I’ve always loved hiking and camping, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve usually done it with a backpack full of way too much camera gear.
When I first started heading out on these adventures, my gear setup was pretty rough. My backpack did almost nothing to keep out the weather, my tent seemed to collect water better than it shed it, and my sleeping bag felt like it weighed a ton. Then add in food, water, and all the camera equipment I felt I needed at the time — a camera body, a couple of lenses, and a pile of accessories. I remember weighing my pack once, and it came in at over 50 pounds. Looking back, I’m not even sure what I was thinking… other than that I was determined.
Over the years, I’ve gotten a little smarter about what I carry. After more than thirty years of doing this, I’ve managed to cut my pack down to around 35 pounds. That said, I still usually carry 8 to 12 pounds of camera gear. Some people might wonder why I’d put myself through that.
The answer is simple: I love it.
There’s just something about being out in the woods, on a mountain trail, or deep in a rainforest that resets everything for me. I love the challenge, the quiet, the unpredictability, and the feeling that something incredible might be waiting around the next bend. And I love being able to share those moments through my photography with people who feel that same connection to nature, especially those who can’t always get out there themselves.
Some of my favorite moments happen at sunrise and sunset. Those are the times when the light feels magical, the landscape softens, and the wildlife starts to move. Of course, depending on the season, that can mean very early mornings or very late evenings, and yes, it sometimes affects my sleep. But it’s always worth it. Those are the moments I live for.
I know camera gear keeps getting lighter, and cell phone cameras keep getting better all the time. Maybe one day I’ll finally give in and lighten my load a bit more. Maybe. We’ll see. That possibility might become very real in 2026, when I’m planning to hike a portion of the Camino in Spain.
So there may be a few changes ahead.
Until then, I’ll probably still be the guy hauling too much camera gear down the trail, hoping the extra weight leads to something memorable.
And honestly, a lot of the time, it does.
As always, thanks for coming along for the journey. If you ever have questions about my photography, my gear, or the adventures behind the images, feel free to send me an email.
