The Best Photography Kit for Travelers

For photographers, any trip equals endless opportunities for stunning shots.

To make the most of your trip, you need to pack smart, making sure your gear is ready for any shooting scenario and always within easy reach.

If you’re sitting in front of your to-pack list with a blank mind, we’ll help you decide what to put in your camera bag.

What to Take With You When Traveling As a Photographer

Before packing, you need to consider the climate and terrain of your destination. Will you be focusing on wildlife or street photography? Will most of your shots be landscape or portrait?

Will you have people helping you or is it a solo trip?

And one last question, possibly the most important one: how many items are you willing to carry?

When those questions are out of the way, start packing these items:

Water-Resistant Camera Bag

Here are three conditions that your camera bag must meet:

• Water resistance
• Amply padded
• Lightweight

If it checks these boxes, you can take it with you everywhere. It’s also better to choose a basic camera bag that doesn’t scream “expensive,” especially if you’re traveling to rural areas.

If you’re torn between a shoulder back and a backpack, here’s a tip that may help you: a shoulder bag provides easier access, but a backpack is easier to carry.

That said, some camera backpacks are specially designed to have side access to make your gear easier to access. (Check out our guide to the best camera backpacks for top picks.)

If you’re doing plenty of walking or hiking on your trip, prioritizing comfort and taking a backpack is a good idea.

All-Rounder Lenses

Credit: Garrett Morrow

You can’t pack all of your lenses for your trip, but you can take the most versatile ones that will allow you to take as many shots as you can.

We’d recommend a zoom lens like a 24-70mm and a wide-angle lens like 16-35mm. You can also pack a prime lens, which is portable and easier to carry than most.

Hard Drive

Credit: Luis Quintero

All photographers know that backing up images is the most important part of any trip.

Pack a large hard drive that’ll take everything you shoot during your trip, and make sure not to delete anything from the memory cards even after copying them to the drive.

Always account for the worst-case scenario and keep at least two backup versions of your photos. Online storage is also a great option for keeping photos safe, if you have a reliable internet connection for uploading.

Here‘s a handy guide to the best online photo storage services.

Lightweight Tripod

Credit: Hartono Creative Studio

For long exposures and night photography, pack a travel tripod, but make sure that it’s lightweight enough for you. It should also be sturdy enough for the conditions of whatever destination you’re visiting.

Comfortable Strap

Credit: Webster

If you’re going to be shooting for extended periods, make sure to pack a comfortable wide camera strap. You may also consider a sling or a harness for hikes and long walks.

Must-Have Filters

Credit: Assedrani Official

Chances are, you won’t have enough space in your bag to pack all your filters.

If you have an ND filter, a UV filter, and a polarizing filter, you won’t need the others. These three filters will cover long exposures, lens protection, and reducing glare, respectively.

Extras

Credit: Luis Quintero

A couple of extra batteries and memory cards won’t take up much space in your bag, and they may save your trip. You may also want to pack cigarette lighter adapters.

To make sure your batteries have equal wear, you can number them and use them in order.

As for memory cards, bring enough so that you won’t have to filter through your images until you return from your trip.

Cleaning Kit

Credit: Takeshi Arai

Pack a cleaning kit that includes a cleaning solution, a lens cloth, a couple of brushes, and a blower. You never know what you’ll encounter on your trip, and you’ll want to clean your filters, lenses, and viewfinders.

Weather Protection

Credit: Simon Spieske

Depending on your destination, you may need rain covers and waterproof bags for your gear. If you’re going to encounter a lot of moisture, take some silica gel packs to protect your items.

Drone Permits

Credit: Dose Media

If you plan to do some drone photography, make sure to be prepared with all the permits you need beforehand. Some countries prohibit the use of drones altogether, and others apply strict laws and restrictions that you must abide by.