camera travel packing list

Ultimate Travel Photography Gear List

One of our most frequently asked questions is “what kind of travel photography gear do you carry with you when you travel?” We always answer this question with big smiles and ‘well, do you have an hour to talk camera gear?’.

We run Divergent Travelers as a professional travel blog and this means we carry large amounts of gear with us everywhere we travel to around the globe.

It might seem obnoxious to the average traveler, but this is our job and we need this equipment to bring you great content from our travels.

As a couple, we tackle content creation as a team. I handle the majority of the photography and David handles the majority of the video filming, creation, and production.

We’ve spent years learning how to use our travel photography gear and are constantly adapting and growing our skill sets to better showcase the world of travel on our site, social channels and for our clients.

This travel photography gear list is not the be-all, end-all of travel camera gear lists. These items are the ones we prefer to use based on our styles, needs and wants when in the field.

When you grow as a content producer, you’ll start to learn the things you prefer to have over others and it takes time to build the kit that is perfect for your needs.

With that said, we love our equipment and can stand behind recommending each piece to anyone that is looking for something new to add to their own kits.

We’re going to break this post down by what we currently have in our camera bags but we’re also going to tell you some of the other equipment we’ve carried with us before as well.

Table of Contents

The following list of equipment is what I am currently carrying in my travel camera bag. It’s taken a long time and a lot of trial and error to get it narrowed down but this current setup meets most of my needs while on the road.

Camera Bags

First off, before I tell you what is IN my gear bag, let’s talk about WHAT gear bag(s) I have. Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with camera bags and despite my best efforts, have yet to find the perfect bag for me.

I am not giving up hope, but so far the search has been in vain. I currently alternate between 2 bags depending on the type of trip and location we are visiting.

• Vanguard Alta Sky 45D Camera Backpack – this is my ‘major’ gear bag. It is designed for camera gear and this thing holds A LOT of camera gear. It has served me well in Europe, Africa, Antarctica, South America, Asia, etc but truth be told the fit isn’t perfect for me. I have a short torso (hence my lifetime woe of finding backpacks that work) so when this bag is loaded with gear, it sits on my lower back strangely. I am able to adjust it in the shoulder straps and hip belt, but alas, still gives me back issues when I spend a day hiking with it loaded down. The upside, is that it is small enough to use as a carry-on, so I exclusively do, and it holds all the gear I need, plus my Macbook Pro.
• Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 Backpack – this is not a camera bag, it’s a hiking backpack but it works fine. It fits me really well and I have converted it into a camera bag by using camera inserts I removed from another bag. The limiting factor here is that I can only carry a small amount of camera gear with me. My camera insert holds 1 spare lens (not my telephoto) and my camera body with a lens attached. If I squeeze things just right I can fit a couple of filters, batteries, charger and my strap in there but it’s a tight fit. It’s great for trips when I won’t need a variety of lenses or accessories.  I also use the hydration slip as a laptop sleeve.

Other bags I use for travel photography and find incredibly useful, depending on the job and destination, include:

• Think Tank Holster 50 V2.0 – I LOVE this holster sling bag for working in the field. Particularly because it has a solid, shaped form that doesn’t collapse AND it fits my camera when a telephoto lens is attached.
• Think Tank Holster 20 V2.0 – This bag is made exactly like the one above, except it houses shorter lenses. I often carry two bodies with me in the field and this is a great way to protect your cameras when doing this. When we were traveling in Antarctica , I used this setup exclusively when we made landings and went on zodiac trips.

Over the years I have tried so, so many camera gear bags. We’ve written about this journey and highlighted many of these bags in the below articles too. If you’re on a similar journey, be sure to read these as well.

• Best Camera Sling Bags: Top 5 + How to Choose the Right One
• Hiking Camera Backpack for Travel: Top 5 + How to Choose
• How to Choose the Best Camera Backpack for Travel

• Sony A7Riii Body – After shooting on Canon for my entire photography career, I decided to make the switch to Sony and moved to a mirrorless system. This was a steep learning curve but now that I’m in the groove I absolutely love the decision. The technology in these bodies is unmatched and I find that this has changed the way I shoot photos, in a good way.
• Canon 6d DSLR Body – I love this full-frame body and the Canon 6D performs very well in low light conditions too. At the beginning of 2020, I switched to a mirrorless Sony system, but I kept this body and a couple of Canon lenses. It is a great backup camera or second body when needed.
• GoPro Hero 9 Black  – we actually take a ton of photos with our GoPro cameras when we travel. They allow you to capture unique perspectives in situations where it isn’t easy or possible to use a DSLR.
• GoPro Hero 8 Black – We love our GoPro cameras. You can’t go wrong with a camera that can be used on any adventure and the GoPro can take on any adventure you throw at it.
• GDome Underwater System – this is the most fun piece of equipment we have right now. Ever wondered how we capture those awesome over/underwater photos ? This little device, paired with our GoPro, does just that.
• iPhone 11 Max – yep, we use our phones to capture moments during our travels too. Mostly, we will use our phone to create stuff for social media and editorial use. The technology on the newer phones is so good that it’s a tool we do not overlook to grab shots on the road.

If you’re looking for advice on what cameras to buy, be sure to take a look at these articles too:

• Best Camera for Safari: How to Choose & What to Avoid
• Top 5 Best Wildlife Photography Cameras
• How to Decide Which GoPro to Buy
• Best Drones for Adventure and Travel Photography from A Real Drone User

My Lens Collection

Lenses are the most important part of your travel photography gear kit. Your photos will be affected by the quality and types of glass you use on your body.

Having top quality lenses should be your first goal in buying the equipment as it will give you the best chances of capturing sharp, quality images.

• Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM Wide Lens – this lens rivals the below for an everyday lens for me. With it being wide, it gives you a bit more room to be creative and capture things, especially in tight spaces. I use this lens a lot.
• Sony 24-105mm f4 G OSS Lens – this is my everyday walk-around lens. I shoot the majority of my photos with this lens. I am not crazy about it being f/4 but the compromise is a bit more zoom length. This is worth it for me as travel photography requires flexibility when walking around.
• Sony 200-600mm f5.6 G OSS Lens – Instead of going with the 100-400 in Sony, as I intended to keep the Canon 100-400 lens, I opted for more reach. This lens is crazy sharp but heavy. I can shoot it handheld, but not all day like I could the 100-400. I use it with a monopod or tripod and exclusively for shooting wildlife.
• Canon 24-105mm L Lens – kept this lens for my Canon system as a backup.
• Canon 100-400mm L Lens – this lens has a fabulous, high-quality telephoto zoom, so I kept it around when I switched systems. I don’t take this lens on every trip, but I’ve used it a lot to photograph wildlife in Africa and Southeast Asia .

If you’re looking for advice on which lenses you should purchase, be sure to check out the following articles:

• Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography (Canon/Nikon/Sony)

Lens Filters

Filters are absolutely necessary for creating great shots. They help you control the light that enters the lens and cut glare in your photos.

There is a massive variety of filters and they come in a wide spectrum of quality and use. When it comes to filters, you get what you pay for. These are the filters I carry and use.

• B+W Circular Polarizer MRC 77mm – if you are only going to carry one filter, then hands down it should be a circular polarizer. This filter will reduce glare and pump up the color in your photos. If you have ever wondered how I get those eye-popping shots of the water, this is the key.
• B+W UV Filter MRC 77mm – I use a UV filter on my lens to mainly protect my expensive glass investment. This filter will also reduce light flare in the lens but I use it for protective reasons.
• ND4 , ND6 & ND8 Neutral Density Filters – I do carry a small collection of ND filters with me but this is not an item I use very often. They come in handy if you want to take long exposures of a waterfall, river or the ocean during daylight hours.

For more advice on choosing filters, be sure to check out these articles too:

• Best Polarizing Filters: Top 5 + How to Choose the Right One
• Best ND Filters: Top 5 + How To Choose the Right One
• Best UV Filter: Top 5 + How To Choose the Right One
• Best GoPro Filters: Top 5 + How to Choose the Right Ones

Photography Accessory Collection

• Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 – this little accessory has been a game-changer for me when it comes to hiking. I used to struggle with where to put my bug camera when I was carrying a pack. With this clip, I can attach my camera to ANY backpack leaving my hands (and hips) free to move. I do not go anywhere without this item.
• Vanguard VEO 2 265CB Carbon Tripod – a tripod is essential to capture sharp night shots, sharp depth of field and long exposures. Traveling with one is a pain but it’s essential to creating good content. This particular tripod is lightweight and packs well. We carry two of them with us on most trips.
• Vanguard VEO 2 AM234 Aluminum Monopod – we also never leave home without this item. It is great for stabilizing the long telephoto lenses and video equipment.
• Sony RM-VPR1 Remote Switch – an essential for timelapse, long exposures in Bulb and HDR. Note, these are not universal, so be sure you do some research on which one your camera needs before purchasing.
• SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Cards – we both carry lots of fast memory and only use extreme pro cards that write at 95mbps. They deliver top quality and write faster than I can click the shutter button.
• Batteries – I probably have no less than 4 spare batteries on me at any given time. Not because I go through the battery, these things actually hold a charge forever and last a long time, but because you never know what could happen. Batteries die, they drop to the ground and shatter, they go missing and they fall apart. Always pack spares.
• Optech Sling Comfort Strap – I adore this strap and it goes a long way for my comfort when I am carrying my camera around all day, every day when traveling. It has a neoprene padding that has never rubbed or chaffed me. It distributes the weight well and I can’t live without it.

For advice on choosing the best camera accessories, be sure to read the following articles:

• Best Camera Accessories for Any Photographer
• Choosing the Best Camera Strap: Know Your Options

Other Camera Gear I’ve Used

• Canon 60d DSLR Body – this body served me well for a long time and was used to capture many of the photos you have seen on our blog and social channels over the past couple of years. I’ve only been shooting on the Canon 6D for a year, so everything prior to that was captured on this bad boy. Great camera. The current model is Canon 90d .
• Canon Remote Switch – this switch works for the Canon 60/90d camera body for long exposures.
• Canon Rebel T2i Body – was my first DSLR body. I outgrew it pretty fast so I didn’t carry it very long but it is a really great starter camera. The current model is the Canon Rebel T7i .
• Opteka 6.5mm Wide Angle-Fisheye Lens – it is crazy fun and I used it a lot in Africa to capture astrophotography. It’s formatted for a crop sensor though, so I won’t be using it on the Canon 6d body.

Travel Video Gear

Now that you’ve seen inside my photography gear bag, we’re going to take a look into David’s camera gear bag. He produces the video that you see on our website and social channels with a wide variety of video gear.

We carry our gear separately and always carry all of it on the plane. Some people check their drones, but I think that is crazy.

Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack – this bag has proved priceless for us. It’s the perfect bag for every piece of equipment that David needs to carry when we travel. It holds EVERYTHING. Drone, camera, accessories, and laptop. It’s too big for me to carry but it works well for him and we highly recommend this bag for the function and quality.

Travel Video Cameras

• DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone – we capture all of our aerial photography and video with this bad boy. It was top of the line when we bought it and it produces exceptional quality.
• Sony FDRAX53/B 4K HD Video Recording Camcorder – This is one of the best professional video cameras on the market. Shots full 4K and is easy to use. It has lots of manual adjustments that allow us to capture some pretty epic video clips.
• GoPro Hero 8 Black – this is the best GoPro yet! We just added this camera to the kit and after using it a couple of times already, we love the quality. Really looking forward to having it in the kit.
• GoPro Karma Grip – the ultimate in stabilization for the GoPro. We recently added this to the video kit and so far we are loving it. Very stable, very high-quality content coming from this device.
• iPhone 11 Max – oddly, we don’t mind using our iPhone to capture quick video clips, do FB live, Snapchat and Instagram Stories. Yea, it’s not a fancy video camera but it produces pretty good quality and it very handy.

Travel Video Filters

Filters really go a long way to capturing quality in video footage. We use the same types of filters for a video that we do for photography but since the lens sizes are different, I will list them out for you.

• Polar Pro Drone Filter Kit – these are the best filters on the market for the DJI drones. We made the mistake of buying cheap filters when we first bought the drone and it ruined all our footage. Don’t skimp on filters, you really do get what you pay for.
• B+W UV Filter 72mm – used to protect the lens glass and reduce light flare.
• B+W 72mm Circular Polarizer MRC – this filter will reduce glare and pump up the color in your photos.
• Polar Pro Polarizer for GoPro Hero 4 – for the same reasons you want the polarizer above, this makes the colors really pop on GoPro photos.

Travel Video Accessories

• Drone Controller Monitor Hood – this thing is brilliant in blocking the sun from the iPad screen when we are flying the drone.
• Drone Controller Range Booster – if you’ve ever had connection issues when flying your drone, you wouldn’t leave home without these!
• GorillaPod Flexi Tripod – this little guy comes in handy when we want to do timelapse with the phone or GoPro cameras. On occasion, we will use it to fix the DSLR too.
• Go Pro Sport Pole – must-have for capturing selfies with your GoPro. We also use it to film underwater from boats and docks.

Photography Storage & Post Processing

• MacBook Pro – we each carry a Macbook Pro 16 inch with 750GB RAM and 1TB HD. These computers are massive workhorses and handle the load of processing all our photos and video from our travels. They’re lightning-fast and allow us to be processing and multi-tasking at the same time. We love them.
• Adobe Premiere Pro – all of our video editing is done with this software. We pay the monthly fee to Adobe to use it from their online source.
• Adobe Lightroom – rather than using the online version, I own the hard copy and have it installed on my Macbook.
• WD 2TB My Passport External Hard Drive – we have several of these things and use them to back up and store all of our photos and footage
• WD 1TB My Passport External Hard Drive – while we have a couple of 1TB, I prefer the 2TB size above because I store both RAW and edited files.
• WD Nomad Rugged Case – we never worry about our hard drives for anything with these cases. They keep out the dust, moisture, and sun. We don’t even worry about dropping them, this case is awesome.
• Universal Power Strip – one of these is absolutely necessary to keep everything charged.
• Portable Power Bank – this comes in handy to keep the phone and GoPro charged if we have a long day of filming.
• Skross World Travel Adapter – this is the best adapter we have found for plugging in our 3 prong power strip.
• SmugMug – we use SmugMug to store and showcase photos. It’s a great platform and if you’re interested in signing up, the link will get you 20% off your first subscription to the service.

So there you have it, this is all of our gear that we carry and travel with us all around the world. We use this equipment to create quality content and showcase the globe. Everyone has their own needs and wants when it comes to photography gear bu this works for us.

Keep in mind there is no one size fits all with camera equipment but if you’ve ever wondered what we use to create our content, there you have it.

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Travel planning resources, about david & lina stock.

Hi! We have been traveling together since 2001 and have visited all 7 continents, multiple times. We started traveling together while both working full time corporate jobs until 2013 when we decided to quit our jobs and travel full time for the next 4 years. We started this blog and a media business alongside it, which is now our full time jobs. We love traveling to every corner of the planet so that we can photograph and share the stories of this world with you. Doing this has made us both award-winning photographers and writers. We hope we're able to help you travel more, and inspire you to visit places you might not have had on your bucket list.

9 thoughts on “Ultimate Travel Photography Gear List”

Excellent tips for travel photography. I am reading your blog and i get the really awesome photography tips and i am also canon 6d cam. It’s a really full frame camera is very useful for travel photography. I found this much useful information on your blog. Thanks for posting something worth reading. Great work.

Thank you for sharing. I love traveling and have been looking to upgrade my gear this sure helps! I am hoping my days of editing average pictures with presets are behind me 🙂

Glad you enjoyed the article and our insight on gear. Cheers!

I’ve been using Canon for many years and I agree, they produce high-quality video and image.. the Canon 60d works great.. A Gopro is definitely a must-have for adventure travel too and the 18-200 lens.. I had the Sigma 18-250 and I wouldn’t buy it again..Some people say good things about the Tamron 18-270 because they give you a 5 year warranty… but I’d go for Canon. Thanks for sharing!

Great article, thanks! Photography is a big thing for my husband and me. What software do you use to edit your videos? (And where do you find your background music?)

Glad you found it useful! We edit our videos with Adobe Premier Pro. Music is sourced from many various sources.

Thanks for your website, it is really great 🙂 I really love to travel too because it an amazing experience!

Thank you for sharing this! I haven’t seen such a comprehensive gear list yet! I am about to purchase an 80D (I think, I’m terribly indecisive).

You’re welcome and glad to hear you found it helpful. The Canon 80d is a very good product. Go for it!

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17 Top Travel Photography Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

Being a travel photographer is one of the best hobbies and/or jobs you could have. Imagine, exploring the world, photographing exotic locations, cuisine, and cultures, and not just sharing your images for the sake of entertainment, but inspiring others to go on adventures and discover the wonders of life that you’ve personally seen and captured in beautiful moments. Wow.

Congrats to you. And now, with all of these exciting escapades you’re set to do, I’m here to help you remember one thing: What to wear and what to pack for your next travel photography trip(s). Hey, believe it or not, you’ve come across the most important and often overlooked step in planning a photography venture, so let’s not make any mistakes!

What to Pack for Your Travel Photography Trip – 17 Essentials

1. camera bag.

This compact waterproof camera bag is a convenient and secure way to transport your camera and accessories. It’s lightweight, compartmentalized, flexible, and padded inside to offer the best protection against damages. A golden rule of thumb for travel photographers: Do not store your camera in a regular backpack.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Universal Travel Adapter

If you’re an avid travel photographer that hops from country to country to build your photography, then you’ll know that a compact universal travel adapter to charge your camera batteries, phone, tablet, and laptop is a necessity. And what better than an adapter that’s equipped with two USB ports so you can get more charging done at once?

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A virtual private network (VPN) is incredibly useful while traveling considering all of the public wifi networks you connect to while on the go. There’s always a risk of getting your digital information like credit card numbers and passwords hacked when connected to public networks. That’s why it’s always good to safely connect with a VPN so there’s no way hackers can access your private information.

View NordVPN.com Options ➜

4. Lightweight, Durable Tripod

Add this lightweight, durable tripod to your list of essential items to pack in your travel photography suitcase. Tripods offer great stabilization for your camera shots and are a requirement if you plan to shoot time-lapse and image stacks. I don’t think you can truly consider yourself a travel photographer unless you’ve got a tripod!

5. Packing Cubes

When it comes to luggage, a good set of packing cubes can help any travel photographer save space for their camera, its accessories, and equipment. After all, who would want to be stuck at the airport trying to decide between tossing out a lens or 4 pairs of sexy underwear to meet baggage requirements? Now that’s a tough choice!

6. Point and Shoot Digital Camera

Travel photographers beware: Your phone will not always be the best option when it comes to capturing the beautiful moments of your adventures. At a minimum, you’ll need to add a digital point and shoot camera, like Sony’s DSCW830 camera, that can provide 20.1-megapixel photos and 720p HD movies, to your camera ensemble.

7. Canon Rebel T7 Camera

A Canon Rebel T7 is one of the best professional cameras to use for amateur and professional travel photographers. It’s got a 24.1 MP CMOS sensor that can produce high-quality images and record full HD videos. It’s your best bet for the affordable and practical professional camera you may be looking for to photograph your exciting travels.

8. Neck Wallet

Just when you thought carrying all of your camera’s accessories was enough, don’t forget that you’ll also need a simple-yet-effective neck wallet to keep track of your valuables and personal items, i.e. passport, IDs, debit/credit cards, tickets, cash, and even phones. This lightweight, heavy-duty must-have travel item also wraps around your neck, keeping you safe from pickpockets.

Don’t just settle for the ground level (that rhymes!). Try diversifying your travel photography collection with some fantastic aerial shots from this powerful, user-friendly, highly-rated drone. Plus, you’ll be able to shoot videos in 4K and enable its GPS and “Follow Me” features.

10. Life Straw Water Bottle

As a travel photographer, keeping a quality water bottle with an advanced filter around is your best bet to stay hydrated while on the go. You wouldn’t want to stop and search for a water fountain while you’re waiting for that perfect shot of the sunset over the city, would you?

11. Windproof Travel Umbrella

Keep your camera safe in the shade and prevent it from being soaked in the rain. This sturdy, 12”, lightweight compact umbrella is a must-have for adventurous travel photographers that love to take pictures in every season.

12. Travel Insurance

The best places for travel photography often lie thousands of miles away from home. With that, let TravelInsurance.com be your top choice for finding the perfect policy that can provide 24/7 emergency assistance worldwide, coverage for emergency medical expenses, and cover the costs of your valuable luggage if lost or stolen.

Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

13. Affordable Underwater Camera

You won’t be able to dip your expensive professional or point-and-shoot camera into the water, but you can take this 20MP, 4K video quality, with you beneath the waves without a hitch. This is a great way to diversify your travel shots!

14. Smartphone Gloves

Sure, winter is a great time to shoot photos of snow-covered trees and Christmas decorations, but it’s also the coldest time of the year. The weather may just be too frigid for you to whip out your hands and update the functions on your touchscreen camera or phone. With that, a warm pair of smartphone gloves are perfect for any travel photographer looking to photograph in freezing temperatures.

15. Portable Hard Drive

You won’t need to beat yourself over the head for losing your camera or damaging your memory cards if you’ve brought along this portable hard drive. Feel safe and secure by saving your images to this backup storage space after each photo session. You can thank me later!

16. Universal Waterproof Phone Case

A universal waterproof phone case will come in handy if you plan on visiting a beach, pool, or natural body of water to take travel photos. This IPX8-certified case for your high-end iPhone or Samsung phone can offer the best protection from it getting wet.

17. Portable Charger

A travel photographer’s worst nightmare is having your camera’s batteries die just as your prepping for an unforgettable shot. Smh. Am I right? Nevertheless, moments like these are preventable, and having a portable charger on hand is a great way to keep the juices flowing so you don’t skip a beat.

Other Travel Photography Packing List Items Not to Forget

• Luggage Locks
• Cooling Towel
• Memory Card
• Bug Repellent Bracelets
• Camera Lens Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
• Airborne Immunity Support Medicine
• Selfie Stick
• Rain/Snow Lens Cover
• Men’s Trucker Hat
• Women’s Trucker Hat
• Lightweight Travel Backpack
• Phone Tripod
• First Aid Bag
• Electrolytes
• Female Urination Device
• Hiking Shoes
• Electronics Carrying Case
• Memory Card Reader
• Camera Straps
• Mini Air Blaster
• MP3 Bluetooth Speaker Watch
• Car Charger
• Shoe Insoles
• Moisture Wicking Scarf
• Hand Sanitizer
• Tactical Flashlight
• Camping Tent
• Men’s Visor Hat

What to Wear as a Travel Photographer

Since you’ll be carrying your camera and accessories, consider throwing on a comfortable crop top with a utility vest to store your gear and personal belongings. A pair of cargo pants loaded with pockets are also a great way to conveniently hold small items. Make sure to toss on some hiking boots if you’re spending your travel adventure in the mountains. If you need a little shade, a visor or bucket hat will help block the sun so you can get a clear shot of your visor or screen. What Men Should Wear as a Travel Photographer – (Click to expand) Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Dressing for the Seasons

As the temperature slowly heats up, it’s time to bring out a gorgeous floral dress to match the spring blossoms. A cozy cotton blend dress is perfect for mid-day shots that’ll lead into the evening. For guys, you can’t go wrong with a colorful short sleeve button down t-shirt to bring out your photographer spirit in the sun.

As the temperatures cool, don’t hesitate to throw on some casual drawstring pants or a cotton vest . You may need a lightweight raincoat, and if the weather is cold but manageable, prep some open finger gloves for easy access to your camera.

City Shots There’s nothing like a stunning showcase of architecture, cuisine, landmarks, technology, parks, transportation, and everyday life in cities across the world. Here, the casual approach works best. Toss on some jeans , sneakers, and polo T-shirt . Loose-fitted drawstring pants, a crop top , and a lightweight sweater are great options if you’ll be out into the night.

Road Trip Cross-country road trips are one of the most exciting forms of travel. You get to stop and see attractions, experience different cultures and witness dramatically changing landscapes. This is your chance to throw on some jogger sweats and your favorite T-shirt. If it’s hot, put on a sleeveless T-shirt , some UV protection sunglasses, and let the windows down. If it’s cold, toss on a nifty cotton sweater and wool socks while you listen to a podcast and think about all the amazing pictures you’re about to take.

What NOT to Bring as a Travel Photographer

1. don’t bring heavy & unnecessary camera accessories.

Don’t log around unnecessary, weighty camera equipment unless you absolutely, unequivocally, need it. If you’re shooting night shots in the mountains, for example, fill lights, a wide-angle lens, a durable tripod , night filters, a remote shutter, and a headlamp are a must. However, on a trip to the beach, you may just need the basics: a camera and a cocktail.

2. DON’T PACK Microphones

Unless you plan to record video—which, as a travel photographer, you actually may want to consider for stock video websites—just go ahead and leave your microphone at home. Hey, think of something else you can use that space for, like an extra battery . Speaking of which …

3. DON’T BRING Just One Battery and Memory Card

We’ve all been there—having those extra charging cables and batteries around are a God-send when your camera needs just a little bit more juice to capture something truly amazing. What’s more, having an extra memory card will be your savior once your storage gets full from all of the incredible shots you’ve taken.

4. DON’T TAKE Cheap Cameras

If you love travel photography the way I do, you’ll need to leave those cheap supermarket cameras at home and invest more cash into a quality camera. Yeah, I know. I’d say $200-$400 USD will get you a decent point-and-shoot digital camera , while $400 – $1K is average for a starter professional camera with great megapixels. If you want the best of the best, expect to spend $1000+, and that might just be for the camera body!

5. DON’T BRING Just Your Cellphone

Sure, Apple’s iPhone 13 can take some amazing photos. Trust me, I’ve used it myself. Nevertheless, a passionate travel photographer should always have a point-and-shoot digital camera, DSLR camera, or mirrorless camera on hand. You’ll get higher resolutions, better zooms, more creative options, and better navigational tools to adjust your camera settings.

6. DON’T PACK Poor Quality Camera Bags

Cameras are pretty expensive. And let’s not even mention all the must-have accessories you’ll need to buy like lenses , filters, memory cards, tripods, batteries, and cables. With that, DO NOT settle on a cheap, poorly made bag to hold your camera and gear. You’ll risk rips, which in turn leads to holes, and before you know it, your expensive gear is lost and your camera has slipped out of your bag, hit the ground, and cracked its lens. Ouch.

Travel Photography FAQs

1. what jobs can i do as a travel photographer.

Your passion for travel photography could lead you to many different professional directions, but here are 5 things to consider as a start:

• Start your own travel photography blog or portfolio. That way you can showcase your work to the world and potentially get discovered by companies in need of your images or skills. Isn’t that the dream!?
• Volunteer as a Photographer for Events. Local government-sponsored programs and city tourism magazines are always looking for volunteer photographers to capture their special events and activities. These are just a few great opportunities to develop your abilities and network in the field.
• Submit Your Photos to Travel Magazines Many travel-related magazines like Reader’s Digest, Midwest Living, and Afar, receive their beautiful images from a large network of freelance contributors. If your content is used often, they might even give you specific, paid assignments. Check their websites for details on how to submit your photos.
• Submit Your Work to Paid Stock Websites. Stock photography websites like Getty Images and Shutterstock have shelled out millions of dollars to their contributors. Why not get in on the action?
• Find Freelance Work. Freelance job opportunities for photographers, writers, voice-over artists, and transcribers, to name a few, are posted daily on websites like Upwork and Fiverr. Earn a little extra cash for your hobbies by signing up.

2. What’s the best camera for a beginner travel photographer?

Canon, Nikon, and Sony are renowned as the top camera brands to use for beginner travel photographers. And skip the point and shoot digital cameras—you’ll want to upgrade to a DSLR or Mirrorless camera for the best professional quality, which means a minimum of 24 megapixels and interchangeable lens sizes. The best cameras to buy for a beginner travel photographer are:

Canon: Rebel T7 Nikon: D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500 Sony: A6000, A6300

3. What’s the best way to store your travel photography?

Sure, you may be fine storing photos on your camera’s memory card, but what if your device gets damaged, lost, or stolen? All those beautiful photos you took … gone… forever, just… like… that! That’s why it’s imperative to have a backup system for your travel photos. The best ways to keep your photos safe are by:

• Saving your collection into a Cloud system.
• Transferring your photos to a portable hard drive.
• Transferring your photos to your laptop.
• Transferring your photos to your phone using your camera’s software app. For example, Nikon uses SnapBridge to connect your phone with its cameras, and you can transfer photos over using Bluetooth.

4. What licenses should you know about when sharing your travel photography?

The 4 most important licenses to know when it comes to granting others permission to use your travel photography are Editorial, Non-Commercial, Commercial Use, and Copyright Free/Public Domain. Here’s a short breakdown of each:

Editorial: Your photos can only be used to highlight information, news, commentary, or an event, and can’t be used for monetary gain.

Non-Commercial: Photos can be used in blogs, newsletters, personal websites, social media, and can’t be used for monetary gain.

Commercial Use: Photos can be used for monetary gain. They can be used in merchandising, advertisements, promotional materials, magazines, newspapers, etc.

Copyright Free/Public Domain: You give up the complete copyrights/ownership of your photos for free.

Other rights and licenses to review are Creative Commons, Exclusive/Non-Exclusive, First Rights, Rights Managed, and Royalty-Free.

5. What are some of the best places in the US for travel photography?

Oh boy. Ask a group of 100 travel photographers this exact question and you’re guaranteed to get 100 different answers. With that, here’s my personal list of 5 great places in the US for travel photography:

Sequoia National Park – California The Grand Canyon – Arizona Monument Valley – Utah Flint Hills – Kansas York – New York

6. What software can I use to edit my travel photography?

Sometimes you’ll need to help of photo editing software to bring out the best of your images. And there’s no shame—everyone does it. So, what’s the best software to use? Well, the Adobe brand has slowly transformed into an industry standard. For photos, Adobe Lightroom is a popular choice. Coral is also another leading photography editor. Try Coral Paint Shop.

If you’re aiming to use simpler photo editing tools, I suggest GIMP, Photoscape, Luminar, and Snapseed.

7. What websites can you submit your travel photography to and share it copyright free to the world?

I get it—your passion for travel photography doesn’t necessarily mean money is the end goal. Maybe you just like taking beautiful photos on your adventures and sharing them with the world, free of charge. Lucky for you, you can grant millions of people free access to your images. Websites like Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash, Freeimages.com, and Stock Vault, provide copyright-free images and allows users to upload as many photos as they’d like to share.

8. Where can you upload your travel photography and get paid?

There are plenty of stock photography websites where you can upload your high-quality photos and get paid. The most popular websites that pay photographers royalties for their images are:

Getty Images Shutterstock iStock Alamy Adobe Stock

Plus, don’t forget that you can submit your photos to tourism websites covering your city/state, and to local/national travel magazines that are looking for the best pictures of parks, landmarks, attractions, and popular destinations across the country.