“Woah, woah, woah — go back.”
It’s a familiar phrase when you move through the mountains with Nikos Schwelm (@nikos.fastlight). For years, he’s been behind the lens capturing the fleeting moments that define adventure — a finger that points in the direction we’re heading, the last rays of alpenglow, the highs and lows of friends moving fast in high places.
Nikos thrives on the challenge of keeping pace with the athletes he photographs, finding a unique rhythm where movement and creativity merge. He balances the flow of fast travel with an eye for fleeting light, striking backdrops, and honest emotion. Back home, his photos — featured throughout our website — become more than memories. They’re reminders of the places that have shaped us, the people we’ve travelled with, and the stories we carry forward.
Photography is woven into everything we do, offering guests not just an experience, but a way to remember it vividly and share it long after the adventure ends. If you are interested in having Nikos capture your next adventure with Front Ranges, we would love to hear from you.
Our Offerings.
Interested in working with us to capture your next adventure or community event? Get in touch with us or let us know when you book your program to learn more about pricing and availability, and follow us on social media to be the first to know about upcoming clinics.
Beginner Photography Clinics
It’s rare that we ever go on adventures without our phone, but how many of us know how to make the most of our phone’s camera? If you want to learn how to make the most of this tool to help document your time in the mountains while on the move, check out our beginner photography clinics. Watch our Instagram for offerings or reach out to book your own clinic.
Adventure Photography Clinics
Improve your adventure photography through hands-on, full-day sessions focused on composition, storytelling, light and directing your models. Learn practical techniques that sharpen your creative eye and learn how to edit your photos to really make them stand out. Watch our Instagram for offerings or reach out to book your own clinic.
Custom Photography
Nikos can join any custom run or hike to document your adventure, subject to availability. Moving alongside us, he captures candid moments and mountain scenes to create authentic, high-quality images of your day. If you are interested in having Nikos join your custom run or hike adventure, let us know when you contact us.
Meet Your Guides
Nikos Schwelm | Fast Light Photography
Nikos is a professional photographer, currently based out of Canmore, AB, on the edge of the Canadian Rockies. He thrives on moving quickly through the mountains with a camera, capturing authentic stories showcasing his friends and fellow mountain athletes. The perfect day would start with waking up well before dawn, packing up a bag of gear, then heading off on an all-day exploration with a few good friends, capturing candid shots as we go.
Nikos has found his life-long passion in the world of mountain sports photography. Trail running, Ski-touring, Mountaineering, and Backpacking have all captured the attention of his lens. He especially loves to explore the boundaries between various mountain sports, and tell the stories of those athletes who choose to find their own ways through the mountains, blurring the lines between those traditional mountain activities.
Nikos's approach to photography is taken directly from the activities that he loves to capture. Less is more. Speed is safety. Plan obsessively, adjust when necessary. Enjoy every moment.