Once upon a time I asked J.J. Schaeppi, or JOE as most of us call him, what he thought he was best at. He looked at me, laughed, and said “getting lost.” What? I asked. He grinned even deeper...“You know when girls tell me to get lost I feel like I've had enough practice by now that I'm actually good at it.” Laughing, I asked him: no, but seriously. He responded with wide blue eyes and an overly serious face that I couldn't take seriously, “SERIOUSLY! Ask ANYONE but me... I'd rather let other people do my bragging,” which he punctuated with that same grin.
   So by being asked to write about him, I suppose this is the part where he thinks I'm going to step in and do his talking for him. Sorry Joe. Not happening this time. But what I can do is let your photographs speak for you, because every time I look at them I feel like I'm being told so many more things than I could tell anyone with words- so much that I've found myself lost in their stories. (Not trying to be corney ladies and gents, seriously: look at them).
   Which makes me think, maybe he wasn't messing with me. Maybe getting lost is truly what he's good at... what he's going for. So much that he can take others with him even with a single photograph. It's like what Captian Barbossa says in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,“for certain, you have to be lost to find the places that can't be found.” And if you've ever met this guy, or even check out his photos, you'd probably agree with me that he's finding something that most of us don't know about. I'm really not sure what it is, but his energy in person alone would convince me without the photographs. I don't know what it is, but it's something special.
   Aside from this whole lost metaphor thing going on, JOE just completed two B.S. degrees in 4 years at the University of Wisconsin- MADISON (I/O Psychology & Cultural Anthropology). He grew up either traveling on airplanes with his Mom in the airline industry or indulging in the flesh bighting winters of Minnesota. Once little JOE was able to walk, his Dad strapped two K2 Mickey Mouse skis to his feet. There's been something under those tootsies that accelerates with gravity ever since. I don't know if it was that or his Mom windsurfing 8 months pregnant with him that did it, but he's definitely got a zeal for that edge. Some of his deepest passions lie with the smorgasbord of action sports he does and his music because of their push towards places unknown. He told me that the only reason he started taking photos was because of his stoke for the world he lives in, a desire to give people a glimpse into it, and hopefully help others find more beauty in their own. His travels have brought him all over the world- he's lived in several foreign countries including Germany, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Most of the time you can hear the guy from a mile away with his belting laughs that are impossible not to laugh with or his "w00000" that means he's stoked about something.. I don't know what.. but he's stoked. His zest for life and push for the beyond is something that I admire and will always find myself getting lost in. (Click on his myspace in the links section if you want more!)

 

Comments and Reviews on JOE:

"When our flames have burned out, our energy and passion exhausted, Joe continues. Not to outlast or outdo, but out of the purest form: passion and interest. Joe's personal journey as a photographer, athlete, and friend have brought him to extreme, awe-inspiring areas of the world and special places in people's hearts and memories. The photography Joe shares with us is personal and relevant; his photos exude passion and inspiration, willing us to pursue our dreams just as Joe has."
- Andy Weis

"Joe is a creative photographer with unparalleled maturity and technical skills. Whether high-altitude skiing or early morning surfing, Joe has demonstrated himself as adequately familiar with how to produce good photos. He is energetic, enthusiastic, and very capable at whatever he is doing, and trust me, Joe does a lot.
He is a rad guy overall and one of the best action photographers at his age."
- Nick Carter

"JOE is one of those people that you come across once in every 5 million people. You know, the type of person you just want to be around because his energy and enjoyment of life can rub off on you in ways that you have never imagined. Once you start to get to know him, you begin to realize WOW, maybe there isn't anything that Joe Schaeppi can't do, but not just do, do WELL! (and he's HOT)"
- Sukara Sterling