HOW THE SHOT WAS DONE: GRAVEL ACTION SHOT WITH TRAIL BUTTER
I wanted this shot to feel real and not staged or overly polished - just the kind of moment that actually happens on a ride. Reaching into a frame bag for a snack is something every rider does, so the goal was to capture that action in a way brands could use in their marketing.
Here’s how the shot came together.
THE CONCEPT
The idea was simple: a tight, dynamic photo showing a hand grabbing a Trail Butter pack from a bike bag while rolling.
I wasn’t going for a static “product placed in bag” shot. I wanted motion and the feeling of being on the trail. Something that communicates function and use, not just appearance.
This kind of imagery is what I’m aiming to create more of for brands - product moments that are believable.
THE LOCATION
I used a local trail that I know well and can safely ride multiple times. That was important, because this wasn’t a one-pass setup. I rode the same short downhill section repeatedly until I got the framing, timing, and motion blur dialed in.
Knowing the trail let me focus on the shot.
CAMERA MOUNT SETUP
The camera was a Sony ZV-1 mounted directly to the bike using a SmallRig arm and clamp.
To make the camera mount stable:
I filled a water bottle with foam
Inserted a wood dowel inside (and let it dry over night)
Clamped a SmallRig arm to the dowel
Angled the arm so the lens sat just beside the frame bag
TRIGGERING THE SHOT
Since I was riding downhill, I couldn’t physically press the shutter on the camera.
Instead, I used a wireless remote in my left hand. Each pass down the trail, I would:
Ride into the trail
Reach for the bag naturally
Trigger the shutter at the moment of the grab
It took several runs to get the timing right so the hand and product looked right in the composition.
DIALING IN THE EFFECT
One of the key goals was subtle motion blur in the background while keeping the hand and product readable.
This wasn’t a “set it once and done” shot. I rode the section many times, reviewing between runs and making small adjustments. After a few test passes, I settled on a balance that kept the hand sharp enough while allowing the trail and background to streak slightly.
That small amount of blur is what makes the image feel alive instead of frozen.
WHY IT MATTERS
For brands, this kind of image communicates something different than a studio shot. It’s the difference between showing a product and showing how it actually fits into a rider’s experience.
That’s the direction I’m continuing to push my work - setups that are spontaneous and believable.
The shot!
