Anna Ivanova (@seeyououtdoors) is a self-taught outdoor and wedding photographer whose love of the mountains and adventure started during family trips and when she learned to snowboard. Ivanova moved to France in 2011 and fell in love with all there was to explore. “It’s just a huge playground! I always have my camera with me.” In 2017 she launched her photography business. “My first brand was Nikon but as I developed my business, I started to work with agencies, and needed the best camera gear out there. So I switched to Sony. And I realized how actually much easier photography could be! No more problems with focus and low light! It was life changing.” 

A scroll through Ivanova’s Instagram reveals blues and pinks of the wintery scenes that are stunning and convey the emotion and outright joy she feels as a photographer. We wanted to learn more so we asked Ivanova to show us her camera bag. Keep reading for the inside story.

Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R III
–Sony Alpha 7 III
–Sony RX100 V
–Sony 55mm f/1.8
–Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master
–Sony 16-35mm f/4

My photography is about trying to transmit emotions and atmosphere, I want people to feel what I felt at that time but also inspire them to go outdoors and enjoy incredible nature, being present and just seize the moment, it’s freeing! 

My kit varies depending on my needs. If I’m mountaineering I need a super light kit; it also depends on what type of images I want to make. When I pack my bag, I’m always considering action shots versus landscapes and the lighting conditions I will be in.

Cameras 

Sony Alpha 7R III: This is my number one camera body. When I’m spending time in the mountains, I really appreciate how compact and light it is. Plus, I can easily crop images without losing any quality. And since it takes photos in 24 megapixels, I can print in large format. And the focus is outstanding!

In addition to the “specs” I absolutely adore an adjustable screen for shooting landscapes. When I want to include a soft blurred touch in the bottom of the image, the screen is a lifesaver. It’s pretty compact and light that I appreciate when I go outdoors and when you have to take mountain gear with you. Another best part that I can crop easily my images without loosing the quality. It also allows printing in large format as it takes pictures in 42 megapixels.

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/1.4, ISO 640

When I shoot weddings, it allows me to shoot without flash for a long time, I can increase ISO without much noise. I like natural light and I shoot without flash as long as light permits. Actually, I only use flash indoors during the wedding dinner and party. Using Flash can disturb people during important moments like the ceremony or parents’ speeches. When I’m photographing weddings, I’m thinking not only about strong images but also allowing the guests to enjoy the night and the Sony Alpha 7R III allows me to do that. 

Sony Alpha 7 III: This is my back up camera and my for-fun camera. It’s compact, solid, and lightweight. On shoots, I frequently need two cameras simultaneously so I use the Sony Alpha 7R III with the Sony 55mm f/1.8 as my primary setup and the Sony Alpha 7 III with the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master as my secondary.

Sony RX100 V: This is my camera when I go for long adventures and when every gram matters. I very much appreciate its size and quality of image. I usually put it in my pants pocket attached to my pants with a carabiner so I’m sure not to lose it. The aperture allows me to shoot great portraits as well. If you’ve ever carried mountaineering gear with you, you know that a heavy camera will make life more difficult. So this mere 299 grams is amazing. And I still love the image quality!

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony RX100 V. 1/320-sec., f/2.8, ISO 125

Lenses

Sony 55mm f/1.8: I think It’s my favorite lens! I'm in love with the light and atmosphere that it allows me to create in an image. I prefer to use fixed focal lenses as they open larger so my pictures look soft and I can. This lens is what I use for portraits, products, details and storytelling. Plus the 1.8 aperture allows me to shoot at incredibly low light. If I were to have designed a dream lens, this would be it.

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 55mm f/1.8. 1/3200-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1000

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master: The perfect lens for landscape photography! As it opens to f/1.4 I also use it to take portraits and even detail shots. It is pretty compact and has that big aperture, just like the 55mm, allowing me to shoot in low light conditions. The wide angle is great for storytelling, I can really show the larger picture and allow viewers to feel like they are inside the scene.

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/1.4, ISO 640

Sony 16-35mm f/4: This is a lens I use mostly for real estate photography and for capturing a starry sky. But also for outdoor adventures because it’s more polyvalent as it goes from 16mm to 35mm.

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/4. 1/2000-sec., f/4, ISO 1250

Accessories

First off, the bag itself. I use different bags for different types of shoots: commercial, weddings, outdoor adventure, and content creation.

Like most photographers, I love gear - including the actual bag! I have four different bags that I frequently use: 

Lowepro Whistler 450: This one is for commercial shoots. It’s pretty big and heavy, so I can take all my gear with me, my laptop, and additional stuff like clothes and food.

Lowepro PhotoSport BP 200: This is for one-day easy hikes. Very light and comfortable, so I can go fast on hikes and quickly take out my gear. It can fit one camera, two lenses and even a drone.

CaseLogic DCB-309 for weddings. It’s light, has many compartments. I put in it two cameras, four lenses, and a flash. The only inconvenience of this bag is that it’s not very solid. That’s fine for weddings, but I wouldn’t trust it for much else.

Photo by Anna Ivanova. Sony RX100 V. 1/30-sec., f/1.8, ISO 320 

Mountaineering Backpack BlueIce Kume 30L for mountaineering/ski touring content creation. This one I use when I have to prioritize mountain techniques. I take the Sony Alpha 7R III if I go for one or two days adventure or I take Sony RX100 V if I go for several days.

Drone: Aerial photography and video is always unusual point of view, great to tell the story to the fullest.

Walkie Talkie: This is very useful to communicate with my models or friends.

Tripod: Manfrotto Befree Carbon. I use it mostly for capturing starry landscapes and shelters in the night

Flash: Godox V860 for weddings.

Camera Strap: Peak Design. Good looking, very useful adjustable according situations.

Camera Clip: Peak Design. essential accessory for outdoor adventure ! Easy to clip and great hook.

Snacks, water, headlamp, hand warmers: You never know how adventure could turn!

See more of Anna Ivanova's work on Instagram @seeyououtdoors.