Essential Gear for Travel Photography

Travel photography presents a unique set of challenges. You need equipment that's versatile enough to capture diverse subjects—from sweeping landscapes to intimate street scenes—yet portable enough to carry for hours or days at a time. Having traveled to over 40 countries documenting everything from bustling markets to remote wilderness, I've refined my gear choices to balance quality, versatility, and portability. In this guide, I'll share what equipment to bring on your next photography adventure and why.

The Travel Photographer's Dilemma

Every travel photographer faces the same fundamental challenge: how to pack light while still being prepared for any photographic opportunity. The answer lies in choosing versatile gear that serves multiple purposes and eliminating redundancies. Let's start with the foundation of your kit—the camera.

Choosing the Right Camera for Travel

Mirrorless vs. DSLR

For travel photography, mirrorless cameras have significant advantages:

• Size and weight: Typically smaller and lighter than DSLRs
• Silent shooting: Essential for discreet street photography
• Electronic viewfinders: Show exposure and white balance changes in real-time
• Advanced autofocus: Modern mirrorless cameras offer excellent face/eye detection and tracking

That said, DSLRs still offer advantages in battery life and, depending on your existing lens collection, may be more economical if you already own compatible lenses.

Full-Frame vs. Crop Sensor

While full-frame cameras generally offer better low-light performance and dynamic range, modern crop sensor cameras can produce excellent results while offering these travel-friendly benefits:

• Smaller, lighter bodies and lenses
• Extended reach with telephoto lenses (the crop factor effect)
• Lower cost, allowing you to invest in better lenses or additional gear

Weather Sealing

Weather sealing should be a high priority for travel photographers. You'll likely encounter unexpected rain, dust, or humidity. A weather-sealed camera and lenses provide peace of mind and prevent gear failures in challenging environments.

Essential Lenses for Travel Photography

Lens selection is perhaps the most important decision for travel photographers. The right combination provides versatility without weighing you down. Here are the most useful options:

The One-Lens Solution: Travel Zoom

If you want to travel ultra-light with just one lens, a high-quality travel zoom (typically 24-105mm or 24-120mm for full-frame, or 18-135mm for crop sensors) offers remarkable versatility. These lenses cover everything from wide landscapes to medium telephoto for portraits and details.

Pros:

• Simplicity—no lens changes means no missed moments and less sensor dust
• Lighter overall kit
• Less conspicuous than changing between multiple lenses

Cons:

• Typically slower apertures (usually f/4 or variable f/3.5-5.6)
• Some optical compromises compared to prime lenses
• Limited in specialized situations (ultra-wide landscapes, wildlife)

The Two-Lens Strategy

My preferred travel setup is a two-lens kit that balances versatility with quality:

1. Standard zoom (24-70mm f/2.8 or f/4): Covers most everyday situations
2. Versatile prime (35mm or 50mm f/1.8): For low light and creating images with shallow depth of field

Alternative two-lens combinations:

• Wide zoom (16-35mm) + medium telephoto zoom (70-200mm)
• Standard zoom (24-70mm) + telephoto zoom (70-200mm)

Specialty Lenses Worth Considering

Ultra-wide lens (14-16mm or wider): Valuable for dramatic landscapes, architecture, and tight interior spaces. Consider this if your itinerary includes dramatic landscapes, architectural photography, or confined spaces like narrow streets.

Compact telephoto (70-300mm): Useful for wildlife, distant details, or compressing perspective in landscapes. Modern compact telephoto zooms offer good quality without the bulk of professional 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses.

Essential Accessories for Travel Photography

Memory Cards and Storage

Memory card failures can be devastating when traveling. My recommendations:

• Bring multiple smaller cards rather than few large ones (don't put all your photos on one card)
• Use high-quality, reliable brands
• Consider cameras with dual card slots for real-time backup
• Bring a portable backup solution (external hard drive or cloud storage options)

Batteries and Charging

Running out of power means missing shots. Be prepared with:

• At least 2-3 camera batteries (more for power-hungry mirrorless cameras)
• Multi-battery charger to maximize overnight charging
• USB charging options (many modern cameras can charge via USB)
• Power bank for emergency charging
• International plug adapters

Tripods for Travel

A good travel tripod balances stability, weight, and packed size. Consider:

• Carbon fiber: Lighter than aluminum but more expensive
• Travel-specific designs: Legs that fold back on themselves for compact storage
• Tabletop/mini tripods: Ultra-portable options that can be placed on walls, tables, or other stable surfaces

If weight is a primary concern and your camera is relatively light, consider alternative stabilization options:

• Gorilla pods that can wrap around railings or tree branches
• Clamps with ball heads that attach to tables or other fixed objects
• Bean bags that can stabilize a camera on uneven surfaces

Filters

While many filter effects can be replicated in post-processing, these physical filters remain valuable for travel photography:

• Polarizing filter: Reduces reflections and enhances colors, especially useful for landscapes with water and skies
• Neutral Density (ND) filters: Enable long exposures in bright conditions, perfect for creating motion blur in waterfalls or smoothing ocean waves
• UV/Protection filter: Primarily for protecting front lens elements from scratches, dust, and moisture

Bags and Carrying Solutions

Your camera bag needs to be comfortable for long days of exploration while providing quick access to gear and adequate protection. Consider:

• Messenger-style bags: Provide quick access but can strain your shoulder during long days
• Backpacks: More comfortable for extended wear but slower to access equipment
• Sling bags: Hybrid design offering easier access than backpacks while distributing weight better than messenger bags

Features to look for:

• Weather resistance
• Security features (non-obvious design, lockable zippers)
• Ability to carry water, snacks, and personal items
• Comfortable straps and back padding
• Room for a tablet or laptop if you'll be editing on the road

Cleaning and Maintenance

Dust, moisture, and rough handling are inevitable while traveling. Pack these items to keep your gear in top condition:

• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Lens cleaning solution (or pre-moistened lens wipes)
• Rocket blower for removing dust
• Sensor cleaning kit for longer trips
• Silica gel packets to combat humidity
• Rain cover or plastic bags for unexpected downpours

Tech and Accessories

These additional items can enhance your travel photography experience:

• Remote shutter release: For long exposures without camera shake
• Portable light: A small LED panel or flash can save difficult lighting situations
• Smartphone apps: For location scouting, sun/moon position tracking, and weather forecasting
• Portable editing device: Tablet or laptop for reviewing and backing up images

Packing Strategies for Air Travel

Air travel presents specific challenges for photographers. Here's how to navigate them:

Carry-On Considerations

• Never check essential photography equipment—always carry it on
• Be aware of weight restrictions for carry-on luggage (increasingly strict on international carriers)
• Consider wearing a photography vest or jacket with pockets to distribute heavier items
• Remove batteries from checked luggage (often required by regulations)

Security Checkpoints

• Be prepared to remove camera equipment for separate screening
• Keep memory cards in a secure, easily accessible pocket
• Consider TSA PreCheck or similar programs to reduce equipment handling

Travel-Friendly Smartphone Photography

Modern smartphones capture remarkable images and can complement your main camera:

• Perfect for quick, discreet shots when setting up your main camera isn't practical
• Excellent for behind-the-scenes documentation of your trip
• Useful for location scouting
• Immediate sharing capabilities

Consider these smartphone photography accessories:

• Clip-on lenses for wide-angle or macro capabilities
• Small tripod or stabilizer
• External battery pack

Conclusion: The Right Balance

The perfect travel photography kit balances capability with portability. Remember that the best camera is the one you have with you—and if your kit is too heavy or cumbersome, you might leave it behind precisely when you need it most.

Start with a versatile foundation, then add specialized gear based on your specific destination and photographic goals. With each trip, evaluate what you used most and what stayed in your bag, then refine your kit accordingly.

Ultimately, great travel photography isn't about having every possible piece of equipment, but about having the right tools to capture the moments that matter most to you. Pack thoughtfully, travel light, and focus on the experiences and images rather than the gear itself.