Chris McPherson
For McPherson, skateboarding in a Venice Beach alley for his old friend Jeff Lipsky was only a little uncomfortable. "I really like to be behind the lens," says the 36-year-old from L.A., who braved avalanche terrain to shoot Jackson Hole's house-flipping freeskiers for the November 2007 issue. "I just tried to have fun and act normal." Normal for McPherson is keeping a skateboard in his trunk at all times. "My brother was a pro skateboarder and a photographer," McPherson says of stepbrother Tod Swank, owner of monolith skate brands Pig Wheels and Foundation. "He showed me you can make a living at photography."

On McPherson: LEFT: The Custom-Fit Polo Shirt ($75) from Polo by Ralph Lauren; 514 Slim Straight Corduroys ($44) by Levi's; Blazer Low Classic shoes ($75) by Nike; hat and watch his own.
RIGHT: The Aftermath Tee ($55) by KZO; Matchstick Jeans ($178) by Levi's Capital E; Classic Slipons ($40) by Vans.