Mike Hinkens feet, "Better to Die Trying, Than to Live Dying". Photo by: Cody York

A few years back I started noticing a ton of BMXers getting or having tattoos. So at the beginning of this year, I started documenting and photographing all the riders I would meet up with for a photo series for ESPN. The first one was published back in May and then yesterday, the second round went up featuring riders, Anthony Napolitan, Ben Hucke, Caleb Quanbeck, Chester Blacksmith, Seth Klinger, Tony Malouf, Troy Merkle, Vince Smith and Mike Hinkens. To see their ink, click here to check them out, along with their stories behind them.

Troy Merkle tailwhips a unique D.I.Y. spot while filming for "Ride Life" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo by: Cody York

Over the past several months, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting with Giant’s Troy Merkle while he filmed for his part for the new Giant video coming out soon called, “Ride Life”. The photos from our shoots were used in a slideshow, to go along with an interview that recently went up on ESPN. Troy got so much done in the few times we were able to meet up, I can’t wait to see what he did for the rest of his full length section, (as well as everyone else’s). The Giant video is going to be one not to miss! Check out Troy’s interview about filming for the video and some sneak peek photos here: Troy Merkle and Giant’s new video

Launchin' Lance stretches a huge superman seat grab, just before the sun sets at the Red Bull Dream Line contest earlier this year in Wisconsin.

I am pleased to announce that I have a photography interview over on BMX Union.com! BMX Union is a great website ran by Kurt Hohberger, who’s been doing an amazing job of covering the BMX scene in a very positive light. I’m a big fan of the site and it’s known for having great interviews, so I was honored that Kurt asked me to do one. People always ask me how I got into photography, what gear I’m using, if I ever went to school for it, how I got into riding etc. and in this interview I answer all that and more, including who are my favorite riders to shoot with. Check it out here: BMX Union Interview

Ryan Barrett reaches his northernmost extreme with a clicked table at the Solstice trails in Portland. Getting to shoot photos of these Northwest trails with such a legendary rider is about as rare as the astronomical event that bears the name. Photo by: Cody York

I’m proud to announce that I’ve had another photo published in the latest ESPN ZOOM gallery for the month of December. The photo is a trail riding shot I snapped of BMX legend, Ryan Barrett during my visit to Portland, Ore. this past fall. Barrett took me to these amazing new trails he’s been riding and building at called, Solstice. The locals were super cool and allowed me to take some photos of their perfectly shaped jumps. Thanks to Cale Christi, Kurtis Jones, Ryan Barrett and the rest of the locals for letting me shoot and big thanks to Josh Suhre for helping me lug all my gear through the woods to get this shot!

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, Washington. Photo by: Cody York

Reed Stark full speed wallride at the University of Minnesota. Photo by: Cody York

This massive wall ride photo I took of 18-year-old Reed Stark was just published in ESPN’s November ZOOM gallery. Please check it out, along with 9 other amazing photos that were selected as this month’s best action sports photos.

Chad Kagy shows off some of his favorite tricks on the vert ramp in Cloud 9 at Woodward East. Photo by: Cody York

I’ve had a remarkably busy past few months, traveling all over the U.S. shooting photos. Some of these photos have ended up in a gallery that ESPN just published, featuring some of my best BMX shots from this summer and fall. Including this 5 shot photo composite I created with vert legend, Chad Kagy riding the vert ramp in Cloud 9 at Woodward East, shown above. Chad and I spent pretty much the whole day shooting this composite and I’m stoked on how it turned out. Chad’s a photographer himself, so he was down for the cause. Thanks for your patience Chad! To see some other cool shots, please check out the gallery on ESPN here: “Cody York–Fall, Summer 2011 Portfolio”

David Grant OPERATIV X DIG Print Ad

The newest issue of DIG BMX mag #48 just came out and features the above Operativ ad I shot with David Grant. We had the pleasure of meeting up and shooting with Grant near his hometown in Muncie, Indiana. Big shout out to David for throwing down on this one. This was the first spot, first trick of the day and it is seriously one of the biggest 50/50 ledge grinds I think I’ve ever shot. We also shot a bunch of other photos that day for an interview that recently went up on ESPN. Be sure to check that out and pick up the latest issue of DIG!

Chicago Cityscape

This is a digitally stitched together panoramic that I recently took while in Chicago and no, this was not shot with an iPhone!

Scott and Sparky cruising down I-90 turnpike. Photo by: Cody York

Meet Scott and Sparky, the motorcycle dog. I passed these two while driving back from a photo shoot in Chicago last week. In all my years of traveling, I’ve never seen anything like this. Sparky was riding on the gas tank of Scott’s motorcycle, while they were hauling ass and doing 80 down the turnpike! Always having my camera ready, I snapped some photos while they were cruising down the road and then waited till they got off at a rest stop to chat with them. Scott’s a really nice dude from Northeast Ohio, that was visiting his daughter who was going to school in Chicago. His dog Sparky, who is 12 years old, started making the trip with him by riding on his motorcycle about a year ago. Scott had a custom leather harness made that goes around his chest and latches onto a harness that goes around Sparky’s chest to keep him strapped in. Scott it all started as a trip around the block and the dog fell in love it. Now he can’t go anywhere without the dog wanting to go with. If your ever cruising through Ohio, be sure to have your camera ready. These two don’t mind having their picture taken and draw quite the attention down the freeway!

Scott and Sparky at a rest stop off I-90 turnpike. Photo by: Cody York