Creator Kristina Makeeva says that photography is simply a way for her to share how beautiful and full of magic our world can be. “At the heart of my work is a simple philosophy: finding 'Simple Magic Things' in everyday life, whether it’s a cozy winter street, cat or a prompt of light.”
Known online as @hobopeeba, Kristina has amassed over 1.5 million followers on Instagram. Her whimsical works have resonated on a global scale and opened doors to many collaborations. “Over the years, this passion has grown into major personal projects that many of you might know – like my series with flying dresses against the world's most beautiful backdrops or my whimsical shots of cats in cozy settings. This journey has taken me to some of the most surreal corners of the planet, from the pristine, frozen landscapes of Antarctica and the unique dragon blood trees of Socotra Island, to Mexico, where I captured thousands of swirling monarch butterflies.”
Whether she’s working on a personal fairytale shoot or a major campaign for an international hotel, she says having the right gear is everything. “This bag is my trusted travel companion. It’s a carefully selected toolkit for landscape, travel, and portrait photography, filled with the Sony cameras and lenses that help me safely capture these fleeting, magical moments and share them with the world." Keep reading as Kristina shares what’s in her bag:
Shop Kristina’s Kit:
–Alpha 7R IV
–70-200mm f/2.8 G Master
–24-70mm f/2.8 G Master
–35mm f/1.4 G Master
Camera
Alpha 7R IV: The A7R IV is the absolute command center of my gear bag. With its staggering 61-megapixel resolution, it allows me to capture an incredible level of detail, giving me the freedom to crop heavily in post-processing without sacrificing image quality. I primarily use it for creating grand, fairy-tale visual narratives in my style. The massive resolution is critical when I need to preserve the intricate textures of a massive flowing designer dress set against legendary monuments, or capture every single detail of a blooming dragon tree on Socotra Island. Its advanced autofocus system ensures that even when a model is moving dynamically, dancing with feathers, or adjusting a gown in the wind, the shot remains perfectly locked and sharp. It is an invaluable asset because it bridges the gap between commercial-grade artwork and a portable, field-ready body. Most of the photos in my account were taken with this camera.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master.
Lenses
70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: This lens is my go-to choice for compressing landscapes, isolating distant subjects, and creating that signature, otherworldly atmosphere. The bright f/2.8 aperture delivers a stunningly smooth background bokeh that separates the subject from the background, making models or vibrant props pop beautifully. I use this focal range to compress the perspective in grand locations – like capturing a lone figure amidst an endless field of blooming lavender in France, or isolating the surreal geometry of hot air balloons rising over Cappadocia. It allows me to extract intimate, magical moments out of vast scenes, turning a chaotic environment into a clean, minimalist, and deeply emotional artistic composition.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master.
24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: If I could only bring one lens to capture the magic of the world, it would be this one. The 24-70mm focal range is incredibly versatile, allowing me to instantly switch from wide environmental landscapes to standard perspective portraits. It is the core tool I use for complex travel compositions - such as framing a model in a magnificent palace hallway in Paris or capturing the reflection of a colorful umbrella against a mirror-like salt lake. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures consistent exposure settings while zooming through changing scenery. It stays mounted on my camera for most of the day because it reliably handles the unpredictable environments of a travel shoot. If the angle of view isn't wide enough, I often use panning, stitching the shot together later in a graphics editor.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master.
35mm f/1.4 G Master: This prime lens is my secret weapon for low-light environments, twilight atmospheres, and intimate storytelling. The ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture lets in an abundance of light, making it perfect for capturing the cozy glow of winter festivals, blue hour strolls, or streets illuminated by floating lanterns. I love using the 35mm focal length because it mimics the natural field of view of the human eye, creating an immersive, cinematic style where the viewer feels like they are stepping right into the fairytale. Its tack-sharp performance at wide apertures allows me to turn simple things, like sunlight glare or smoke spirals, into pure visual magic.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 35mm f/1.4 G Master.
Accessories
Camera Backpack: A rugged, weather-resistant backpack specifically designed with modular compartments for camera bodies and lenses. It keeps thousands of dollars of sensitive gear safe and organized while trekking through demanding photo shoot locations, from freezing ice fields to dusty desert dunes.
Tripod and Phone Holder: A compact, lightweight travel tripod equipped with an adjustable smartphone mount. Vital for stabilizing long-exposure landscape shots, capturing behind-the-scenes video for social media, or locking down the frame when creating composite images where multiple elements are blended together in post-processing.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master.
Reflector: A collapsible fabric disc used to bounce natural or artificial light onto a subject. It is a lightweight tool that instantly softens harsh shadows on a model’s face or wardrobe when shooting outdoors under bright, direct sunlight.
Lens Filters & Macro Filter: Glass attachments (like polarizers, ND filters, and close-up macro glass) that screw onto the front of lenses. They help control tricky lighting, cut through glare on water surfaces, and allow standard lenses to capture ultra-close macro details of everyday wonders, like frozen ice patterns or morning dew.
Hot Shoe Adapter & Remote Light: A mounting bracket and a portable, rechargeable LED cube light. Provides targeted illumination for illuminating specific props – like glowing lanterns, smoke or accessories – adding an extra touch of off-camera magic to night and twilight scenes.
Memory Cards & Plush-Lined Case: High-speed storage media protected inside a heavy-duty, padded carrying pouch. Essential for handling massive 61MP files safely without the risk of data corruption or physical damage during long international transits. Plush-lined cases (several) to protect lenses from impacts and dust.
Carbines (Carabiners): Durable metal clips attached to the exterior straps of the backpack. Perfect for quickly securing loose external items like water bottles, sun hats, or lightweight prop bags directly to the outside of the backpack for fast access. You can also attach heavy bags or a weight to the tripod to prevent it from swaying in the wind.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master.
Maintenance Kit (Air Blower, Cleaning Brush, Wiping Cloth) Specialized, non-abrasive tools designed to remove dust, smudges, and moisture from glass. Keeps lenses and camera sensors spotless when shooting in extreme outdoor conditions, ensuring no dust spots ruin a pristine, magical sky.
Power Bank & Additional Battery High-capacity external power bricks and spare camera batteries. Eliminates low-battery anxiety during full days of travel away from wall outlets, especially when shooting in cold climates where battery life drops quickly.
Insulated Mug With Tea, Mug Holder, & Tea Bags: A temperature-retaining travel tumbler, an exterior carry sleeve, and spare tea pouches. Keeps a warm, comforting beverage accessible during chilly early morning sunrise shoots while waiting for the perfect light.
Personal Care (Sun Hat, Cap, Pillow, Hand Cream, Dental Floss): Weather protection gear, a travel pillow, and quick hygiene essentials. Shields against sunburn or frostbite during long outdoor waits, and keeps travel comfortable during extended flights. I also like carrying lenses in beanies instead of using dedicated cases, since the beanies can still be worn if I get cold.
Photo by Kristina Makeeva. Alpha 7R IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master.
Sustenance (Water, Sweet Drink, Apple, Snacks): A mix of fresh fruit, savory seaweed snacks, fresh water, and a sugary soda. Keeps energy levels high and hydration locked in during grueling backcountry hikes or long production days.
Sanitization (Alcohol Wipes): Individually wrapped sanitizing wipes. Great for cleaning hands after snacking or quickly wiping down gear surfaces before packing them away into the bag.
Phone: A standard smartphone. Used for navigation, monitoring weather apps, managing camera settings remotely, and capturing quick visual notes or reference shots of locations.
You can find more of Kristina Makeeva’s work on Instagram @hobopeeba.
Explore what's inside the bags of more of your favorite creators at alphauniverse.com/wimb.
