Going on holiday means one thing: you must pack your stuff and decide what to bring and what to leave behind. And the exact same goes for your photography gear.
Whether you go on a short city trip or a long road trip, you probably want to capture the moments you experience. You take photos for yourself as memories, to share online, or to print and give to your travel buddies.
But what do you actually bring? As a photographer who loves to travel, I have learned the hard way that overpacking is your worst enemy. Carrying a heavy backpack all day ruins the fun of taking photos and exploring a new place.
Photography essentials: what to pack in your camera bag
Obviously, the camera is the most essential piece of gear to bring with you. But building the right kit around it makes all the difference when you are exploring a new city or hiking a mountain. Here is the core of what you really need.
- The camera body: Bring a camera you are comfortable carrying all day. Mirrorless cameras are fantastic for travel because they are much lighter and more compact than older DSLRs.
- The right lenses: Choosing the right lens completely depends on the type of trip you are taking. For my street photo trips, I keep it incredibly light and pack only a 28mm and a 40mm prime lens. It forces me to be creative, gets me closer to the action, and does not intimidate people on the street. However, if I am going on a safari or a wildlife trip, I lean towards bringing a 150-600mm or a 70-200mm lens to capture animals from a safe distance. For general trips where I just want to capture a bit of everything, a versatile 24-70mm zoom lens is usually the most practical choice.
- Memory cards: Always bring more storage than you think you need. High-resolution photos take up a lot of space. Bring at least two large SD cards (or whatever you use) so you can swap them out if one gets corrupted or runs out of space.
- Batteries and chargers: The more batteries, the better. But be reasonable with what to bring. A short three-day city trip probably does not require five batteries and two terabytes of storage. Two or three batteries are usually the sweet spot for a full day of shooting.
Essential photography accessories
Some gear might seem like an extra, but it is actually crucial depending on the type of photography you plan to do. These essential photography accessories will help improve your photos in tricky situations.
- Lightweight travel tripod: If you want to shoot long exposures, capture the stars, or take sharp photos in low light, a tripod is essential. Look for carbon fiber models that fold down small enough to fit easily in a standard carry-on bag.
- Lens filters: A circular polarizer is a must-have for holiday photography. It cuts out harsh reflections on water and makes the sky look beautifully blue. A variable ND filter is also great if you want to shoot video or take long exposures of waterfalls during the day.
- Comfortable camera strap or clip: The standard neck strap that comes with your camera will start to hurt after a few hours of walking. Invest in a wide, padded shoulder strap or a camera clip that attaches directly to your backpack.
Nice to have photography gear
Don’t bring anything you already know you won’t need. It is only extra weight you have to carry around for absolutely nothing. Think about your itinerary, when you will shoot, and how you will use your gear. These items are nice to have, but you can leave them at home if you want to pack light.
- Cleaning set: A simple microfiber cloth and a small rocket blower are usually enough to keep dust off your lens while on the road.
- Laptop and external hard drive: These are great for backing up photos at the hotel, but they add significant weight to your luggage. A lightweight card reader for your phone or tablet can be a great alternative.
- Rain protection: A simple plastic rain cover can save your camera if you are traveling to a tropical destination during the wet season.
- External flash: Unless you are specifically shooting portraits at night or indoor events, you can usually leave the heavy flash at home.
Travel photography packing checklist
To make packing easier, I have put together this quick checklist. Use it before your next holiday to make sure you have exactly what you need without overpacking.
| Item category | What to pack | Priority level |
| Cameras & lenses | Camera body, versatile zoom lens, fast prime lens | High |
| Power & storage | 2-3 extra batteries, battery charger, 2+ memory cards | High |
| Support & stability | Lightweight travel tripod, comfortable camera strap | Medium |
| Filters & cleaning | Polarizer filter, ND filter, microfiber cloth, blower | Medium |
| Backup gear | Laptop, external hard drive, card reader | Low |
What gear is essential to you when you travel? Let me know in the comments below!
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