Who Is Atiba Jefferson?

Who is Atiba Jefferson? 

Atiba Jefferson is the most important photographer in skateboarding, period. Referred to as “your favorite skater’s favorite photographer” on his episode in VICE’s documentary series “Epicly Later’d”, his work knows no boundaries, spanning from sports to music to film direction. 

Atiba has been a tour de force on the photography scene for decades, capturing some of the most well-known faces across the world including Tony Hawk, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Usain Bolt, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, and Tyler, the Creator, to name a small few. His photos have appeared on many covers of Thrasher magazine. He was a staff photographer for the LA Lakers during the Shaq and Kobe years, getting more SLAM covers than any other photographer.

Atiba's Childhood in Colorado Springs and Moving to California 

Hailing from the small town of Colorado Springs, Jefferson's childhood spent skateboarding ultimately led to his successful career by expanding his horizons and exposing him to punk rock and hip hop amid a “whitewashed” area. Ultimately, skateboarding—and the cultural lens it allowed him from an early age—laid the canvas for his later work documenting a variety of cultural moments worldwide. At 18, Atiba made the move to California. Between the weather and the skate scene, the move was inevitable. 

Atiba’s Foray into Skate Photography 

After moving to California, Jefferson quickly began filling in for photographers as needed through gigs from his brother, who worked for Transworld. Soon, he was photographing his heroes: skaters like Kareem Campbell, Heath Kirchart, Keenan Milton, and Tony Hawk. “I still remember my childhood bedroom wall,” said Kevin “Spanky” Long. “There were so many Atiba photos. Transworld era, sepia toned with the rough edges.” Artist Neckface agreed, saying, “from Heath to Muska to Jamie Thomas to whoever else, dude, he got them all.”

Atiba’s Aesthetic 

Atiba’s work stands out for its clean, concise lighting and composition across settings and subject matter. In a sea of skate photos or athlete portraits, Atiba’s are instantly recognizable. He captures the best athletes at their best performances in unique settings. The photos are clear, well composed, crisp. 

Tony Hawk, discussing Atiba to VICE, said, “People know him just by his first name." Whether it’s a studio shot of Kobe Bryant or an action shot of Andrew Reynolds gapping a stair set in front of a massive crowd, Atiba’s photos precisely capture the highest-energy millisecond of each moment exactly when it goes down. 

Beyond Skateboarding: Sports and Music 

Not one to box himself into skating alone, Atiba extended his eye to music direction and sports photography. Atiba directed numerous music videos, including “Circle the Drain” from Soccer Mommy and “Lazerray” from TV On the Radio. 

Jefferson was a staff photographer for the LA Lakers during the Shaq and Kobe years, getting more SLAM covers than any other photographer. Atiba initially assisted iconic Lakers and Clippers photographer Andrew Bernstein to learn about medium format film photography, digital photography, working with clients, and various professional techniques. This knowledge quickly enhanced Atiba’s skate photography.

Atiba and Vans 

Atiba Jefferson’s journey with Vans began as a teen in Colorado, ordering custom Chukka boots and calling them “the skateboarder’s first shoe.” In 2024, that early passion came full circle when he was named Brand Curator for OTW by Vans. As part of the global “Always Pushing” campaign, Atiba brings decades of authentic skate, music, and street culture experience to the forefront, shaping how Vans tells its story visually and culturally. More than just a collaborator, he now helps define the brand’s creative direction, making his personal history part of its future. 

Looking Ahead 

Even though he’s a household name and his photography accolades are stacking up, Atiba keeps it pushing. As a current Staff Photographer at Thrasher magazine, he’s still skating, shooting, and is even immortalized shooting skate photos, virtually, in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4. 

At this point in his career, Atiba has accumulated a large body of work to look back on. In June 2024, Atiba had a retrospective in Paris titled “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography”, showcasing 25 years of his work. He is also a mentor, involved in institutions such as the Black Image Center in Los Angeles, where he is a teaching artist. The Black Image Center supports Black storytellers, helping provide resources and platforms for emerging creators.