My Favorite Travel Photography Gear

After, more than a decade of experience in travel photography and concert photography, I recently took the leap to update my digital camera and lens. Photography gear can be a big investment, and I spent months researching camera equipment and carefully considering my needs before I made a purchase.

I’m happy to report that I’m thrilled with my new mirrorless camera and lens, which I upgraded from a DSLR. Since I’m often asked about what camera gear I shoot with for my concert and travel photography, I thought I’d save you time by passing on my research and giving you a look into my camera bag with my travel photography gear list.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my honest recommendations, at no additional cost to you.

Camera Gear

Mirrorless Camera – Canon EOS R6 Mark II

While I loved shooting with my DSLR camera (below), I’m so happy that I upgraded to a mirrorless camera. After tons of research, I opted for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. Since I am often shooting on the go to capture travel or concert photos, the mirrorless camera’s lighter weight and compact body appealed to me.

I’m pleased with the improvements I’m seeing in the camera speed and image quality as well as transitioning from a crop sensor to a full frame camera. If you’re looking to switch from a DSLR camera to a mirrorless camera, I found it easy to get up to speed quickly with the Canon R6.

Telephoto Lens – Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L Lens

I wanted a better zoom lens for concert and travel photos, and shooting with the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L Lens is a dream. This lens is made for mirrorless cameras so it’s light for a telephoto lens, yet still has some heft. However, the combined weight and size of the lens and camera body is comparable to my previous camera kit so it was a seamless transition.

The lens shoots beautifully, and I’m especially happy with its quality in low light settings.

Mirrorless Lens Adapter – Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter

As I mentioned, travel photography gear is expensive. Fortunately, upgrading to a mirrorless camera body did not mean that I had to abandon all of my old DSLR lenses. Canon offers adapters allowing me to use my EF lenses with my EOS mirrorless camera. There are a few different models of the adapter, and after much research I chose the most basic (and affordable) option—the Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter.

The adapter is easy to use. You simply attach the adapter to your DSLR lens and mount it to your camera as you normally would. The adapter doesn’t add any significant length or weight to the camera kit. Considering the price of camera lenses, I’m thrilled that this $100 piece of camera gear allows me to continue using my DSLR lenses. 

Prime Lens – Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Lens

Ah the nifty fifty, everyone’s favorite prime lens. A prime lens is a lens with a fixed focal length that doesn’t zoom. Everyone from beginner photographers to seasoned professionals appreciate the 50mm lens for its flexibility, great performance in low light, and shallow depth of field that allows you to create interesting bokeh backgrounds.

I recommend getting a 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 for beautiful bokeh backgrounds when wide open. The fixed focal length forces you to really think about your composition when shooting and to zoom with your feet. I often shoot using only my 50mm lens when I’m in need of a creative photo challenge. I use the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 DSLR lens with the adapter (above), but Canon also makes a mirrorless 50mm lens.

Wide Angle Zoom Lens – Canon EF-S 18-135mm

Before upgrading to my mirrorless telephoto lens, I shot much of my concert and travel photography using this kit lens. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens’s zoom range is super versatile for travel photos, allowing you to shoot wide angle photos and zoom in to capture details without switching lenses.

When I’m traveling, I don’t always want to take the time to switch lenses and set up shots and I prefer to have a versatile lens that can do it all. While I primarily shoot with my 70-200mm lens these days, this wide angle lens is always in my camera bag. 

DSLR Camera – Canon EOS 60D

This camera body has captured trips from Mexico to Milan, hundreds of concerts, all of the photos in both of my books, and even some print shots in magazines like CN Traveller and GQ. If you’re looking for a reliable DSLR, I’d recommend the Canon 60D which comes with the 18-135mm lens (above) in this kit.

Film Camera – Canon A-1

This film camera is one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve received. While I don’t typically pack it for long-haul trips, I love to throw my Canon A-1 in my bag for road trips and long weekends away. 

If you’re new to film, don’t be intimidated! Try it out and have some fun. I recommend this Canon A-1 tutorial to get started.

35mm Film – Kodak Gold 200

While the price of film has increased recently, it’s still an affordable hobby. The type of 35mm film you buy depends on where you’re shooting. You should choose your film speed (ISO) based on the amount of light in your setting . Generally, 100 is great for outdoors or bright settings, 400 is good for cloudy settings, and 800 and above work for indoor settings.

I usually reach for Kodak Gold 200 as an all-around film. Here in Chicago, I recommend supporting Central Camera to purchase and develop film and even shop for used camera gear. They’ve been operating in the Loop since 1899!

Camera Accessories

UV Lens Filter

Once you invest in travel photography gear, it’s a good idea to protect it. I typically purchase UV filters to protect my camera lenses from UV light. Remember to check the correct filter size for the lens you are using.

Camera Bag – Lowepro Toploader

While many photographers prefer a backpack, I like the accessibility of having my camera ready to grab with a top loading camera case. The super functional Lowepro LP36704 Toploader is easy to sling over my shoulder while shooting during my travels or hide in a zippered tote bag (below) when not in use.

I typically carry my mirrorless camera body and 70-200mm lens along with my wide angle lens and adapter. In the zipper compartment, I carry the accessories listed below. 

Tote Bag – Rebecca Minkoff

When I’m traveling, my top loading camera bag (above) easily fits into a tote bag along with other items. For example, I may also need to carry drone gear, microphones, or a gimbal on a shoot. If I’m traveling, it’s nice to bring along a water bottle and guide book. 

This Rebecca Minkoff Washed Nylon Tote is roomy and stylish. Any water resistant nylon tote bag will do. Just make sure that it has a zipper for security. Here is a more affordable tote bag option.

Leather Camera Bag

When embarking on day trips and city travel, I opt for a stylish leather camera bag. If I’m heading somewhere for a weekend and don’t need to bring all of my travel photography gear, I’ll simply pack my camera, lens, and wallet in the leather bag. My Palma bag by Ona is no longer available, but this leather camera bag is a stylish option.

Camera Battery – Canon LP-E6NH

In my mirrorless camera research, one word of caution I came across is that their batteries don’t last as long as DSLR cameras. While I haven’t had any issues with the battery, I did pick up a spare rechargeable battery that I always have charged just in case. 

SD Cards – SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB

I prefer purchasing 32 GB memory cards rather than going with a huge size card. That way, if one SD card is damaged or fails you won’t lose all of your photos. One benefit of the Canon R6 is there are two memory card slots. You can program the camera to start storing to the second memory card once the first one is full.

Waterproof Memory Card Case

Since I travel with multiple memory cards, it gives me peace of mind knowing that they’re stored in a waterproof SD card case. 

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Don’t let dust or moisture catch you off guard. I always keep a microfiber wipe in my camera bag to clean off my camera lens.

LensPen

Here’s another handy tool that takes up little room. One side of the LensPen has a brush to get rid of dust and sand while the other end removes pesky smudges on your lens glass. 

Camera Rain Cover

I added this to my camera kit to protect it from the fake blood spray that comes from photographing GWAR, and it has been handy for many non-blood-related weather emergencies since then. I keep this camera rain sleeve protector in my kit at all times. I’ve busted this baby out during rainstorms at music festivals, while photographing a rallly car race in Slovenia, and while avoiding the spray of Faygo during an Insane Clown Posse concert. Don’t let the wet get in the way of your shot.

Tripod – Vanguard VEO 2 PRO

I typically only pack a tripod if I know I’m planning to use it. For me, that includes shooting waterfalls, low light scenes, or filming videos. Since I don’t often pack a tripod on long trips, I chose the Vanguard VEO 2 PRO 203AO aluminum tripod over a lighter, more expensive carbon fiber tripod. At 3.1 lbs. it’s light enough for what I need and it can hold up to 6.6 lbs.

Drone and Accessories

Drone – DJI Mini 2

I picked up a drone a few years ago to experiment with new perspectives in my travel photos and travel video series. It was quick to get the DJI Mini 2 up and running and easy to learn. I didn’t want to invest in the DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo before using the drone, but I ended up purchasing many of those accessories separately (below) so the combo is worth considering.

My biggest tip for shooting with this drone is to charge everything fully the night before your shoot and check for any available software updates. No one wants to be stuck waiting for an update while you’re on location. 

Drone bag – DJI Mini Bag

This little DJI Mini Bag is handy for storing all of my drone accessories. I keep the drone in the clear section on the front of the bag while the controller and charging hub with extra batteries are stored in the main section of the bag. Drone batteries drain quickly, so I keep a charging cable and wall charger in the small zipper section so it’s always ready to charge.

Drone Propeller Holder – CYNOVA

I purchased this nifty propeller holder to protect the drone’s delicate blades. It’s nice to have an expensive piece of equipment like a drone safely contained rather than just shoving it back in the bag.

Extra Drone Batteries – DJI Mini 2 Intelligent Flight Battery

You’re going to need more drone batteries. I would say that one battery lasts about 30 minutes. That might sound like plenty,  it by the time you get your drone in the air, see the lay of the land, and plan your shots it’s beeping at you that the battery is low. Give yourself peace of mind and extended flying time with two extra batteries. 

Drone Charging Hub – DJI Mini 2 Two-Way Charging Hub

Why do I recommend two extra batteries? Well, the DJI Mini 2 charging hub can charge three batteries at a time. It’s super convenient to plug in this device overnight before a shoot and have three fully charged batteries at the ready. The hub can also be used to charge your phone in a pinch which has come in handy for me!

Drone Landing Pad – Kinbon

Drones like landing on a flat surface, but when you’re shooting outdoors there’s not always a sidewalk or parking lot nearby. This drone landing pad is especially useful when you’re trying to land your drone on a grassy area or somewhere with dust or sand.

Micro SD Card and Adapater – SanDisk Ultra 32GB microSDHC UHS-I Card

The DJI Mini 2 doesn’t come with a memory card, so you’ll have to buy it separately. You’ll notice that it’s a micro SD card smaller than your standard memory card. While you can download the images directly to your phone from the drone, I like having the micro SD adapter that comes with the micro SD card to transfer my drone photos to my laptop. 

Phone and Accessories

Mobile Phone – Apple iPhone 14 Pro

The best camera is the one you have with you, and so often that’s my iPhone. While I don’t have the newest iPhone on the market, It’s amazing to see the quality of cell phone cameras improving year after year. I’m often amazed by what I can capture from the phone in my pocket. If I’m shooting with a telephoto lens, I’ll often pull out my iPhone for wide-angle shots rather than switching lenses. 

Cell Phone Gimbal – DJI Osmo Mobile 3

If you film any video using your phone, this tool is a no-brainer. Calibrate the gimbal to your mobile phone and it helps focus on your subject and film smooth, professional-looking shots. No more shaky video! The gimbal is especially helpful when I’m filming myself as I can use it as both a selfie stick and a tripod all-in-one tool. The Osmo Mobile 3 gimbal is still working great for me, but if you prefer the latest model try the Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal.

Cell Phone Tripod – JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Mini

While I pack the Osmo gimbal if I’m planning a video shoot with my digital camera, I’m more likely to throw this lightweight, adjustable phone tripod in my bag for a quick day of shooting. It can also be used as a selfie stick in a pinch!

Audio Equipment

Wireless Microphone – DJI Mic

A professional videographer friend wasn’t lying when he told me that audio quality is the biggest game changer in videos. Filming videos in cities often means battling ambient sirens, trucks, and live music. This wireless microphone system saves me time on location as well as hours of audio editing. I absolutely love the DJI Mic’s compact, easy-to-use design. This little case includes an iPhone and Android adapter, so whether I’m filming video on my phone or on my digital camera, the right microphone connection is always at hand.

Lavalier Microphone – Shure MVL

The magnetic microphone clip that comes with the DJI Mic (above) works just fine, but when I really want to look polished I’ll connect it to this smaller lavalier microphone from Shure. The microphone’s small size is inconspicuous if you’re filming and it fits inside my DJI Mic carrying pouch so it’s always ready to go.

Voice Recorder – Sony ICDUX560BLK

I’m a journalist at heart, so I like to be extra prepared when interviewing a subject. Sure, iPhone voice memos work ok, but I prefer to have something more professional. I sometimes record on both the Sony voice recorder and my cell phone to have a backup. I keep this recorder on hand in my camera bag for interviewing people or creating field recordings.

Mini Notebook – Moleskine

I often find myself reaching for my Notes app while I’m on assignment, but there’s no replacement for handwritten notes. Keeping this mini Moleskine notebook in my camera bag comes in handy when I’m conducting an interview or taking a tour. That way, I don’t seem rude by having my phone out.

Photo Editing Tools

Editing Software – Adobe Photography Plan

It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been using Adobe’s photo editing tools for nearly two decades! Many photographers prefer Lightroom, but I still edit my photos in Photoshop. I love Lightroom for organizing and tagging my photo library. You can get both tools for just $9.99 a month with Adobe’s Photography Plan. They’re the most trusted name in photo editing tools. 

External Hard Drive – LaCie

After far too many external hard drive issues, I sprung for the LaCie rugged portable hard drive. It’s shock-resistant (up to a four-foot drop), dust-resistant, and water-resistant, making it the perfect external hard drive for traveling. Don’t skimp on the storage. The more photos I take, the more I’m concerned with backing them up.

Laptop – 16-inch MacBook Pro

Upgrading my laptop to this MacBook Pro has been such a game-changer. Everything just works. I could go on about the M1 Pro chip, but you probably already have one. It’s honestly worth it for the instant AirDropping capabilities between my phone and my laptop while I’m editing and posting photos.

I hope that you enjoyed this peek into my camera bag and travel photography gear list and that it helps you find the camera gear to bring your travel photos and videos to life. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments below!