Where was the most challenging location you had to shoot?
"Probably when I dogsledded 1400 miles across the Arctic with Will Steger for National Geographic. Goal Zero didn’t exist yet, and we weren’t able to really recharge anything consistently, so I spent two months shooting without reviewing my images so I wouldn’t waste my limited batteries. The temperatures were as low as -40 degrees, and we were living out of tents the entire time. Besides the difficulties presented by the weather, we had to run alongside the dogsleds the whole time, so it was physically very demanding.”
What’s the latest addition to the bag?
“The latest addition to my kit is probably the DJI phantom drone. I didn’t want to get stuck behind the trend like I did when I didn’t buy a GoPro right away. It’s given me the ability to shoot some pretty incredible images from really dramatic perspectives, and for now they are unique.”
How often do you use it?
“I only use the drone when it’s clearly the only option. I believe that it’s the photographers job to put themselves in a unique position, no matter how hard it is. I have found though, that some angles are impossible without it. On a recent shoot in Moab, it was the only way I could shoot a group of standup paddle boarders in a rapid, and the drone allowed me to follow them for 4 miles while I moved down a nearby road.”
How’s the tamrac bag performing?
“The tamrac camera bag is a huge step up from the camera bags of old. The foam is denser and lighter, so the bag is more streamlined, and its solid, so I don’t mind taking it into rough scenarios. I haven’t found an outdoor bag company that I’m happy with yet, so when I really need a bag that functions well in the outdoors, I take my backpacking or hiking bag, but use the tamrac gear pouches to protect my camera equipment. It’s a great system, and it doesn’t require a compromise.”
Is there a special story behind the surfboard?
“There’s no special story behind the board, it’s more of a mindset. I photograph adventures, and as the photographer often times I get stuck behind the camera while everybody else is having fun. The board just means that when I go on a shoot, I don’t forget to join in the fun once in a while.“
Ben’s full gear list:
Camera Image
•KNEKT dome port and trigger
•SKB cases
•Underwater housing
•tamrac camera pouches
•Blackrapid R-Sport strap
•iPhone
•40mm fxed Canon lens
•5D Mark II
•5D Mark III
•Peak Design Camera quick connector
•Go Pro
•Canon 100-400mm
•tamrac bag
•Zeiss 24 MM lens
•Canon 24-70mm
•Canon flashes
•Canon 16-35
•Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod
Gear Image
•Surfboard
•Bluesmiths hydrophobic waterwear
•DJI Phantom 3 Pro Drone
•Riffe freediving fins
•Outdoor Research puffy jacket
•Tamrac gear pouches
•SKB cases
•Zeal goggles and glasses
•KNEKT dome port and trigger
•Ice Axes, screws, and crampons
•Goal Zero power supply
•Black Diamond climbing protection
•Climbing rope
For examples of Ben’s work, visit his website or head to Instagram.
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Ben Horton: What's in the bag?
Los Angeles based photographer Ben Horton says he started his career by taking photographs of places where other people simply couldn't go. In our latest ‘What’s in the bag?’ feature, we take a look at what he takes with him.

© Ben Horton