What would you tell your younger self?
  • What does Irene arrange her time during work?
  • Push through without answers
  • Starting is always the hardest
  • Carve out the time for what you need to do
  • Other than the taking photos what other creative things does Irene do?
  • How and why did Irene start teaching climbing photography?
  • The triangle of comfort/cost/weight
  • Who are the target students for Irene’s photography workshops?
  • Understand the general rules of good photography and then break and bend the rules
  • What are tips for a guide to take good photos for their multi-pitch clients?
  • Advice to women of color to punch through barriers
  • Proudest moments
  • Big take away
  • Other things to do in Vegas besides climbing