With no script and a borrowed demo rig, Court spent three days in unfamiliar country and delivered stunning photography—exactly the kind of creative partner we love to work with.
Some journeys start with a schedule. Others start with a question—“Where should I go?”—asked over coffee, texted to a friend, or tossed out to someone parked nearby at a trailhead.
That’s the thing about showing up in a camper: people talk to you. They ask where you’re headed. They offer shortcuts, scenic pull-offs, or a better place to park for the night. You don’t just pass through—you get pulled in. The looser the plan, the more room there is for moments that stick.
This one started as a three-day photo assignment: take the Alaskan Camper into Oregon’s Mt. Hood region and see what unfolds. No itinerary. No pin drops. Just a truck, a few cameras, and a creative brief built on trust. What followed was unscripted but memorable—campfire nights, unexpected stops, Highland cattle at sunset, an impromptu Easter dinner, and a few friends who helped bring the story into focus.
It wasn’t easy. But it was exactly right.
And at the center of it all? A photographer, producer, and editor who knows better than most: sometimes the best direction is no direction at all.
Hey Court
Court Long is a Colorado-based photographer, editor, and producer on staff at Matchstick Productions, the iconic ski film company known for big-mountain storytelling and decades of shaping the freeride scene. With a BFA in Photography and years of in-house creative experience, she’s spent her career bringing outdoor stories to life from the inside out. Court isn’t one to over-plan or over-style—she works by instinct, reads the light, and lets the story unfold naturally. Whether she’s deep in the backcountry or figuring things out on the fly, her images come back honest, grounded, and full of life.
Meet Court Long
Court Long didn’t stumble into this kind of work—she built it, one job, one shot, and one conversation at a time. She moved to Colorado in 2016 with a camera in hand and a pull toward a more flexible, creative life outdoors. After earning her BFA in Photography from Colorado State University, she found her place in the outdoor industry—taking on roles in content creation, athlete management, and brand marketing at Winter Park Resort, J Skis, and White Duck Outdoors.
At the center of it all is her craft: visual storytelling. Her passion lies in helping outdoor brands come to life—not just through beautiful imagery, but through honest, instinctive narratives that reflect what it feels like to be out there.
Today, Court lives in Crested Butte and works for Matchstick Productions—the iconic ski film company with deep roots in big-mountain terrain and a long track record of genre-defining work. Like many steps in her career, this one started with a conversation—at a bar, with Matchstick’s art director. A few months later, she was part of the team. Her role now spans editing, production, and creative support. The work keeps her close to the sport she loves, but it’s the people she works with who push her most.
I have a tendency to meet people randomly and end up in places that I didn’t anticipate ending up in, and that is my favorite part of this trip.
The Photoshoot Assignment
When Court reached out to Alaskan Campers on a whim—a message through Instagram—she wasn’t expecting much. But within days, she was on a call with the team, discussing a creative collaboration. Two weeks later, she flew to the Pacific Northwest to pick up Alaskan’s expo rig and hit the road.
The assignment: spend three days with the camper and return with a set of images that felt lived-in and real. No product staging. No perfect weather. Just a truck, a camera, and the freedom to see what the road would offer.
No plan, all payoff.
Court didn’t know the area. She didn’t have a location list. What she had was curiosity, a few friends willing to help, and a strong sense of how to follow a feeling. The result? A visual diary captured across forest roads and alpine pullouts—from Timberline Lodge to Lolo Pass. Her brother and his girlfriend, familiar faces in unfamiliar terrain, stepped in as models. A friend from the ski world pitched in behind the lens. And somewhere along the way, a roadside stop turned into Highland cattle at golden hour—and an unexpected Easter dinner with the ranch family who welcomed her in.
Along the way, Court found things to love about the camper itself: the ease of raising the hard-sided panels, the warmth of the heater on cold mornings, the thoughtful lighting inside and out, and the split barn-style rear door that let fresh air in without letting gear wander out. For someone used to roughing it in a weathered, homebuilt setup, those details mattered.
There were hiccups: a stove that didn’t love altitude, outlets that didn’t cooperate, gear that needed charging. But she adapted, kept moving, and brought back the kind of images you can’t fake.
Some shoots are scripted. This one was a reminder: the best moments tend to show up unannounced.
Mt. Hood Stopovers: Inspired by the Journey
Lolo Pass
A seasonal gravel route connecting Highway 26 near Zigzag to Highway 35 near Parkdale, Lolo Pass is a favorite for scenic drives, dispersed camping, and solitude. With wide-open views of Mt. Hood and frequent pullouts, it’s an easy way to get off the grid.
💡 Pro tip: No service out here—download offline maps and check road conditions before heading up. A 4WD rig helps, especially early in the season.
Timberline Lodge
Perched at 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood’s south face, this historic WPA-built lodge is both a working ski base and a high-alpine waypoint. Grab a drink, wander the halls, or hit the Timberline Trail. The lot is day-use friendly for campers—but don’t expect to overnight.
💡 Pro tip: Weather shifts fast. Come layered and leave time to linger.
Silver Star Ranch
Just off Highway 14 in southwest Washington, Silver Star Ranch sits on 53 acres with sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge. Technically outside the Mt. Hood area, it’s still well worth folding into your route. This is where Court captured the Highland cattle photos—and where the owners invited her for Easter dinner.
The campground is closed October 31 to May 31, but the property and surrounding landscapes are accessible year-round.
💡 Pro tip: A peaceful detour if you’re crossing into Washington—less pavement, more sky.
Hood River Fruit Loop
This 35-mile drive winds through orchards, vineyards, and lavender fields northeast of Mt. Hood. Start just south of Hood River on Highway 35 and follow signs through Parkdale and Pine Grove. You’ll find U-pick fruit, cideries, and scenic places to pull off and stay awhile.
💡 Pro tip: Visit midweek to avoid crowds, and check the website for seasonal updates. Bring a cooler—you’ll want to take some fresh-pick finds home.
Trillium Lake
Just south of Government Camp, Trillium offers some of Mt. Hood’s most iconic views—especially at sunrise. The 2-mile loop trail is accessible and photogenic. The lake is open to non-motorized boats and has both day-use and seasonal camping.
💡 Pro tip: Go early or stay late to catch it at its calmest.
Not Quite Planned—Exactly Right
Some journeys are carefully mapped. Others take shape through instinct, conversation, and the freedom to follow what feels right. Court’s time around Mt. Hood was the latter—unplanned, unscripted, and exactly right.
What she didn’t expect was that it would quietly fulfill a goal she’d written down back in 2017: travel for a freelance photography gig. A modest line to some, but a meaningful one for someone who’d spent most of her career in-house, creating for outdoor brands from behind the scenes. This shoot gave her a chance to take the wheel, literally and creatively.
And it delivered.
We’re proud to have partnered with Court on this project—and excited for what’s next. With a new Alaskan Camper model on the horizon—lighter, more streamlined, and built with gear-haulers in mind—it might be exactly the setup she’s been waiting for. Fewer amenities, more space for skis, climbing gear, and a layout that fits the way she actually travels. We’ll be in touch when it’s ready—because naturally, she’ll be the one taking it for a spin and bringing back the photos.
Thanks again, Court! For the photos, the perspective, and the reminder that some of the best stories start with a goal, not a plan. Follow her work at @courtlong10 or visit loamventures.com.
Got a story to share? We’re always looking for Alaskan owners with real-world adventures to feature in Alaskan Life. If you’ve got a trip, a rig setup, or an experience worth telling, we’d love to hear it. Email me at [email protected] and tell us your story!
