Here comes 2015! /  by Glenn Fajota

Hello!

The end of the year is near and if you have been following me on social media, you noticed that I was traveling everywhere from the mountains in California to the beaches in the Caribbean and the rivers of Europe on assignment. 2014 has been the busiest year in my entire career and it hasn't been a smooth road, well nothing is, because if it was easy, it wasn't worth working for. I'm only home a few days of the month and during that time and in between, I have to make time to edit all these shoots all still within deadline. It's very challenging trying to find a balance with my personal life, sleep and running a small business. Often, plane seats and hotel rooms were my offices or even in my tent in the backcountry. The recline feature on the plane and the hotel beds were very tempting but work had to be done first.

As we approach a new calendar year, I use this time to approach a revised, better business plan. Part of the plan is to reflect and correct everything that I missed and improve on it for the upcoming year. Topping this list, is for me to work just as hard BUT work even harder in keeping those relationships around me — Faith, Family, Friends. I've kept them under a blanket when I should have been giving them more of my time because those relationships were the ones who supported me and pushed me to where I am today and I finally realized that. It takes A LOT of patience being around me and working with me and very often, I have disguised their time as if they owed me their time. When in fact I owed them. I owe them. 

Over the next few weeks, you'll see some changes in the website, the Glenn Fajota brand, the social media outlets and most importantly, my time for you. Thank you to my current clients for being patient and understanding as I continue to deliver your photos and videos to you. And to you my future clients, let's go do some work!

Okay enough, I have to get back to these edits! With that said, I'll let you get back to your holiday shopping but one item you must get for your loved ones is the 2015 Calendar, Glenn Fajota Travel Edition, with places I have photographed from around the world. A portion of the proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Fund www.WWF.org

 

http://www.glennfajota.com/store/2015-calendar

 

Your photographer,

Glenn Fajota

HIKING GEAR : Lowepro Photo Sport 30L /  by Glenn Fajota

My main go to bag for the photography in the backwoods is the Lowepro Photo Sport 30L. Carefully packed, this 30L (30 liters) can go a long way with what you can fit in here, comfortably. I have used this pack in all four seasons across the world in the most perfect weather to the most severe inclement weather. The 30L is rated for a day pack but I have used this for 2 and 3 days in the backcountry. 

 

Here are a few reasons why I grab this pack when shooting in the backcountry

- Built in all weather cover (distinguished by “AW” in Lowepro’s naming convention)

- Removable padded camera insert

- 2L water bladder system with ported hole for drinking tube

- External loops for attaching several accessories

- Double bottom straps for a tent, tripod or tarp

- Lightweight!

HIKING GEAR : Sawyer Mini Water Filter /  by Glenn Fajota

When on assignment in the backcountry, my pack is full of all the essentials (shelter, sleep, food). My average pack weight for multi day hikes comes in about 25-30lbs, plus the 10lbs camera gear. With all that weight, that last thing I want to do is add more weight. But I'm still missing the most important thing. Water! 

I hike in with at least 1L of water which will last me half of the day. The goal is to replenish my water supply at the next water source, whether its a trickling stream or lake. To do so, I use the Sawyer Mini Water Filter and the way it works is you fill a compatible water bladder (comes with 1L) or water bottle and you fill it up with unfiltered water. You then screw on the filter (blue tube) and let it pour out. If your water source looks murky or has some debris, chances are your filter might get clogged. With the provided syringe, you can fill that up with clean water and backwash the filter to restore up to 99% of the filter’s flow rate. 

I love it and keep one in each of my three packs. It allows me to hike in without adding several pounds in my pack just for water, when I know I’ll be able to get at the next water source. But of course, with each trip, the route is carefully planned by knowing where I'm camping that night and where my water sources are during the trip.

- Cheap! $25

- Lightweight at just 2oz

- 99% effective at removing Bacteria, Protozoa, E. Coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerea, Salmonella Typhi

- Lasts up to 100,000 gallons

- Can used with most water bottles, bladders or even with the provided straw

www.greenlifeadventuresports.com

 

Evony + Clay Wedding Highlight Trailer /  by Glenn Fajota

I love intimate weddings where the guests revel in festivity. In the mountains of Northern California, hours away from the nearest town, nestled at the bottom of the valley, you’ll find the River Rest Resort. The family owned getaway was the perfect backdrop for Evony and Clay’s family to all get together and spend a weekend laughing, dancing and celebrating with their newly extended family.

 

GEAR : Pelican U160 On Location /  by Glenn Fajota

Check out the Whats In My Bag video http://youtu.be/0fCvuvQ3iMs on what I was able to pack inside this bag. On recent day hikes both for pleasure and work, I took out the Pelican U160 as my main camera case. During these expeditions, we went off trail a lot and I was climbing over deadwood, through the forest, wading through rivers and streams. I mean you name it I trekked it. But with everything secure especially the dividers holding the camera gear snug, I was never thrown off balance with the pack on my back. 

Most of these trips I was carrying two bodies, a couple of lenses, a full set of change of clothes and my food/water for the day and one of our tripods. So you could imagine how much weight I had on my back. But the padded back, waist strap and chest strap helped alleviate all the weight off my shoulders. When we did stop for lunch or breaks, I was able to sit on the bag without crushing the camera gear inside (=

If you’re a photographer or videographer going out for a day hike and you are bringing camera gear that needs the ultimate protection, definitely check out the Pelican U160. 

You can get it here at The Pelican Shop's website : http://tinyurl.com/PelicanU160