About Renan
EXPEDITION CLIMBER, LANDSCAPE ARTIST & FILMMAKER

Renan lives to tell stories about our connection to the natural world,often set within the most challenging environments on Earth.

My journey began living in tents under the immense walls of U.S. National Parks and the icy realms of the Himalayas, as both an expedition climber and a landscape artist. This wasn't just a venture for physical feats; I was driven by a need to capture the world's beauty on canvas, sometimes using natural pigments I pulled straight from the earth. This unique blend of artistry and adventure led to being honored as National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year in 2013.

Over time, my passion for storytelling expanded into filmmaking. From the harrowing ascents in "The Ghosts Above" on Everest to the deep cultural exploration in "The Last Honey Hunter" in Nepal, each project has been a labor of love, sweat, and sometimes tears. The films I've been a part of, like MERU and Sherpa, have resonated with audiences worldwide, even snagging awards like the 2015 Sundance Audience Choice Award for MERU.

But it's not just about the accolades or thrilling adventures. Projects like "ASHES to ASHES," about confronting racial injustices, or "Gather / Native Food Systems," focusing on Native American resilience, hold a special place in my heart. They show the power of storytelling in driving meaningful conversation and change.

Today, I juggle a few roles: I'm an expedition climber for The North Face, a photojournalist for Sony and National Geographic, and a commercial filmmaker. My work has even caught the eye of major brands like Apple, Google, and Nike, for whom I've directed and shot campaigns. It's been an unbelievable journey, one that I hope continues to blur the lines between visual storytelling, exploration, and social impact.

Clients & Partners