Atiba Jefferson In Transit
The word legend might be overused, but when it comes to Atiba Jefferson, it feels like that's undercooking it. For nearly three decades, he’s been a powerhouse behind the lens. Renowned worldwide for his electrifying photography spanning sports, music, lifestyle, and—where it all began—skateboarding, Atiba’s work has reached undeniable icon status. His collaboration with Architecture (the Virgil Abloh-founded media and design practice) and OTW Vans has taken his photography and archival video works on a global tour, from Miami to Paris.
Game recognizes game—and Atiba has captured plenty of icons in their element: LeBron, Steph Curry, A$AP Rocky, King Krule, Kendall Jenner, Golovkin, Dua Lipa, Flea, Pharrell, and Kobe, to name just a few. The list is as long and distinguished as his extraordinary career. His images pulse with raw energy, distilling the essence of his subjects—whether it’s a game-winning dunk, a legendary stage dive or flawless grind.
A true pioneer, Atiba is far more than man and camera; he’s a cross-cultural documentarian, continually redefining how we see and experience the worlds of art, sport, and creativity. To our luck, he also loves rolling through the Hollywood Hills on his bike. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to sit down with him for an In Transit moment of our own.
You’ve shot some of the greatest talents from skate, sport and culture - how do you approach your craft?
I approach my craft by just really loving my subject matter and what they do.
And how has that changed over the years since you first started out?
The one thing I changed is I'm a little calmer when shooting because, at the end of the day, I'm just a fan of my subjects.
Your recent exhibition Atiba Jefferson Skate Photography looked wild. How was it curating such an expansive body of work?
I was really lucky to work with the crew at Architecture. They really did all the editing and curating for the exhibit. But it was about six months of digging and going through negatives and files, which was such an amazing experience to relive the last 29 years.
Is there anyone out there you’d love to shoot but haven’t yet? Who’s on your bucket list?
Oh yeah, there are so many names on the bucket list: Obama and Tiger Woods, for starters, but the list is long!
How did you first break into the industry? Any tips for people looking to unlock their own creativity and follow a similar path?
I never expected to break into the industry. I was just there at the right place at the right time, with lots of hard work, lots of patience, and just really loving being able to have the opportunity to be surrounded by the best.
Tell us about your involvement with The College Skateboarding Educational Foundation - there’s some great support happening there.
It’s a huge honor to be involved with CSEF. To be able to contribute and help people with their education is something I never thought I would do, considering I went to one year of community college.
Who or what have been your biggest influences over the years? Artists, icons, teachers, heroes?
I have lots of heroes and teachers. Grant Brittain, Andy Bernstein, Spike Jones, and all the skaters, athletes, artists and musicians I have shot have been a big inspiration to me and still are.
Who are your favorite musicians? What’s going on an Atiba Jefferson playlist?
Sheesh! I have a lot, but right now, new music would be Tyler, The Creator always, Turnstile, and then there’s Bad Brains, Miles Davis, The Wailers, and Sade.
Where do you call home?
Los Angeles is home, but I will never forget that I’m from Colorado.
How does your own neighborhood influence your approach? What do you draw on?
Living in the Lake Hollywood area is amazing because it’s a quiet suburb surrounded by so much beauty that I can ride my bike around. I can also take it up to the Sign and kind of feel like I’ve escaped Hollywood for a bit and it feels a little like Colorado. But if I wanna be in the city, it only takes me five minutes.
Traveling for work, where has been your favorite destination for a shoot so far and why?
I have so many amazing places that I’ve been to. I love Japan. Tokyo is very inspiring. I also love going to Africa. Jamaica was great, but also all of Europe.
What is your relationship with cycling?
My relationship with cycling was, at first, a form of transportation to and from the bar, and then I really got into going around like Hollywood and the Sign. It’s something that I feel when I’m doing it; I have the same drive as I get from wanting to accomplish a trick on a skateboard without the injury.
What first drew you to the scene?
I think what I love about cycling is just like any other scene, skateboarding or Punk Rock or whatever; it might be that you just see a group of people that really have the same passion you have for something.
What are you riding? What's the current rig?
My current rig is a S-Works Creo. I love it. It’s an electronic assist. I do a lot of climbing to get up to the Sign, and at my old age, these hills just kick my ass, and I don’t wanna just ride flat, so it’s great to have such an amazing bike to accomplish the climbs that I want to, thank you so much Specialized!
And what's your dream bike? Something on the grail list for the future?
Thankfully, from Specialized, I already ride my dream bike!
What are your key essentials you never leave home without?
Helmet. Water. Bottle. Headphones and camera.
Fave bike routes? Loops around the city or somewhere further afield?
My favorite ride is around Lake Hollywood, and up to the Hollywood Sign.
How do you connect with MAAP as a cyclist? Thoughts on the brand?
What connects me to MAAP is that they want to make the best they can, and that’s how I live my life, not in a competitive way but in a way that makes the best thing I possibly can.
If you could collaborate with another artist, alive or past, who would that be and why?
To collaborate with Chase Hall, Geoff McFetridge or Barry McGee would be a dream. Basquiat would be amazing.
If you had the power to change anything you wanted in the world with just one wish, what would you ask for?
World peace.
If you had the power to change anything you wanted in the world with just one wish, what would And finally, what's on the horizon for? Any immediate plans you can share for the future?
Coming up for me is to do my photo show in LA and potentially Tokyo. I have a project with Vans that I’m super excited about coming out in 2026 and a book.
Captured in Los Angeles by Alex Papke, Atiba Jefferson wears the MAAP Transit Apparel collection, available now.
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