In the remote corners of the world, where snow falls sideways, where the sea heaves beneath an open
zodiac, and the air rings with the cries of seabirds, I’ve built my career frame by frame. Wildlife
photography is not a passive pursuit. It’s physical, patient, relentless and demands a constant readiness
for the unrepeatable.

To capture these stories, the way I move through a place matters just as much as what I see.
Every item I carry must serve a purpose. And none more so than the bag that holds it all.

For years, that bag has been the Shimoda Action X40 V2 in Army Green. From Antarctica to the Arctic,
across the wild, wind-bent Subantarctic islands of New Zealand, to the rugged seabird colonies of the
British Isles and the vast, sunburnt plains of Africa, it has travelled with me through salt, snow, wind, and
time. A constant. A companion. A piece of kit I trust without question.

With this one bag on my back, I’ve weathered katabatic winds, icy ridgelines, sea spray and storms. It has
seen it all crusted in frost, soaked in saltwater, splattered with guano and it keeps going. At the heart of my photographic practice is an enduring commitment to the natural world, its intricacies, its
rhythms, and the quiet relationships that shape life in the wild. My career has followed no conventional
path; it has been built in the field, shaped by instinct, and refined through years of watching, listening, and
learning how to disappear into a landscape.

My work has been awarded in Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Bird Photographer of the Year,
published in WWF and National Geographic, and supported through partnerships with Nikon and the
RSPB. But the essence of what I do lies far beyond recognition or accolade. It lies in connection, creating
images that are both scientifically informed and artistically profound.

The Shimoda Action X40 V2 is the first camera bag I’ve used that truly understands the demands of this
kind of work. It’s not just designed for professional photographers, it’s built for those of us who spend our
days in wind-lashed places, in snow, in silence, in motion.

Its comfort struck me immediately. As a woman in a physically demanding field, finding a pack that
supports my frame without compromise has always been difficult. Shimoda’s female-specific shoulder
straps and adjustable harness system mean I can carry the full weight of my kit for hours up icy inclines,
through tangled coastal undergrowth, or across the rolling deck of a ship without strain.

Inside, it holds everything I need to tell a story: my Nikon Z9, a range of lenses from wide-angle to long,
spare batteries, memory cards, a drone, field notes, waterproof layers, and always, a few quiet comforts.
The modular core units allow me to reconfigure the interior based on the demands of a shoot, and the
thoughtful design ensures everything has its place.

What I value most, though, is how intuitive it feels in the field. Every pocket is exactly where I need it to
be. I can reach for a lens cloth, a spare battery, or a polariser instinctively without hesitation, without
interrupting my focus. The weather-resistant fabric and rugged construction give me the confidence to
keep moving, whatever the elements throw my way.

This bag has become more than just a tool. It’s a companion, present in the quiet predawn hours as I wait
for light, resting beside me on the deck of a ship rolling through Antarctic swell, slung over my back as I
search for higher ground and a better view.

In those moments, when the work asks everything of me, this bag allows me to remain fully present. It
carries not only my equipment, but the space I need to think, to respond, to create. It does what all great
tools do: it disappears. And in doing so, it lets the work take centre stage.

Wildlife photography is a practice of precision and patience, but also of deep emotional attention. It asks
us to listen more than we speak. To observe with care. To honour the subject. The Shimoda Action X40
V2 has allowed me to do that in some of the world’s most remote and demanding environments safely,
comfortably, and without hesitation. It has carried more than just gear. It has carried trust. And it has
helped me carry the stories I set out to tell.

If this glimpse into my fieldwork and creative process has resonated with you, I invite you to explore more
of my world through The Art of Wildlife Photography—a 55-page eBook designed not to instruct, but to
inspire.

Rather than offering a technical checklist or gear-led tutorial, this guide is an invitation to reimagine how
we see. Blending artistic insight with field-earned experience, it explores how storytelling, emotion, and
ecological connection can shape work that is both visually powerful and deeply meaningful.

Written for photographers seeking creative depth and nature-lovers eager to tell more honest, poetic
stories, this book shares my personal approach—from signature style and subtle fieldcraft, to the
philosophy that underpins every frame I make.

Inside, you’ll find: – Reflections on style, vision, and visual storytelling – The emotional role of light, shape, and texture – Case studies from some of the world’s most remote seabird colonies – Creative practices to elevate both your images and your experience in the field.

Whether you're just beginning, or seeking to evolve your photographic voice, this book is a companion for
those drawn to the quiet art of seeing with intention.

You can find the eBook, along with details about my portfolio, upcoming workshops, and mentoring
opportunities, at: www.rachelbigsby.com

I hope it offers the same sense of clarity and connection I search for in every image.

Shop the Action X series here!

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