Julia Roger-Veyer

"I had frostbite in my toes a few years ago, I'm not very good in the cold – it's my enemy," laughs sports and action photographer Julia Roger-Veyer, who, despite her aversion to sub-zero temperatures, has built a career photographing adventure sports at high altitudes, often in extreme conditions.

Born and brought up in Paris, Julia and her family often spent holidays in French mountains, including the Alps. Her grandfather was always photographing and painting the dramatic landscape and he showed her how to use an analogue camera. "I always had a small camera with me on those trips," Julia recalls. "The first camera I bought was the Canon EOS 500D, and that's when I started taking photography seriously."

Undeterred, Julia decided to become a nurse, a job she still does today, always carrying a camera on her many expeditions through the snow-covered landscapes.

Female photographers were a rarity while Julia was growing up, and she considers this to be her prime motivator. "When I was little, women didn't do things like this," she says. "So, I always want to improve my skills and be better each time I take out my camera. I want to challenge myself and evolve. It is important for me to show that women can work in the outdoors and be mountain photographers. If I can help young female photographers have self-confidence, that’s a strong enough message to me."

Julia says the thing she loves most about taking photos is being able to freeze a special moment in time. In 2021, she and her friend, climber Jeff Mercier, spent two days exploring a glacier. "The first day wasn't great because the light wasn't good and we were a little disappointed with the results of the shoot," she remembers. "But at the end of the day, we went up the glacier and found a beautiful hole, which we decided to abseil down the next morning."

The hole wasn't very deep, about 20 to 25 metres, Julia recalls. "But the ice was so beautiful, so blue," she says. "It was freaky, though, because I didn't have much space to take photos. I wasn't in the most comfortable position, and it was dark. But then I saw Jeff use his ice axe beautifully, and the surrounding ice was gorgeous. I wanted that photograph [above left], and I got it."

The deep connection Julia feels with nature means she's constantly thinking about the impact of climate change. "It has been really astonishing to see how the Mer de Glace [the largest glacier in France] has changed over the past three years," she says. "Whenever I shoot there, it's sad to see more rock than ice. While moulins are big and deep, which is good for photography, it's sad to see the glacier disappear and this observation means a lot to me."

The message Julia hopes to convey through her photos? "To marvel at everything and everyone around us," she says. "There are a lot of photographers, and we all have something to share. If we are curious about everything and everybody, we can all do beautiful photography."

What's the coldest temperature you've photographed in?

"At the Ice Climbing World Cup in 2022 it was -22°C. We were in a small valley that never sees sunshine in winter. It was very cold, and we were outside all day. I always carry several pairs of thin gloves and mittens so I can change frequently. At the end of the day, I was relieved that the camera's battery still had power – so it was more difficult for me than it was for the gear!"


How do you look after your gear in freezing temperatures?

"I've seen photographers carry brushes to clean snowflakes off their cameras and lenses to remove any risk of moisture, but I've never done that. I'm very confident with my Canon EOS R1 because it's so sturdy. It has survived me climbing mountains and scaling ice walls."


Do you usually travel light?

"You have to. The gear is heavy, so I always pack one camera body and one or two lenses, but that also depends. I can't change a lens inside a glacier because it's wet and I'm on a rope, and I have to focus on that. I always plan what I want to achieve photographically from each expedition."


What's your favourite thing about being a photographer?

"Photography has shaped my view of the world. I don't know how others see the world but as a photographer, it's special. I've become more sensitive to my surroundings, to the finer details and to the people. That wouldn't have happened for me if it wasn't for photography."


What is your greatest achievement so far?

"The moment I was selected to be a Canon Ambassador. It was a beautiful moment, and it means a lot to me."


What piece of Canon kit can you not live without, and why?

"If I had to choose just one body and lens to take up a mountain, it would be the EOS R1 and the Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM: light, compact and versatile, it’s the perfect combo for most of the situations I have to photograph."


What else could we discover in your kitbag that helps you elevate your work?

"I have a list, on my phone, filled with ideas – colours, shapes, words, places – that I look at for inspiration or when I need to stay focused on the vision that I have. I also carry warm clothes, and spare pairs of gloves and socks (my favourite socks have cameras on them); good food (chocolate) to keep me motivated during a long day; and, thanks to my job as a nurse, I never compromise on safety, so I always carry a small first aid kit."

"Don't be afraid to miss shots. Be curious about mountains and nature; be adaptable to the place and the environment; and always be aware of the weather and changing circumstances. Most of all, be confident in yourself."

Instagram: @julia.ascentphotography

LinkedIn: Julia Roger-Veyer