Hipcamp Field Scouts are more than just photographers. They’re storytellers, outdoors-lovers, camping aficionados, and often the first Hipcamp representative a host will come in contact with. They provide essential feedback to hosts who are new to camping, field-testing their campsites and making thoughtful suggestions for improvement where requested. For that reason, we are eternally grateful for how respectful and professional our Field Scouts are when visiting new properties. Check out our Photography Guide: How to Field Scout on Hipcamp for more information and application details, and read our feature of Field Scout, Vanessa Lamb below.

I love photography. I feel its importance with every shot I take, learning more each time I pick up my camera. There is something so magical about preserving a moment in time forever, about expressing the way I feel through an image, about sharing a landscape with someone who’s never seen it. I love how open and vast photography can be.

I snapped this a couple of weeks ago. It was taken just after a desert rain storm, during sunset, and as a rainbow popped up over our camp host’s beautiful horse. What is not to love? At Copper Mountain Ranch, CA.

Photographer Breakdown

FIELD SCOUT SINCE: Summer 2016

COMPLETED FIELD SCOUT TRIPS TO DATE: 5

WHERE SHE SHOOTS: Southern California

WHAT’S IN HER BAG: For Hipcamp I use my Canon 5D dslr, for personal use I love my Hasselblad and Canon AE-1. I love to have a physical map of the destination and some way to listen to or play music. My yoga mat and a pair of hiking boots. Intentions! I am never without a notebook, full of things I want to do in the area I’m exploring.

HER STYLE: Harmonious blend of nature, light, and humans.

PHOTO HACK: Always shoot in RAW!

VANESSA’S INSPIRATION:

• @paulnicklen
• @kevinruss
• My mom

Vanessa’s Field Scout Trip Highlights

Lupine Loop Car Camping

Locavore U Pick and Camp, California

This was my first Field Scout assignment in Northern California at Locavore U Pick And Camp. There were three WWOOFers on the ranch and we got along pretty quickly. We ended up going into town together and getting tacos, then ended the night back at the ranch’s club house drinking tequila, playing card games, sharing stories, and playing music under the stars. It was such an unexpected, beautiful night!

I love using my tripod for field scouting because it gives me the opportunity to actually be in the photo.

Copper Mountain Ranch, CA

Copper Mountain Ranch, California

Bunker Bay and River View

Mare Island Preserve, California

Cowboy Cabin

Retreat to the country and ride, California

Tselkabikiid Yellow Hogan

Yellow Hogan, New Mexico

See more of Vanessa’s work on her Hipcamp profile.