As the fleeting window of autumn arrives, photographers face the annual challenge of capturing the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the changing season. For professional photographer and equipment reviewer Kate Garibaldi, preparing for this dynamic time of year requires a thoughtful, highly adaptable approach to gear selection. Rather than relying on a single, rigid camera bag, Garibaldi has curated a flexible two-tier system designed to handle everything from intimate forest macro shots and sweeping landscape vistas to distant wildlife encounters and on-the-go video production.
Fall color photography often demands versatility. For Garibaldi, the season is never strictly about stationary landscapes. While finding a compelling composition rich in warm tones remains a priority, the hunt frequently extends to incorporating wildlife into the scene—ranging from tighter animal portraits framed by foliage to sprawling environmental shots where fauna occupy a modest portion of a vast, colorful valley. Because of these shifting priorities, Garibaldi divides her field strategy across two distinct camera bag setups, supported by a specialized array of tripods, filters, power solutions, and media tools.
Balancing Two Distinct Camera Bags
Garibaldi’s core camera system centers on a Sony a7R IV paired with a rotating selection of lenses, including the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD, Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7, Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8, and a Sigma 50-500mm telephoto. Because she regularly tests and reviews editorial loaner gear for publication, her kit frequently incorporates temporary review samples alongside her personal equipment.
When heading out for a dedicated landscape hike where a massive telephoto lens is unnecessary, Garibaldi reaches for the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L in Sedona Orange—a bag she favors so much she also owns it in Yuma Tan. Featuring an abundance of pockets within a compact footprint, the sling allows her to organize smaller accessories efficiently without dragging along a bulky backpack. It provides just enough room for her landscape setup while maintaining the mobility needed to explore shifting viewpoints along winding trails.
Conversely, when wildlife excursions—such as tracking elk through mountain terrain—are on the agenda, Garibaldi transitions to the PGYTECH OneMo 2 backpack. This larger format accommodates the "kitchen sink" approach, primarily making space for one or two heavy telephoto lenses. Aside from the inclusion of the long glass, her fundamental fall color kit remains remarkably consistent between both setups.
Supporting the Shot: Tripods and Filter Kits
Stability is paramount when working with the slower shutter speeds frequently required in autumn environments, particularly around streams and waterfalls where intentionally blurred water movement enhances the mood of a scene. Garibaldi utilizes a rotation of carbon-fiber tripods, selecting either the beefier Ulanzi JJ06 legs or the nimble, lightweight Promaster Iota 422 depending on the physical demands of the hike. This balance ensures maximum stability without turning an enjoyable autumn trek into an exhausting gear haul.
To manage the wet environments typical of seasonal waterfalls and damp forests, Garibaldi relies on a comprehensive filter kit centered around Kase KW Magnetic Filters, paired temporarily with an older B+W circular polarizing filter after misplacing the original CPL. The circular polarizer is indispensable for cutting through reflections on wet rocks, foliage, and shallow water surfaces to reveal underlying textures, while also deepening blue skies under favorable light. Neutral density (ND) filters round out the kit, allowing her to control shutter speeds during daylight hours to achieve silky water effects without sacrificing fine background detail.
Optics, Power, and Behind-the-Scenes Production
Autumn weather can shift dramatically in forested and mountainous regions, prompting Garibaldi to pack compact rain protection, a pocket-sized reflector to manipulate harsh lighting or fill shadows during macro work, and essential cleaning supplies. Given that waterfall spray and dusty trails can quickly compromise a front lens element, she carries a spray bottle—which doubles for adding artificial water droplets to leaves—alongside dusters, lens wipes, and microfiber cloths.
Power management is another critical consideration, as cooler autumn temperatures accelerate battery depletion. Garibaldi relies on multiple batteries and charging solutions from Llano for her Sony NP-FZ100 setup, utilizing both a two-battery charging case and a larger power bank-integrated case. This system allows her to continuously rotate fresh batteries during long backcountry camping trips or full days of shooting stills and video without needing a permanent electrical outlet.
In addition to her traditional workflow, Garibaldi has integrated newer tools into her autumn kit. She utilizes an external monitor—specifically the Neewer F700U OLED—to verify critical focus, sharpness, and composition across both photography and video applications before moving on from a scene. Furthermore, she carries a small gimbal camera to capture behind-the-scenes video content for social media. These secondary video clips help contextualize her final images for audiences often skeptical of digital authenticity, illustrating the actual surrounding landscape and demonstrating the precise perspective from which a photograph was composed.
Ultimately, Garibaldi’s approach to fall color photography is defined by preparedness and adaptability. By tailoring her gear loadout to the specific demands of each outing—whether keeping it light with a sling bag for intimate forest floor flat lays and macro details or deploying a full telephoto kit for distant wildlife—she ensures she is ready to capture the fleeting beauty of autumn before the seasonal window closes.
