Behind the Lens, On the Trail: A Conversation with Filmmaker & ADV Rider AnneMarie Hennes
AnneMarie watercrossing in Texas Hill Country BDR-X
One of my favorite parts of any motorcycle adventure is turning memories into a film to share with both participants and the broader riding community. I’ve done this for years, but winning the 2024 BDR Keep It 100 Film Festival People’s Choice Award pushed me to improve my (very) amateur skills.
This season, the SheADV team mentioned a woman filmmaker had joined the last two BDR trips. I jumped at the chance to connect. Inna Thorn (Executive Director of BDR and SheADV Leadership Team member) put me in touch with AnneMarie Hennes of Adventure Scout Media. She graciously hopped on a Zoom call the next day. Below are highlights and takeaways for women who ride, film, and lead.
First in the Room—and Staying There
AnneMarie Hennes herself
AnneMarie’s path into off-road motorcycling began in the mountain bike world. In her 20s, a downhill racer, she took up a coworker’s invitation to ride dirt bikes and discovered a lifelong love of two wheels. Her filmmaking career took off just as fast. After teaching herself to shoot and edit, she joined GoPro’s media department, becoming the first woman on the team and honing her skills during high-pressure Supercross weekends with 24–48-hour edits.
“I was often the only woman, especially in action sports. People tried to push me into producing because that’s ‘what women do,’ but I knew I was both organized and creative, like a swiss army knife. I pushed back and served as a creative producer and creative director in my final role at GoPro.”
Her story is a study in showing up, speaking up, and leveling up: skills every woman rider and creator knows by heart.
After six years at GoPro, AnneMarie launched Adventure Scout Media. She reached out to Backcountry Discovery Routes with a simple proposition: “I already film adventure sports and ride motorcycles; I think I’d be a great fit.” BDR agreed.
Her first trip came with a trifecta of challenges including a new client, new bike, and new camera system, all on Day One.
“I rode a Harley-Davidson Pan America off-road, which is bigger than what I trail-ride at home, and switched from my usual Sony to a Fuji camera to match the director’s kit. Nerves are normal. You acknowledge them, and you do the job.”
This mindset of capability, composure, craft is exactly what women entering male-dominated spaces need.
AnneMarie with Pan America
Packing Like a Pro: Safety First, Then Story
Whether on assignment or riding solo, AnneMarie prioritizes safety. Riding alone often means no cell service and no quick rescue, so she plans for self-sufficiency: a reliable way to communicate, a few compact tools, and enough emergency gear to turn a setback into a story rather than a crisis.
From there, she keeps her camera kit lightweight and fast to deploy. On BDR shoots, every ounce matters, so she favors agility: a camera she can reach without dismounting, batteries she can swap with gloves on, and audio that captures mood and meaning.
Essentials:
Garmin inReach for emergencies
Compact tools + emergency bivvy
Camera: one body + two lenses, drone, handheld setups, helmet GoPros with small mics
“BDR Texas, we carried all our own gear. Another trip had a support truck. Either way, lightweight wins.”
AnneMarie filming
Tips for Women Filmmakers
Lead with authenticity: “Don’t make what you think others want to see. Make the film you need to make.”
Talk to the camera: Vlog context in the moment. Say what you see, feel, and decide. Doubles as a diary and simplifies editing.
Mic up: Helmet-mounted GoPro + small mic = usable, emotional audio. Batteries are worth the hassle.
When in doubt, roll: Capture the moment even if it seems embarrassing.
Design for the field: Keep kits fast-access with backpack/fanny-pack combos. In wet or cold regions, dry bags and glove-friendly setups are essential.
Adventure Highlights
Iceland tops AnneMarie’s most memorable list: glaciers, volcanoes, black sand, and rugged terrain all in a single day. “You’re riding on terrain you’ll never find anywhere else. It’s exotic and unique.”
Laos is another standout, where AnneMarie visited three times as a photographer and videographer, navigating ever-changing tracks and guides making their own paths.
Her bucket list includes Baja (a shared goal!), Costa Rica, Argentina, and even an enduro tour in South Africa. Every destination is a chance to combine filmmaking with discovering new landscapes on two wheels.
What’s in Her Garage
Harley Davidson Low Rider / FXDL (street)
KTM 250 XEW (two-stroke trail)
Husqvarna 501 (dual-sport, single-track-friendly)
Empowerment in the Wild
Riding with rock wall in backdrop
Being the only woman in a media pit or the only woman rider on a production means cramped workspaces or dismissive assumptions. AnneMarie’s answer: competence and clarity.
“You can both organize and create. You can both ride and direct. Claim the full range of your skills.”
For every woman pressing “Record” on her first trip—or pressing “Export” on a festival submission—your voice belongs here. Women are shaping the stories of adventure riding, both on screen and in the saddle.
Thanks to AnneMarie Hennes (Adventure Scout Media), BDR, and SheADV for sharing experiences and building community.