'What Could Go Wrong?' Photo Gallery

34 classic images shot during the making of The Shadow Conspiracy's latest video release...

1 Sep 2015

Scott Ditchburn always brings laughs to the spot, and I think for this one I was the only person amused. Just watching Paul struggle to get a clip through Scott's broken phone was sort of comical. Paul ended up getting his clip and Scott didn't have enough memory left on his phone.

The Shadow Conspiracy team image for the year of 2015.

Johnny Devlin - Huge wall ice pick. This was the first trip I met Johnny, and I was immediately refreshed with his riding style! This right away had me stoked to ride with him more often.

Simone Barraco - 180 over the top of the rail to fakie nollie bar off the ledge. This was the very first image I have ever shot with Simone. This was taken in Arizona somewhere on The Shadow Conspiracy team meeting in January of 2014. Photo by Wes Mcgrath

Albert Mercado - Bunny hop invert. This was shot in January of 2014 in Arizona, after taking a short drive to Phoenix from San Diego he was snapping this invert straight onto the pro team! This was used for his welcome to the pro team advert.

Johnny Devlin - Pedal feeble onto the top of the ledge to duck under the ceiling to drop. Johnny is a quite calculator, you won't hear much from him in the van or at the spot but when he decides to get a clip, he speaks loud and clear with his riding.

Joris Coloumb - I believe this was the first trip Joris was on with Shadow in the United States. His style stood out as original and it was a treat to watch him do his thing. A few people have been added to the pro team since I have been shooting with Shadow, and this image was also Joris's welcome to the pro team advert.

Lahsaan Kobza - Double peg to gap manual. This was the very first photo I shot with the Shadow Conspiracy crew. Fresh out of the van Lahsaan found this within minutes and right away knew there were possibilities. First clip of the trip and my first photo with the team, I'd say it was off to a good start!

Mark Burnett - Feeble around the brick bend to manual barspin. Mark was added to the pro team before the premiere of 'What Could Go Wrong?' in NYC! This clip was just one of many examples of why... Shot during the Sparky's Jam back in November of 2014, it was a wet and windy day but that wasn't any worry for Mark.

Paul Ryan - Hop downside whip. During the team trip to Albuquerque, we happened to rent the same exact house Shadow stayed in once upon a time ago while filming for "Into the Void". Once again the team shares some laughs before starting the day, on the roof and on the ground.

Scott Ditchburn - Cranked turndown at a staple Arizona ditch spot. Unlike every other ditch on the team trips, this one I can't remember anyone getting a flat tire do to thorns...

Seth Kimbrough has been an intricate part of Shadow for years, also having a video part in the last video, 'Into the Void'. It's such an honor to have the chance to work with such an experienced rider, you can see that Seth is still going strong with such a solid section in WCGW!

Simone Barraco - 180 backwards ice pick to half cab barspin. On one of the last group filming trips, the team found themselves in New Mexico and of all the spots in the city, Simone executes this line perfectly! Excited to learn after this was the first one he has done on street...

Eric Bahlman filling in with the human tripod for second angle while Paul Ryan and Chadwick get busy at the top of the hill. All the riders picked up the camera once or twice during this process...

Simone Barraco - Gap tap gap 180. While the team sessions down below, I run up the stairwell to get a different look at everyone. As I sit and shoot, I begin to hear a group of young college girls giving their opinions to one another about everyone on the team and their attire. Complimenting a variety of clothing articles and especially the Nike shoes on Joris and Simone... As I finished and walked back down the stairs, I caught them red handed!

Trey Jones - High speed gap while threading the needle.

The Shadow Conspiracy 2015 group portrait.

Albert Mercado - Vertical smith slap on the wall at another staple Arizona spot. I really like this photo because of how dramatic it is, also because Albert did this so fast it was a fun challenge to get it just right!

Simone Barraco - No footed can can toothpick. This was just a fun new trick Simone seemed to learn on the spot. As usual Simone is always being asked if he could do something again, because his natural riding is just so innovative. I was lucky enough to get this one while he was messing around in the wind.

Trey Jones climbs a huge staircase to capture his ending clip in his WCGW video section. On a stormy Sunday, somewhere in the tourism town of Orlando Florida, we tip toe into the complex a couple hours ahead of the crowds and Trey grabs it first try! No one below knew what trick he was doing, (except Chadwick and myself) which made for an explosive reaction from Jono, Lahsaan and a couple unexpected people at the bottom.

Paul Ryan - Pegs over hard 180. Paul isn't afraid to make something out of nothing. At this specific spot, the team was occupied most of the afternoon with a handful of variating spots. Paul finds this unique and tight set up to make his clip count for the day.

Arnaud Mauler - One of the master minds behind all the artwork for the DVD and for Shadow in general. It's a difficult task to find an artistic direction for a project of this magnitude. Arnaud didn't skip a beat, we work together on trips and he makes my job that much more enjoyable and stress free.

Jono Hopping - Ice pick stall to footjam whip on the brick quarter. During the Sparky's warehouse jam last November Jono was spending a long while in the states and found himself in Florida with the rest of the team!

Sometimes you find yourself just enjoying the show, thankfully for some shade in that mid summer Arizona heat!

Eric Bahlman pedals back to the beginning of his runway all the way across a football field to attempt a huge set up... Gotta see the video for the antics behind this one.

Joris Coloumb is a very health conscious individual, so much that he has a positive influence on his teammates. Sharing his knowledge and in this case his mango with me while we watch Paul Ryan get to work.

Lahsaan Kobza - One of my favorite things about Shadow is that their whole team is fast! Lahsaan raced back in his day and it shoes in his ridding. This wasa very short and tight runway to deal with, but a bit of commitment and an extra pedal sent him well past the end of this stair set!

Jono Hopping - Jono is from New Zealand, so when he is in the states ridding with his mates he definitely makes it count. Lahsaan gives him a helping hand back on his bike and some positive reinforcement to keep going.

Simone Barraco - Crank arm pop over to nose wheelie off the ledge. This spot has seen its fair share of tricks over the years, yet Simone still managed to ride all afternoon with originality, big surprise!

Lahsaan Kobza blasts a toboggan over Simone during a Shadow K.I.L. Tour in Arizona at Glendale Skatepark.

Simone Barraco relaxes on a ditch bank somewhere in New Mexico as the team sweeps the spot free of stickers and tumbleweeds.

Chadwick, Lahsaan, Jono and Trey gather around to watch the raw footage of Trey's ender clip, a curious cook from the restaurant near by witnessed the whole thing and was very happy with his cigarette break.

Eric Bahlman is a bit of motor head once you get to know him, he rode his bike out to the desert and it made for this great memorable image!

As the sunsets on Arizona the Shadow team takes the day off with some friends and a campfire...

Words and Photos by Wes McGrath

When you get the opportunity to spend time with a group of riders like these on the road for weeks on end, you begin to feel like a part of their family in a way. Watching the team evolve together and witnessing their own individual growth as well, makes you appreciate the side of bike riding that may be forgotten by some, just having a good time riding with your friends. Working with these guys on 'What Could Go Wrong?', the latest video from The Shadow Conspiracy, made me forget that I was on an assignment and reminded me why I got into BMX in the first place. With 100-plus premieres across the globe in just a three day weekend it’s fair to say this project has taken the BMX world by storm so take a look at the good times had over the 3 years of filming which created this epic DVD - through blood, sweat, tears, broken cameras and of course a few broken bones.

'What Could Go Wrong?' is available in select countries via iTunes and on DVD worldwide through any Shadow supported shop, mail order, and their online store.