How did you get your photography off the ground?

Build yourself a portfolio or a website with a variety of kinds of shooting and just email people such as these local mountains and explain to them how you could help promote or gain exposure for their brand, mountain, etc. Worst case cenario, they say “nah we’re good” and you’re in the same place you’re in now. Worth a shot!

Seconding what bueno said, being confident and selling yourself on the approach is key to this. You need to be able to tell whoever you want to be shooting for how you are able to benefit their operation, I usually try to find a niche/opportunity for content creation that they seem to be missing and then present it to them with my portfolio. It's hard banking on someone to blindly give you an opportunity when only sending them a portfolio; in their eyes the effort of getting you on board outweighs the benefits of your contribution as they most likely already have photogs on backlist.

Newschoolers is how I started. First just uploading, then covering events.
In a more general sense, just start shooting everything you can. I definitely shot for free at times.Some argue against this, which I get. There is certainly a balance, and times when you need to stick up for yourself and your value, but just showing up and shooting can go a long way.

Are there any events near you? Reach out to Twig and let him know you want to cover them and maybe he can help get you in with the hosts.

NightFantasiesSeconding what bueno said, being confident and selling yourself on the approach is key to this. You need to be able to tell whoever you want to be shooting for how you are able to benefit their operation, I usually try to find a niche/opportunity for content creation that they seem to be missing and then present it to them with my portfolio. It's hard banking on someone to blindly give you an opportunity when only sending them a portfolio; in their eyes the effort of getting you on board outweighs the benefits of your contribution as they most likely already have photogs on backlist.

Good call, I need to look more in depth into these places and figure out what I can do for them more specifically rather than just offering photos in general. Will definitely keep that in mind.

SklarNewschoolers is how I started. First just uploading, then covering events.
In a more general sense, just start shooting everything you can. I definitely shot for free at times.Some argue against this, which I get. There is certainly a balance, and times when you need to stick up for yourself and your value, but just showing up and shooting can go a long way.

Are there any events near you? Reach out to Twig and let him know you want to cover them and maybe he can help get you in with the hosts.

I shot a rail jam for a local(ish) mountain recently which was a ton of fun, and they've invited me back for future events (lift tix compensation). Was hoping to get in contact with Killington for TAFT but I haven't been able to get in touch with them. I'll definitely hit Twig up and see what more I could do. I'm in a good spot now because I've just started a full time job, so I don't necessarily need to be bringing in cash from photos right away, so if shooting for free is the easiest way to get myself out there I'm willing to do that

shoot anything and everything. it takes a lot of time and even more effort. but if you're serious, it'll grow

I'd recommend finding a mentor who works professionally because learning under someone who knows what they're doing is the straightest path to success