Today we’d like to introduce you to JP Gendron
Hi JP, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for the opportunity! Well, I’m a photographer, entrepreneur, and mountain athlete living in the Wasatch backcountry. My path has been anything but straight forward—king crab fishing in Alaska, ski patrolling in Utah, guiding bike tours in Europe, building brands in the outdoor industry—but each step has shaped the creative and adventurous life I lead today.
I grew up skiing in Vermont and moved west to chase snow. After a short, grueling stint as a crab fisherman, I landed in Utah with a student pass at Alta and never looked back. I’ve worked as a ski patroller, bike guide in Europe, team mechanic for Cannondale, and eventually launched a photography career that’s taken me around the world. Along the way, I directed marketing for SR Suntour and helped build Pit Viper Sunglasses into a global brand.
In 2024, I launched Mars Ramp House, a branding, marketing, and talent management agency. Our first big project has been relaunching Hugg-A-Planet, a 42-year-old company making soft, educational globes pillows. We’ve refreshed the brand and operations, rebuilt the website, and are working to get these unique products into classrooms and homes worldwide.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—but that’s what makes it worthwhile. I’ve bounced through challenges and changes, learning to trust the process and embrace uncertainty. Life in the backcountry is its own full time job, but my goal has always been to live in the mountains as an athlete, artist, and entrepreneur. It hasn’t been easy to balance all three, but it keeps life exciting and pushes me to grow.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I excel in storytelling and finding the common ground—through photography, branding, and partnerships—to create authentic connections. With Mars Ramp House, we dive deep into our clients’ brand personality to uniquely communicate them to their audience, then strategically outline the best route forward based on their goals.
Work aside, I’m most proud of the times I’ve been able to help others whether as a director and team manager, team member, friend, or neighbor. It’s been a wild ride, and the connections I’ve made with so many amazing people along the way are what’s been most meaningful. I’m grateful for the places photography has taken me, and the incredible moments and people I’ve had the privilege to capture. These experiences along with living in the backcountry have shaped my creativity and resourcefulness, giving me a unique perspective I carry into every project.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Lots of each really. I’m a big fan of the Hidden Brain and IdeaCast podcasts. Novels by Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins. Psychology and economics, especially Daniel Kahneman, and apps that help me instantly identify plants and mushrooms-marvelous.
Pricing:
- $44.95 for the Classic Earth Hugg-A-Planet
- Wide variety of prices for my photography prints at jpgendron.com
Contact Info:
- Website: marsramp.com and huggaplanet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jp.gendron/
Image Credits
JP Gendron
