Photographer and Climbing Guide with Wisconsin roots

Kenz Hack is a photographer, climbing guide, and full-time dirtbag based in Wisconsin, specializing in capturing adventure, climbing culture, and the beautiful chaos of the outdoor world. Armed with a BFA in Photography from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, they’ve traded gallery receptions for campfire debriefs.

As a lead climbing guide at Devil’s Lake State Park, Kenz spends their days helping people up rocks and their nights figuring out how to cram their gear, camera, and dog, Moose, into a Ford E-350 van. Their work has been exhibited in Milwaukee galleries, including the Saint Kate Arts Hotel, though they’re just as happy showcasing it on the side of a van with a headlamp.

They are also the creator of Dirtbag The Lake, a zine dedicated to the stories, people, and culture of Devil’s Lake’s climbing scene. Part documentary, part love letter, the project captures the offbeat characters, local legends, and timeless essence of the Midwest’s most iconic crag. When not behind the lens or on a rope, they’re likely chasing the next great story—or just looking for the next gas station with decent coffee.