The Best Photography Equipment for Traveling

Are you taking your photography hobby or gig on the road for the first time? Whether for business or pleasure, a traveling photographer needs the right equipment. Traveling often means you have limited space and weight requirements, which will have an affect on what photography equipment you can bring along. 

When you’re packing for your trip, consider including the following travel photography gear. 

Lightweight Camera

Do you have a favorite camera you use for your photo shoots? How heavy is it? Having a camera that isn’t too heavy for traveling is important. A heavy camera will be a pain to lug around, and it will add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you’re flying. Consider packing a lightweight camera that is versatile enough to fulfill all of your photography needs on your journey. 

Variety of Lenses

Depending on the type of photos you plan to take, you will likely need a few different lenses to capture the images you want. Consider your photography goals during your travels and be sure to include lenses that will allow you to get the shots you desire. Include a long range lens and/or a close range lens depending on your needs. If you’re going to be photographing people, include a portrait lens. To minimize the amount of equipment you’ll be taking along, choose lenses that are versatile enough to handle multiple purposes. 

Tripod 

You may want a lightweight tripod to set up your camera for specific shots. Find one that collapses down to a compact size for your luggage or carry-on bag. 

Computer or Tablet

Besides just the camera and lens equipment you’ll need, you may want to consider bringing a laptop or tablet to edit your photos as you go. You may also want to download your photos to a computer periodically along the way to free up memory on your camera and storage cards. A computer also allows you to immediately post your photos to social media or blogs to keep your followers up to date on your travels. 

Plenty of Memory

You can never have too much memory for photos. Bring plenty of SD cards, thumb drives, external hard drives, or whatever you prefer to use for file storage. You don’t want to miss an amazing photo opportunity due to lack of storage space. 

Backpack Case

If you’re going to be taking your equipment along for your excursions, it helps to have a backpack case that can hold everything you need for a day trip. You’ll have an easier time carrying a backpack down streets, trails, and on multiple forms of transportation. 

Chargers and Batteries 

Make sure you pack all of the chargers you need for every device or piece of equipment you’re bringing. If anything takes batteries, pack extras or rechargeable batteries, especially if you’ll be in a foreign country where typical sizes of batteries may be scarce. Also consider outlet adapters for international travel. 

Lighting Equipment

If you’re going to be setting up photo shoots that need more than natural light, bring lighting equipment with you. This is especially important if you’ll be photographing people or taking portraits. 

Rain Protection

At the very least, make sure your carrying case is waterproof before you head out. In addition, if you don’t want the rain to ruin your shots or damage your camera, get a rainsleeve that allows you to take pictures in wet conditions. 

Lens Cleaning Supplies

On a related note, in case your camera lens gets dirty, you’ll want cleaning supplies such as lens wipes and a microfiber cloth. 

Ask a Professional 

Are you taking your photography hobby or gig on the road for the first time? Whether for business or pleasure, a traveling photographer needs the right equipment. Traveling often means you have limited space and weight requirements, which will have an affect on what photography equipment you can bring along. 

When you’re packing for your trip, consider including the following travel photography gear. 

Lightweight Camera

Do you have a favorite camera you use for your photo shoots? How heavy is it? Having a camera that isn’t too heavy for traveling is important. A heavy camera will be a pain to lug around, and it will add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you’re flying. Consider packing a lightweight camera that is versatile enough to fulfill all of your photography needs on your journey. 

Variety of Lenses

Depending on the type of photos you plan to take, you will likely need a few different lenses to capture the images you want. Consider your photography goals during your travels and be sure to include lenses that will allow you to get the shots you desire. Include a long range lens and/or a close range lens depending on your needs. If you’re going to be photographing people, include a portrait lens. To minimize the amount of equipment you’ll be taking along, choose lenses that are versatile enough to handle multiple purposes. 

Tripod 

You may want a lightweight tripod to set up your camera for specific shots. Find one that collapses down to a compact size for your luggage or carry-on bag. 

Computer or Tablet

Besides just the camera and lens equipment you’ll need, you may want to consider bringing a laptop or tablet to edit your photos as you go. You may also want to download your photos to a computer periodically along the way to free up memory on your camera and storage cards. A computer also allows you to immediately post your photos to social media or blogs to keep your followers up to date on your travels. 

Plenty of Memory

You can never have too much memory for photos. Bring plenty of SD cards, thumb drives, external hard drives, or whatever you prefer to use for file storage. You don’t want to miss an amazing photo opportunity due to lack of storage space. 

Backpack Case

If you’re going to be taking your equipment along for your excursions, it helps to have a backpack case that can hold everything you need for a day trip. You’ll have an easier time carrying a backpack down streets, trails, and on multiple forms of transportation. 

Chargers and Batteries 

Make sure you pack all of the chargers you need for every device or piece of equipment you’re bringing. If anything takes batteries, pack extras or rechargeable batteries, especially if you’ll be in a foreign country where typical sizes of batteries may be scarce. Also consider outlet adapters for international travel. 

Lighting Equipment

If you’re going to be setting up photo shoots that need more than natural light, bring lighting equipment with you. This is especially important if you’ll be photographing people or taking portraits. 

Rain Protection

At the very least, make sure your carrying case is waterproof before you head out. In addition, if you don’t want the rain to ruin your shots or damage your camera, get a rainsleeve that allows you to take pictures in wet conditions. 

Lens Cleaning Supplies

On a related note, in case your camera lens gets dirty, you’ll want cleaning supplies such as lens wipes and a microfiber cloth. 

Ask a Professional 

The above traveling photography equipment is recommended by Dani Weiss, professional photographer in Atlanta, Georgia. Dani has more than 30 years of photography experience and has traveled extensively throughout the world. Her services include family portraits, corporate photography, event photography, and more. Contact Dani Weiss to schedule a photo session today.