Continuing the morning lecture series at San Joaquin Valley Town Hall, National Geographic photographer, Jimmy Chin lectures on his personal life, stories and accomplishments that lead him to his astonishing success today, Nov. 20.

Chin began his professional career in 1999 when he picked up his friend’s camera and took a picture that quickly sold for $500. He is most known for his Oscar-winning documentary, ‘Free Solo’, which captured Alex Honnold’s historic journey of attempting to conquer the climb of 3,000 ft. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope. 

During Honnold’s final moments of conquering his life long dream, Chin had to race up the mountain and, without looking through the lens of his camera, he snapped the picture that later became the cover of National Geographic Magazine.

In his lecture, Chin talked about his personal life growing up. He shared that he took a different path than his parents had planned. Instead of going to college, Chin went in a different direction and discovered his passion for climbing and later uncovering a love for photography, which brought him to where he is today.

To find out more about Jimmy Chin, check out LeBlanc’s article on The Feather.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2019-20.