Behind the Lens and On the Trail: An Interview with Faaiq Ebrahim Khan

For professional wildlife, and landscape photographer Faaiq Ebrahim Khan, a backpack is more than just a bag—it is a mobile production studio and a survival pod rolled into one.

Balancing the heavy, fragile demands of camera gear with the strict weight limits of multi-day trekking is an art form.

With Spring finally here, the warmer weather is calling us back to the trails where hiking brings many of us, pure joy.

We sat down with Faaiq to discuss his philosophy on gear, the clothing choices that keep him safe in the wild, and how he packs for the unpredictable outdoors.
 

This was at the top of Bannerman Pass (3082m above sea level). My first time climbing a mountain pass in the Drakensberg. It was steep and narrow, loads of scrambling up over rocks, with ice and snow higher toward the top.

Q: As a wildlife and landscape photographer, your gear needs are very unique. How do you balance heavy camera equipment with backpacking gear?

Faaiq: It's always a balancing act. On any given trek, my camera gear alone weighs about 2.2 kgs. That includes my Sony A9 body, a mix of versatile glass like the Tamron 20-200mm and Sony 16-35mm for astro, and a sturdy Gorillapod. I also carry an action cam for B-roll and BTS. Because my "media house" takes up so much weight, the rest of my inventory has to be incredibly intentional.

About halfway up Mnweni pass. My backpack weighs 15kg's, it's late afternoon and we've been hiking since 07:30. The air is getting thinner. I'm hiking slowly but the views and the prospect of drinking hot chocolate (later that evening) are keeping me going.

My backpack and tent come in at 3.32 kg, and my sleep system is 1.4 kg. I use lightweight items like the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 tent and a goose down sleeping bag (with a -4 degree celcius comfort rating) to keep the weight down. Every gram I save on camp gear is a gram I can allocate to a lens that might capture a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Earlier this year. That's me standing at the edge of a cliff at the "Amphitheatre". There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity. Behind me is the top of Tugela Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world. This is the Northernmost part of the Drakensberg. I have a fleece balaclava on since it was quite cold and the crazy wind and rain had just stopped. I had to get out of my tent quickly to get a pic of the waterfall in the morning light just before we started our hike back down.

Q: Let’s talk about clothing. Nature can be harsh on a photographer waiting for the perfect light. What is your go-to choice for pants?

Faaiq: I always prefer long pants over shorts on the trail. When you are scrambling over sharp rocks or pushing through thorny brambles to get the right angle for a shot, shorts leave you completely exposed. Pants guard your shins and calves against those nasty scrapes and cuts.

Hiking the Bell Traverse in the Cathedral Peak area of the Drakensberg

I look for lightweight, quick-dry materials—specifically ripstop nylon or fabric with a four-way stretch. If I have to do a river crossing, they dry out in no time. Plus, that extra stretch is a lifesaver for comfort during awkward climbs and steep scrambles.

Crossing a river in the Mnweni area. I had my boots attached to a carabiner and I used my crocs as water shoes and rolled up my pants. They're made of quick dry material. I also like using trekking poles to help with balance and rhythm while hiking, especially during river crossings. 

Q: What about your upper body? How do you protect yourself from the sun during long days of waiting in the open?

Faaiq: While a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt with vents is a good option, my personal favourite is a breathable sunhoodie. I choose ones made from synthetic, ventilated, quick-dry material. The absolute best part is the hood—it fits perfectly right over my hiking cap, giving me total neck and ear protection without a fuss.

Speaking of hats, a lot of people love wide-brim hats, but they can be a nightmare if your backpack is packed high above your shoulders like my Gregory Zulu 55. The back of the brim constantly bumps against the top of the pack, which drives me crazy. A standard cap paired with a sunhoodie avoids that problem entirely.

Q: Winter hikes can be brutal. How do you approach layering when the temperature drops?

Faaiq: Layering is everything. It starts with the base layer against your skin to wick away sweat. I use a synthetic base layer and a lightweight waffle-fleece mid-layer. They are incredible for moisture control and heat retention. High-end materials like Alpha can get quite expensive.

Another fantastic base layer option is merino wool. It is naturally warm and has amazing odour control for multi-day trips. The downside is that pure merino isn't the most durable fabric and it costs a premium, so I often look for hybrid synthetic-merino blends to get the best of both worlds.

Above that, I use an insulation layer—specifically a lightweight puffer jacket that packs down into nothing. I currently use a First Ascent 850 fill-power down jacket. Down is incredibly warm for its weight, but it loses its power if it gets wet. While newer synthetic down handles water much better nowadays, you still need a proper outer shell.

On the escarpment at the top of the Mnweni and Rockeries pass. My brother-in-law Jameel and I were boiling some water for tea after a cold night tenting on the escarpment. I had my closed-cell foam sit pad to help shield my stove from the wind.

Q: What do you look for in a weather-proof outer shell?

Faaiq: A high-quality, light weight, seam sealed rain jacket with high hydrostatic head is essential. I use a Kway Mercury shell. You want something that acts as a strong windbreaker but still keep you dry in heavy down pours offering ventilation, either through the fabric itself or via pit-zips so you don't overheat while moving.

Some hikers prefer ponchos because they can throw them over both themselves and their backpack. But in my experience, ponchos lack durability and turn into a literal parachute the moment the mountain wind picks up.

Q: After a grueling day of hiking and shooting, what do you change into at camp?

Faaiq: Camp comfort is sacred! Once the sun goes down, I switch into Decathlon fleece pants for pure warmth. For my top, I switch to a cotton long-sleeved t-shirt. While synthetic tops are great for hiking, they tend to irritate my skin when I am trying to sleep. Cotton feels much softer and more relaxing.
I also pack Mozzas—traditional over-the-calf leather socks. They keep my feet beautifully warm around the camp and make it incredibly easy to perform wudhu (ablution) without freezing.

Q: Any final words of wisdom for aspiring wilderness photographers and hiking novices looking at their gear piles?
Faaiq: Remember that gear is entirely a personal choice. There is no absolute right or wrong way to do this. My list is customized to exactly what I need to stay safe, dry, and creative out in the wild. Take the time to learn what your body—and your camera—needs, and build your kit from there.

PS. Check my gear list to see what clothing I use: My Gear

Notes from the Editor: Waseema Reyazuddin: Hiking has always brought me absolute joy. Dressing for it however, can be tricky especially when your wardrobe is geared towards urban living. Layering is the solution to many wardrobe woes including hiking as Faaiq has so appropriately put it." Layering is everything!" so be sure to check out for our seperates or get yours custom made.

We sincerely thank Faaiq for sharing his insight and expertise, including those gained through experience and sheer determination. Far as our philosophy "Not everything. Just right" Faaiq is intentional regarding his gear and has it down to a Science to suit his own creative and adventurorus needs. If you'd like to learn more: follow @faaiqk on Instagram