Photographers on the road: Leslie Kehmeier

Shooting is a verb in common between two passions that often live in symbiosis within us, cyclists more or less adventurers. Shoot, photograph, shoot to accelerate, increase the number of rides. Photography and cycling, two valid reasons to leave the house, discover new territories, new shadows and new lights to travel with the imagination through the eyepiece of the camera and with the body through the piston on the pedals.

Leslie tells us which is her travel gear:

The pleasure in shooting is leading many of us to rediscover the use of the camera. An object that for years has been considered as “modern” in favor of the true modern smartphone and the legendary compact cameras with mega zoom. Traveling in bikepacking, perhaps on a comfortable gravel bike, there is also room for a more robust reflex camera or perhaps an innovative mirrorless with which to boast the title of true travel photographer!

“At a minimum, I usually roll with a Sony a7riii and a 70-200mm f/2.8, with a wide-angle lens like a 24-70mm or 16-35mm. If I can afford the weight and have some downtime on a trip, I’ll also carry a 50mm or 35mm prime for street photography. I often use a Peak Designs clip when I ride with a pack. I also use the Evoc camera hip pack and sling the camera around my torso. I tinker a lot with my setup, always searching for the most comfortable scenario that facilitates quick shooting. Ultimately, I’ve found that having the camera easily accessible is the key to capturing unexpected moments that would be missed otherwise.

The most interesting kit I carried was on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. In addition to my standard set-up, I brought along a Polaroid Impulse with multiple boxes of film. I wanted to do a small project where I could take portraits of people along the route to leave with them. Since space was limited in my bikepacking bags, I had to forgo my heavy down coat to bring it along”

Leslie Kehmeier talks about herself through the photographs of him, through his passion for discovery along his bike trips.

Rider’s Lens: Coffee, Bikes, and Travel with Leslie Kehmeier