As the autumn foliage transforms forests and mountain passes into vibrant canvases of red, orange, and gold, outdoor photographers face a distinct logistical challenge: how to pack for a season that demands versatility above all else. For photographer Kate Garibaldi, capturing the fleeting magic of autumn requires a carefully curated system that balances mobility with preparedness, ensuring she is ready whether she encounters sweeping landscapes, elusive wildlife, delicate macro details, or rapidly shifting weather conditions.
In a detailed look inside her seasonal kit, Garibaldi outlines the gear choices, organizational strategies, and equipment philosophies that define her approach to fall color photography. Rather than relying on a single, rigid setup, Garibaldi tailors her gear loadout based on the specific demands of each outing, switching between a streamlined sling bag for pure landscape explorations and a heavy-duty backpack when tracking wildlife across the backcountry.
The Dual-Bag Strategy: Balancing Mobility and Reach
At the core of Garibaldi’s autumn workflow is a dual-bag system designed around the presence of wildlife. While her core camera body—a Sony a7R IV—and general-purpose lenses remain consistent, the transport mechanism changes depending on the objective.
For days dedicated primarily to sweeping landscapes and exploring various trail viewpoints, Garibaldi reaches for the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L in Sedona Orange, a compact bag she also owns in Yuma Tan. Featuring an array of interior pockets, the 9L sling allows her to organize smaller accessories efficiently without the bulk of a full-sized backpack. This configuration shines during active hikes where moving quickly between different vantage points is essential, sparing her from carrying unnecessary weight.
However, when her itinerary includes searching for mountain wildlife such as elk amid the changing foliage, Garibaldi scales up to the PGYTECH OneMo 2. This larger backpack accommodates the "kitchen sink" approach required when packing long telephoto glass, such as a Sigma 50-500mm lens. By utilizing two distinct carrying capacities, Garibaldi ensures she never brings more equipment than necessary, reducing fatigue while maintaining the focal length options needed for diverse autumn subjects.
Throughout her shoots, Garibaldi’s kit frequently incorporates a rotating selection of lenses, including the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7, and Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8. Because she regularly tests and reviews editorial loaner gear from various manufacturers, her exact optical lineup can vary, blending personal equipment with review samples depending on ongoing field-testing requirements.
Supporting the Shot: Tripods, Filters, and Field Protection
Autumn photography often introduces challenging environmental conditions, from damp forest floors to fast-moving streams and waterfalls. To manage these scenarios without sacrificing physical comfort, Garibaldi carefully selects stabilization and filtration tools.
For camera support, she relies on carbon fiber tripods, alternating between the beefier legs of the Ulanzi JJ06 and the ultra-lightweight Promaster Iota 422. This selection process hinges on the nature of the terrain; while a sturdier set of legs offers maximum stability in high-wind scenarios or alongside rushing water, a lighter footprint keeps long hikes manageable. Tripods remain essential for her workflow, allowing her to utilize slower shutter speeds to intentionally blur water movement while enabling precise compositional adjustments.
Her filtration kit is similarly tailored to wet environments, centered around Kase KW Magnetic Filters paired with a circular polarizing filter (CPL) and an assortment of neutral density (ND) filters housed in a convenient pouch. The polarizing filter plays a critical role in controlling reflections on wet rocks, foliage, and water surfaces, revealing hidden details beneath shallow streams and intensifying colors washed out by glare. Meanwhile, ND filters act as sunglasses for the lens, enabling extended daytime exposures that render cascading waterfalls into smooth, artistic elements without completely flattening environmental textures.
To combat the unpredictable nature of autumn weather and moisture, Garibaldi packs essential maintenance and protective gear. Her bag houses a spray bottle—which serves the dual purpose of cleaning equipment and adding realistic water droplets to leaves—alongside a duster, lens wipes, microfiber cloths, a compact camera rain cover, and a pocket-sized poncho. Furthermore, she carries a collapsible pocket reflector, which doubles as a light-blocking scrim or a shadow-filling tool during close-up macro sessions involving individual leaves and fungi.
Power Management and Advanced Field Tools
Because cooler autumn temperatures accelerate battery depletion, power reliability is a paramount concern during long days in the field. Garibaldi utilizes Sony NP-FZ100 batteries alongside charging solutions from Llano, employing both a compact two-battery charging case and a larger power bank-integrated case. This setup allows her to actively rotate and charge batteries on the go, a vital capability during multi-day backcountry camping trips where traditional electrical outlets are unavailable.
Expanding her technical capabilities in the field, Garibaldi has also integrated an external monitor—specifically the Neewer F700U OLED—into her kit. By moving beyond the camera’s built-in LCD screen, she gains a larger, dedicated display to meticulously evaluate sharpness, composition, and focus accuracy before packing up a scene. This added layer of precision helps safeguard against missed opportunities during a fleeting seasonal window.
To document the creative process for digital platforms and social media, she frequently carries a small gimbal camera. Beyond producing engaging behind-the-scenes content that showcases the broader environment surrounding her final images, these video clips serve an authentic documentary purpose, providing a clear window into the actual appearance of the landscape and countering common misconceptions regarding digital manipulation.
Ultimately, Garibaldi’s comprehensive field kit reflects an ongoing commitment to adaptability. By fine-tuning her gear loadout to match the distinct rhythms of the autumn season, she remains fully equipped to respond to whatever landscapes, wildlife encounters, or subtle details cross her path before the vibrant colors fade away.
