Strong Enough to Carry — On Strength, Stamina, and Being a Field Photographer
People often imagine landscape photography as something serene, slow, and peaceful. And yes—it can be. But getting to those moments of stillness is often anything but. The early mornings. The long hikes. The cold. The heavy gear.
I shoot with the Fujifilm GFX system—medium format cameras, always mounted on a solid tripod, carried through deep snow or up a rocky trail before sunrise. The truth is: this work demands physical strength and endurance. And as a petite woman—barely 49 kilos—if I didn’t train for it, I simply wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
Fitness as a Photographic Asset
I go to the gym 4–5 times a week. Not for aesthetics. Not to beat personal bests. But to maintain the strength and stamina I need to carry my gear, hike long distances, and stay steady in difficult terrain.
Landscape photography, especially with medium format gear, is physically demanding:
- A full GFX kit with lenses, batteries, filters, and tripod can easily weigh over +12kg
- My hikes often start in darkness and end in full sun, with long waits in freezing temperatures
- Sometimes I carry snowshoes, crampons, or extra layers just to reach the right spot.
Female Strength in the Field
Photography is still a male-dominated space when it comes to gear-heavy landscape work. That’s fine—I’m not here to prove anything. But I do think it’s important to show what’s possible. As women, we sometimes internalize the idea that physicality belongs to men. It doesn’t. We belong in the wild just as much.
I train because I love the process. And because it gives me the confidence to go farther, stay longer, and bring back work that reflects the real depth of the places I visit.
Mental Resilience Starts in the Body
Early mornings. Heavy packs. Long waits in unpredictable weather. Alone. These things wear on you—not just physically, but mentally. I’ve found that the stronger I am in my body, the calmer I am in my mind. And that mental clarity makes me a better photographer.
Physical preparation gives you options: to climb the next ridge, to wait for the better light, to go off-trail when needed. And sometimes, that extra bit of stamina is what separates a decent shot from a once-in-a-lifetime image.
Landscape photography isn’t a race. But it is a journey. And I want to walk that journey with strength, purpose, and intention. The gym might not look like a mountain pass—but in many ways, it’s what gets me there.
If you’re a photographer reading this—especially if you’ve ever doubted your ability to carry the weight, go the distance, or wake up early to chase something beautiful—I hope this reminds you: you are capable of far more than you think.
Strength is part of your creative toolkit.
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