Focus on the Trail - The Beginner’s Guide to Trail Running Photography

Focus on the Trail is the first book dedicated to helping trail runners improve their photography.

Photography for Trail Runners, Mountain Explorers, and Nature Lovers

When you’re deep in the mountains, on ridgelines, or winding through forest singletrack, there’s often a moment that takes your breath away and you instinctively reach for your camera or phone. This book is for that moment. Focus on the Trail is a photography guide crafted for trail runners, hikers, ultra runners, and outdoor lovers who want to slow down and capture the wild beauty around them.

Whether you use a smartphone, a compact camera, or a mirrorless setup, this book will help you develop your eye, elevate your shots, and tell better stories of your time on the trail without carrying extra weight or losing momentum.

• Easy techniques for taking impactful outdoor photos without needing expensive gear
• Real-world examples shot during ultramarathons, long hikes, and mountain runs
• Tips for composition, lighting, and timing that apply to fast-moving outdoor conditions
• How to photograph wildlife, weather, and trail textures
• Ways to develop your unique style while staying connected to the trail
• Ideas for self-portraits and documenting your journey
• Thoughts on ethics and storytelling, photographing nature with care and purpose

This book is for people who move through landscapes and want to capture more than just summit selfies. It’s for:

• Trail runners
• Fell runners
• Hikers
• Ultra marathoners
• Nature photographers
• Outdoor content creators
• Ecologically minded adventurers

Just practical, inspiring guidance rooted in love for the trail.

In a world of fast-paced content and filters, Focus on the Trail invites you to pause, notice, see more and ultimately Focus on the Trail. Created by a filmmaker with over a decade of experience in trail running media, this book blends storytelling, instruction, and respect for nature into something truly different.

Martin Larsen-Jones is a documentary filmmaker and photographer behind Kelp and Fern, creating powerful stories about trail running, endurance, and the natural world. Through immersive films and environmental projects, he aims to reconnect people with the landscapes they move through and protect the trails we love.