Ultimate Travel Photography Gear Guide 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.
My photography gear list has stayed pretty consistent over time, whether I’m shooting travel content or adventure elopements. Canon girl through and through!
After spending the last 5+ years as a professional photographer, I’ve gathered a collection of adventure photography gear that I truly love and would highly recommend to anyone.
Of course, travel photography essentials go beyond just the gear. Everything from the time of day to the angle you’re shooting will impact your final images.
But yes, the gear is definitely still important!
In this guide, I’m sharing my go-to photography gear list; complete with travel photography essentials, best travel photography accessories, and even a few unique additions to my camera bag in 2023.
Ps. PIN this to reference later!
CAMERAS
Canon R5: my main camera body
In my opinion, this is the best camera for travel photography. I also use this camera body in all of my elopement photography work. It delivers on those famous Canon colors, it’s significantly lighter than any DSLR alternatives, it performs incredibly with its high megapixel count (45MP!).
Canon R6: my backup camera body
This is a fantastic alternative to the pricier R5, and still offers awesome image quality, a lighter body weight than DSLRs, and those can’t-beat Canon colors.
Canon 5D Mark III: my second backup camera body
This was my main camera body until I switched to mirrorless, but I still keep it as a backup. If you’re a photography beginner and not looking to drop thousands on a camera, this is a fantastic camera to purchase used. I highly recommend buying used camera gear from KEH Camera! The Canon 5D Mark III is a professional level camera, but since Canon recently stopped producing this DSLR body, you can now find them (many with super low shutter counts) lightly used for under $1000.
LENSES
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The most versatile travel lens. If I could only pick one lens to bring with me, this would be the clear winner. You have the option to go pretty wide at 24mm, or get some great compression (background scenery appearing larger & closer than it really is) in your images with 70mm. And of course, any focal length in between! You can also opt for the RF version of this lens, so that it’s directly mountable to your Canon mirrorless camera (without a mount adapter).
This is still my personal favorite lens (especially in my elopement photography work). The 35mm focal length is amazing for storytelling. It’s wide enough to set the scene, but not too wide that you get vignetting or a fish-eye effect. It’s incredibly sharp and produces gorgeous bokeh. If you’re in the market for a prime lens (non-zoom lens), this should be at the top of the list.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
I absolutely love this lens for making the background in my images pop with compression. Zoomed in all the way at the 200mm focal length, the mountains (or whichever background I’m shooting in) will look massive. It’s also great for capturing wildlife! You can also opt for the RF version of this lens, so that it’s directly mountable to your Canon mirrorless camera (without a mount adapter).
Essential lens add-on: Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter
To use EF lenses (for DSLR bodies) with the newer Canon RF cameras like the R6 (mirrorless bodies), you’ll need a mount adapter. Linked above is the one that I use, and it was only $100! No need to switch out all of your EF lenses to RF lenses if you’re already heavily invested in Canon glass.
ACCESSORIES
The best travel camera bag, hands down, and my go-to camera bag for every single trip. In addition to the padded interior designed specifically for camera equipment, I love that it has a separate roll-top compartment that fits so much additional gear or personal travel items. For trips where I’m packing my core camera essentials, the WANDRD Prvke Lite is perfect. I can fit my main camera body, 2 lenses and all of the essential accessories with room to spare. For trips where I’m packing 2 camera bodies, all lenses, etc, the WANDRD Prvke 31L is essential.
Peak Design Leash Camera Strap
Other camera straps can be such a hassle to attach to your camera body. My favorite part about the Peak Design strap is the quick-release anchor link system. You can attach anchor links to each of your camera bodies, and then switch the camera strap quickly and easily between them!
This is one of the best travel photography accessories, and definitely one of the most necessary. I have the aluminum version, and there is also a crazy lightweight carbon fiber version at a higher price point. This travel tripod is extremely compact and sturdy. In addition to the quick-release camera mount, it also features a small hidden compartment with a smartphone mount!
An essential for getting photos of yourself while traveling! This remote shutter release is super small, so you can easily hide it in photos, and can easily attach it to a carabiner or keychain (for those who are prone to losing small things, like myself - haha).
I have one of these on each of my lenses to protect from the elements. It’s a basic but essential filter that provides reduction of ultraviolet light, helps eliminate bluish cast in images, and keeps dust, moisture, fingerprints, scratches, etc off of your lens glass. Before purchasing, make sure to check the thread size of your specific lens. This is different from the focal length! For example, the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 lens has a thread size of 82mm. A quick Google search will tell you the correct thread size of your lens.
This trifold SD card case keeps all of my memory cards safe and organized. It also has an attached strap with clips to tether to the inside of my camera bag.
Apple Lightning to SD Card Reader
This little tool is essential for those who have no patience, like myself - haha. On many short trips, I won’t carry a laptop with me. And there’s no way I could wait to post a photo until after the trip is over! This card reader allows you to plug your SD card directly into your phone. From there, I’ll save one or two photos that I’d like to use, and edit them in the free Lightroom Mobile app with my mobile editing presets.
Lens cleaning cloth + Rocket Air Blower
Never get caught without a microfiber lens cloth! I keep at least one, usually more, of these in my bag at all times. The air blower is incredibly useful for getting stubborn dust particles off of your lens or out of sensitive and hard to reach parts of the camera. Buy a simple kit like this one for multiple cleaning tools.
35mm Film
I’ll typically carry at least 2 spare rolls of film per trip, which vary based on what’s available. My most used is Fujifilm Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400.
Have you ever accidentally rewound a roll of film before it was even started? Very frustrating. This film picker is a simple little tool to extract the tip of the film from the canister, so that you can go ahead and actually use it!
FILE STORAGE & BACKUP
SanDisk Extreme PRO Memory Cards
I’ve used these memory cards for years! Both 64GB and 128GB spare cards are in my camera bag at all times.
*Also, I would not recommend purchasing SD cards from Amazon. It’s not uncommon to receive knockoffs, which would either not work or corrupt (rendering your images totally unusable). B&H Photo or Adorama are the only places I’ll order SD cards from.
The best storage drive, especially for travel photographers! It’s incredibly small, portable, and even has a carabiner loop. I keep mine protected in a hardshell carrying case that’s basically the size of my iPhone.
LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive
My backup drive. Yes, you always need a backup of a backup of a backup! This drive is specifically designed for travelers, photographers, and videographers. It features shock, drop, and pressure resistance, as well as a rubber outer sleeve for extra protection.
EDITING SOFTWARE
Adobe Lightroom Classic: I edit all of my images with Lightroom! There are two versions of Lightroom - Classic or CC. Classic is for desktop only, and has more functionality than CC.
Adobe Photoshop: this is mainly used for touch-ups that require more attention than what can be accomplished in Lightroom.
Adobe Bridge: I use this to view my image folders for a project, ‘star’ favorite images, and batch rename the files.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile app: the functionality of regular Lightroom, but for your phone and it’s 100% free to use. With this, I’m able to edit photos with my own presets on the fly!
VN app: a super easy-to-use (and free) video editing app that I use for making base edits on all of my iPhone footage.
Temply app: my favorite app for making aesthetic Instagram reels and stories. The fonts and pre-made templates make editing a breeze. I typically use this after I’ve already made base edits to each individual video in the VN app.
Other Cameras
Arguably one of the coolest photography gear investments, especially for people who want a unique film-like “daily carry” camera. I just purchased this camera in late 2022. It’s unbelievably light, compact and produces gorgeous images. One of the biggest selling points for this camera is the built-in film simulations. If you choose to shoot with one of the film simulations turned on, you don’t have to edit your photos at all. I recently started using this camera on short day trips and in situations where my full gear setup just isn’t necessary!
*Since the Fujifilm x100v is a fixed-lens camera, I also use the Fujifilm TCL-X100 II Tele Conversion Lens attachment. That changes the focal length from a 35mm lens equivalent to a 50mm lens equivalent.
Canon Sure Shot 65 Zoom Film Camera
My “for fun” point and shoot film camera while traveling. Instead of investing in a (quite overpriced) Contax point and shoot film camera, this Canon film camera does the job more than adequately for quick, grainy & nostalgic snaps.
I have one of these in nearly every bag I own, not kidding. I’ll typically buy in bulk and then leave them in various bags that I switch between, just so I always have a film camera on hand at any given moment. These are obviously not essential to your camera gear collection, but it is super enjoyable to finally have the film developed and remember everything that you captured!
What I’m adding in 2023
Peak Design Capture Camera Clip
If you can’t tell by now, I’m a massive fan of everything that Peak Design makes. The Peak Design Capture Camera Clip is the next (small but mighty) addition to my gear kit. After using a locking carabiner to attach my camera to my hiking backpack strap for years, it’s time for an upgrade! The Capture Clip keeps your camera easily accessible with the click of one button, featuring a metal clip that clamps to any backpack strap, belt, or bag and a quick release plate that screws into the bottom of your camera body. Genius.
I am so excited to finally add a drone to my gear kit this year. This is the exact model I’m planning to purchase, with the DJI RC Remote. The biggest selling point for this drone is how small and packable it is, while boasting a 48MP camera sensor!
