Hi there! I’m Karen Hutton.
I’m a professional photographer, mixed-media artist, Fujifilm Ambassador, Kelbyone instructor, author, and speaker.
I’ve been photographing my entire life.
I’d always planned on being a professional photographer and went to school for it back in the seventies. Darkroom chemicals made me super sick though, which altered the plan a bit.
As a result, I was forced to refer to my “before I’m too old, I want to…” list earlier than expected, but went on to excel in sports and the performing arts. I photographed everything along the way but just couldn’t develop the film myself – which was a bit like losing an arm.
After moving to the Sierra Nevada mountains of Lake Tahoe, digital finally came of age and I was back in the game. It was like getting a piece of my soul back.
Along the way, I became known for the landscape work I did in “my mountains”, as I lovingly call them.
I also love travel and above all, storytelling.
I’m blessed and eternally grateful that my path has taken me to amazing places in the world.
This has inspired my own photography and whimsical mixed-media art, as well as my desire to share with others how to find their artistic voice in photography.
In 2015, when my DSLR camera bag became so heavy that I was toppling over, I switched to mirrorless. I tried every system I could find until I found Fujifilm.
The entire system was exactly what I’d been searching for and I never looked back. Along the way, I became a professional Fujifilm Ambassador.
I have to say that I’d use the gear no matter what, though; I’m a huge fan of the Fujifilm platform.
I use both the Fujifilm X-series and GFX systems. They are my artistic paintbrushes for about a thousand reasons, the biggest being that they have dramatically raised the bar on my creative thinking and possibilities.
Fujifilm’s colors, dynamic range, tones, and micro-contrasts—along with their incredible lenses—all align with my sensibilities and instincts. Physically, the gear’s ergonomics and the customizable button system are huge for me since I hate menu-diving.
Plus, weather-sealing is a must, since I definitely get out in the elements.
Besides all that, I love how easy it is to switch from X to GFX systems. Fujifilm really does a fabulous job of making sure the layouts are both similar and intuitive.
I want to focus my attention on creativity and vision, not on fussing with my gear. It’s basically the dream setup that I had envisioned in my mind for years.
As of this writing, my lineup includes:
CAMERAS:Fujifilm GFX 100SFujifilm X-T5Fujifilm X-H2
LENSES:Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR LensFujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR LensFujifilm GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM WR LensFujifilm GF 120mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Macro
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WRFujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WRFujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WRFujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR MacroFujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
For cards and backup support I use OWC Memory Cards and backup drives, specifically the Atlas Ultra Cf Express CD and Atlas Ultra Cf Express SD cards – and the OWC Atlas Dual SD Card Reader plus CF Express card reader.
See, I simul-shoot RAW + JPG so downloading and backing up images from three different cameras used to mean a ridiculous amount of download and file transfer time at the end of each day.
This Atlas setup has basically revolutionized my workflow since I can download both card formats simultaneously or individually in about half the time I used to.
While that’s great at home, it becomes a really big deal when I’m traveling and working on projects.
The level of speed this combo offers has made me way more organized (no small feat) – with time left to actually enjoy a meal, plan the next day, do some creative dreaming – and get some rest.
I always back up images on three different devices and use the Envoy Pro Electron SSD drive as part of that equation. It’s blazingly fast, solid, and compact—another contribution to a quicker, smoother workflow.
I use the Envoy Pro Mini to transport files between my Apple iPad Pro and computer, which I do all the time for my mixed-media artwork.
It literally cuts the time of that process in half, which is worth its weight in gold.
Really Right Stuff is my absolute fave when it comes to tripods and camera support. It’s a bit of an investment… but I swear, they’re the only tripods I’ll ever need.
I’ve used my TVC-14 Tripod with BH-40 Ballhead for years, which has proven its worth a hundred times over in about a thousand ways.
I use RRS L-brackets on most of my cameras because they always work, are ergonomically great, don’t loosen up, and last forever.
But since they don’t make one for the Fujifilm X-H2, I opted for a 3-Legged Thing Ellie Short Universal L-Bracket there – which I really like.
I carry my camera gear in a combination of bags, depending on the task at hand.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is for road trips and longer travel. I often work out of my truck on road trips – and it’s perfect for that.
For quick grabs on said road trips – I set up my Peak Design Tote within easy reach. I can grab whichever unit I need quickly – and I don’t have to worry about gear rolling around the vehicle on turns or in quick stops.
I carry 20L backpacks for day hikes and short trips. Depending on the weight and functionality needed, I use either my trusty old FStop Guru Camera Backpack… or a more featherweight 20L backpack made just for backpacking.
I got mine in Italy, but I’ve seen similar packs at REI and other outdoor stores.
In those, I’ll typically cushion my gear with Domke Protective Wraps, plus whatever clothing layers I’m carrying that day. It’s the lightest setup I’ve come up with yet – and for longer hikes/hot weather, I love it.
Both of these 20L packs have a solid, wide waistband, which helps disperse weight around nicely, which I need for both my back and shoulders.
I’m a huge fan of LucrOit Filters and Holders. The filters themselves are gorgeous, and the holders are the easiest to use I’ve ever found.
Early on, I resisted using filters because I hate messing about with gear—it’s distracting and ruins my creative mojo. But LucrOit’s System is so quick and easy that I can stay in the zone while I make those gorgeous long exposures. That shifted the game for me, and I never looked back.
I keep all my filters in MindShift filter holders.
I’ve been an Apple person for a long time and probably always will be. I currently own an Apple MacBook Pro 15” and an Apple iPad Pro 12”.
That said, I also had to build a custom Windows tower with 24 TB internal raid storage and mega power and speed for the beast-sized files I work with. Apple couldn’t cut it beyond a certain point, sadly.
I also use a WACOM CINTIQ PRO 24″ for all the hand-detail work I do – and a separate 27″ monitor.
When I need a headlamp – it’s Petzl. I also carry one of those small, tactical flashlights at all times.
So there ya go – my basic gear setup for success.
Thanks for stopping by!
I hope this helps in your gear quest—or at least was a diverting read. Good luck finding just the right setup to float your boat for years to come.
Above all, have fun out there. Life is short – and there is AWE at every turn!
Website | Instagram
2019
Hi there! I’m Karen Hutton, a photographer, Voice, and Purveyor of Awesomeness. I’ve been photographing my entire life.
I’d always planned on being a professional photographer, so I went to school with that goal in mind back in the seventies.
Darkroom chemicals made me super sick though, which altered the plan a bit. I was forced to move down the “Before I’m too old, I want to…” list earlier than expected, but went on to excel in sports and the performing arts.
I photographed everything along the way, but I couldn’t develop the film myself—which was a bit like losing an arm.
After moving to the Sierra Nevada mountains of Lake Tahoe, digital finally came of age and I was back in the game. It was like getting a piece of my soul back.
Along the way, I became known for the landscape work I did in “my mountains”, as I lovingly call them.
I also love travel and above all, storytelling. I’m blessed and eternally grateful that my path has taken me to amazing places in the world, both for my own photography and for teaching people how to find their artistic voice.
In 2015, when my camera bag became so heavy that I was toppling over, I switched to mirrorless. I tried every system I could find until I found Fujifilm. I never looked back. Along the way, I became a Fujifilm Ambassador, but I have to say that I’d use the gear no matter what. I’m a huge fan.
My cameras tend to change, but at the moment I use a Fujifilm X-T3 and the X-H1. They’re both great. I sometimes work with the medium-format GFX-50S too, which is absolutely amazing.
I really like how easy it is to switch from one camera to the next without feeling like you’re having to learn a new system. Fujifilm really does a fabulous job of making sure the layouts are both similar and intuitive.
I love seeing the world through different perspectives and am always challenging myself to see even the most usual stuff in new ways. Doing so keeps me fresh – and kicks me out of artistic ruts.
It’s kind of funny that I’m talking about gear since I’m known for purposefully NOT talking about it. I think way too much focus is placed on “what gear is best”, in lieu of making an effort to understand what you actually want it to do for you.
That was why I began my “The Artist’s Voice” teachings and workshops/retreats… to help people learn a different process for making photographs that matter. Seeing photographically, telling stories, knowing what you want to say… all of these things determine what kind of gear is going to help.
As for me… I chose Fujifilm because of the particular ways it helps me fulfill my vision. I call it my “creative paintbrush” because it’s helped me raise the bar on artistic possibilities.
Part of that is the ergonomics and the customizable button system on the body – (I hate menu-diving). The image quality is another biggie; the colors, dynamic range, tones, and micro-contrasts made me gasp when I first saw them. They were what I’d been searching for!
Beyond that – I have to use weather-sealed equipment, because in my fine art landscape and travel photography, I definitely get out in the elements.
You’ll see that I’ve got both telephoto and prime lenses in my kit. I use them each in different ways (depending upon the situation), to either expand or confine my vision, as I constantly seek new and unusual ways to “see different.” I’m always trying to stay fresh and break my own patterns.
In the photo, you’ll see the current cadre that helps me in that quest. They are:
Fujifilm XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WRFujifilm XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WRFujifilm XF10-24mm f/4 R OISFujifilm XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WRFujifilm XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR MacroFujifilm XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WRFujifilm XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WRFujifilm XF 55-200mm f3.5-f4.8 R LM OISFujifilm XF 23mm f1.4 RFujifilm XF 50mm f2 R WR
Camera Support
Really Right Stuff is my absolute fave when it comes to tripods and camera support. It’s a bit of an investment… but I swear, it’s the only tripod I’ll ever need. I’ve used mine for years and they’ve proven their worth a hundred times over in a thousand ways.
What I Carry It In
I carry my camera gear in Peak Design bags. Love them. I use the Everyday Backpack 20L for day hikes and short travel and the Travel Backpack 45L for road trips and longer travel.
Related: Peak Design Everyday Backpack Review | Peak Design Travel Backpack Review
I’ve gone through so many totes, bags, and packs looking for the right system that I swear I could open a store! But for my needs, Peak Design nailed it. Winning!
The Filters I See Through
I’m also a huge fan of LucrOit Filters and holders. The filters themselves are gorgeous, and the holders are the easiest to use I’ve ever found.
I resisted using filters for the longest time, because I hate messing about with gear – it’s distracting and ruins my creative mojo! But LucrOit’s system is so quick and easy, I can stay in the zone while I make those gorgeous long exposures. That shifted the game for me and I never looked back.
I keep all my filters in MindShift filter holders.
Computers ’n such
I’m an Apple girl: iMac, MacBook Pro 2017, MacBook Air, iPad Pro.
Don’t Forget To Backup!
I use Seagate Backup Plus Slim external hard drives both at home and when I travel. Multiple backups are always key!
Seeing In the Dark
When I need a headlamp – it’s Petzl.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope this sheds some light on the gear quest—or at least was a diverting read. Good luck in your quest to find just the right camera setup to set your heart free!
Above all, have fun and stay awesome. 😉
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