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VAIL, Colo. — SharpShooter Imaging, an on-mountain photography company, issued an apology Thursday for a photo taken by one of its photographers of a half-naked skier hanging from a Vail chairlift.
The photo, taken by photographer Marty Odom on New Year’s Day, caught an unidentified skier exposed and dangling by his pants while trying to board the Skyline Express Lift (Chair 37). The photo was published in the Vail Daily and across the Internet, and was the subject of talk and news shows around the world.
Photos by other, unidentified photographers were also seen on the Internet.
“SharpShooter Imaging deeply regrets any embarrassment the unauthorized taking and subsequent release of this photograph may have caused to the guest involved, and all other guests and employees of Vail Resort,” said a SharpShooters press release. “It is our strict company policy to respect the privacy of all resort guests at every resort we represent. The employee who breached company policy while on duty, by his unauthorized release of this image, has been suspended while the incident is investigated.”
The skier was unhurt, and Vail Resorts said it is looking into the incident. Odom, who said he was not working at the time and used his own camera, has been suspended from his job until further notice. He said that the company, citing a “no-complete clause” in his hiring contract, has claimed ownership of the photo, forbidding him to sell it.
The photography company, which stations photographers at the top of lifts to snap photos, said it wants to “ensure this does not happen again,” and is “dedicated to have every employee adhere to company policy, fully respect the privacy of all guests, and demonstrate the highest ethical behavior at all times."
mwong@vaildaily.com
The photo, taken by photographer Marty Odom on New Year’s Day, caught an unidentified skier exposed and dangling by his pants while trying to board the Skyline Express Lift (Chair 37). The photo was published in the Vail Daily and across the Internet, and was the subject of talk and news shows around the world.
Photos by other, unidentified photographers were also seen on the Internet.
“SharpShooter Imaging deeply regrets any embarrassment the unauthorized taking and subsequent release of this photograph may have caused to the guest involved, and all other guests and employees of Vail Resort,” said a SharpShooters press release. “It is our strict company policy to respect the privacy of all resort guests at every resort we represent. The employee who breached company policy while on duty, by his unauthorized release of this image, has been suspended while the incident is investigated.”
The skier was unhurt, and Vail Resorts said it is looking into the incident. Odom, who said he was not working at the time and used his own camera, has been suspended from his job until further notice. He said that the company, citing a “no-complete clause” in his hiring contract, has claimed ownership of the photo, forbidding him to sell it.
The photography company, which stations photographers at the top of lifts to snap photos, said it wants to “ensure this does not happen again,” and is “dedicated to have every employee adhere to company policy, fully respect the privacy of all guests, and demonstrate the highest ethical behavior at all times."
mwong@vaildaily.com
