We recently connected with Blayne Ippolito and have shared our conversation below.

Blayne, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission is a simple concept- I wish to change the world through the lens of a camera. I want to tell stories that inspire, and offer hope to the world and make the world a little better before I go.

How did this mission arise though? It starts out with me as a child- uncomfortable in his own skin. I remember having constant thoughts and feelings of not fitting in, being good enough, or lovable. Drowning into the frigid dark abyss of self pity, resentment, and fear. I would constantly seek my own self worth through others and really couldn’t tell you who I was. I was lost, broken, afraid, and alone. My self image at a very young age was morbid to say the least. At 9 years old I made an attempt at my life. The cold barrel of a shot gun rest in my mouth, tears rolling down my face, I pulled the trigger. The gun didn’t go off. I sat there on my bed cursing myself an idiot who couldn’t even kill himself correctly. My heart was broken- I had no will to live and couldn’t find a way out of the hell I had made and imprisoned myself in within my own mind.

Two years later I would find what I then thought was the cure to all my issues- drugs and alcohol. The feeling was liberating. When under the influence I felt nothing- no more pain. I was comfortable in my skin for once and without a second thought I followed this numbness into oblivion. By 13 I had tried more drugs than I could name- including heroin. Although I wouldn’t touch heroin again for another 5 years. At 18 heroin became my muse. Nothing else mattered but the numbness and bliss that it gave me. After a short turn of time the heroin had lost its magic and I became a slave to the once illusive substance. I quickly deteriorated into a homeless, hopeless, emaciated shell of a human being. I had one goal in life- to be numb or to be dead. This procession continued downhill until one day one man sat down in front of me and spoke out of his own experience the mental states, and emotions that I was witnessing in my own life. He offered unconditional love and hope that day. Emerging from this morass through a simple, painstaking process I was reborn.

Once a lost child with no will to live- I was reignited with life. Each moment became precious to me, and nothing seemed out of reach. Through this process my life mission was born- love and serve the world in whatever way possible.

With nothing seeming out of reach I of course, am reaching for the stars. The mission of the company as previously stated is to inspire awe, and bring hope to the world- leaving it a little bit better of place than when I left.

Blayne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Blayne, I am a recovered heroin addict of 5 years, and an aspiring alpinist, filmmaker, and photographer.

My passion for mountains started at young age and was only rediscovered in my sobriety. Moving out to Colorado about one year ago from NY I set out to follow my dreams of becoming an alpinist. My heroes being Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and most of all Renan Ozturk. Before setting off on a trek in NY a friend showed me the film Meru and it was there that the dream was solidified. The trials and tribulations that they went through inspired me to climb more and get out and after objectives. The first big objective is set to start Dec. 26th- where a friend of mine and will set out in an attempt to complete all the 14ers in one winter season and document the entire thing. With global warming affecting snowfall this may be an impossible task but we will give it our all to make it happen. We have many more projects in the works but this is step one.

The camera was introduced to me in my earlier years as my mom loved photography. This rubbed off on me a bit and in in the depressive state I had found myself in photography was always able to bring me even the tiniest shred of joy. Fast forward to today and the camera is the tool through which I wish to complete my life’s mission.

Although big mountain film/photography is my passion, my bliss and purpose- I still enjoy the regular avenues of photography and videography. My Instagram account has daily posts of my recent endeavors and compositions. I also take photo gigs and video gigs as often as they arise. My favorite thing to capture off the mountain is love. I love being able to capture and freeze moments in time for people and get to know them through tis experience, I believe photography can give you a window into the lives of other people so long as they are open to the experience of the session and lean into the moment.

I believe the biggest thing that sets me apart is my passion, and life experience. With my life experience I am a lot more fluid within life which allows for me to put out a warm inviting energy that makes people feel like their just out with their friends. My passion adds that flare and push to go the extra mile to get the perfect shot and capture exactly what the client may wish to pursue. As my goal is not to just get a good picture but capture a moment in time for whomever may be on the other side of the camera. To offer an experience in the shoot rather than just a task to be done.

When it comes to the work I do- I am willing and able to go after whatever a potential client may want or need. Whether its a promotional video, event photos/video, portraits, you name we’ll get it done.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I’ve had to learn is that life isn’t linear. This means that there isn’t just a simple equation for success. There are many times where the journey seems like it’s too much, that I can’t handle it, or I can fall into fear of not being enough. These moments can have me swimming back into a life ruled by fear- but the courage to stand up and keep pushing is a trait that I have learned through the teachings of my own experience. There isn’t one right way and I will never have all the answers. I have to remain teachable, resilient, and above all courageous.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative I believe is having an outlet to put my heart out to the world. I love vulnerability, and I love hearing what my posts or expeditions inspire others to do. If I give my heart to the world there are always people who give theirs back. Along with this I love seeing peoples eyes light up and feeling their raw emotion when they see a moment I have captured for them. It brings me so much joy to be able to give joy to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.transcendentadventures.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transcendent_traveler/

Image Credits
All images taken by myself