What’s in My Camera Bag?

One of the top questions photographers get asked is what gear they use to shoot their photos. Today, phone camera technology is pretty amazing, so really all you need to get started in photography is a decent phone. However, if you want to expand your gear collection, this post lists what I use.

Camera gear

iPhone 13 Pro

It’s been said way too many times, but the best camera really is the one you have with you. Phones have pretty amazing cameras these days (this was actually an upgrade from my trusty iPhone 6, so it was a big leap), and it’s awesome to have something that you can use to take pictures that is pretty much always with you already.

Sony A7 III

This is the camera I used to take most of the photos on this site. It was a huge upgrade from my previous camera and my old iPhone 5 (which I held onto for as long as I could!), and I love it. It is a mirrorless camera, which makes it a little lighter than comparable DSLRs. This is a great feature because it makes it very outdoors- and travel-friendly!

Some of my favorite sunset images taken with my Sony A7 III!

Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6

This is a great lens, especially if you can only bring one! It’s versatile enough to do both portraits and landscapes and perfect to bring along while traveling.

Platinum 55mm UV Lens Filter

Lenses are expensive, so it’s a great idea to protect yours! UV filters are cheap (this one was $16 when I bought it), and while they don’t affect your photos much, they do cover your lens and prevent it from getting dirty or scratched. I’m pretty careful with my camera, but I’ve still experienced some sea spray suddenly blowing in my direction and getting on my lens! It’s so much less stressful to have a cover, just in case.

GoPro Hero9

A GoPro is a great option for getting started in underwater photography. It’s wayyy less expensive than an underwater housing for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. I know there are also waterproof cases for your phone out there, but while the larger screen might be nice, I completely rely on my phone while traveling, so I think I would be too nervous to actually take it in the water!

Accessories

Thule Stir 35L

My camera bag itself! So far, I have taken this bag all over Central and South America, and it’s held up amazingly. Since it’s only 35 liters, most people would use this as a daypack, but I’ve learned to pack as light as possible over the years, and I’ve had a lot of other backpackers remark on how nice it was that I had such a small pack. It was a relief to have a bag that was small enough to come with me on buses and not have to go into the luggage section, especially since it had all my camera gear in it!

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This post lists all the camera gear I currently use for my travel photos. I will keep it updated as I find more useful things to add, but remember that you don’t need a lot of fancy gear to get started with travel photography.

The most important thing is to practice – practice using any camera, even your phone, to take photos, and you will start to develop an eye for it. In addition, you might find it helpful to look up some information about the basics of photo composition. Remember, photography is a skill, so while gear can help you, developing your knowledge and experience is paramount.

Finally, remember to have fun out there! Enjoy your travel photography journey, and you’ll find yourself improving in no time!

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