Photography gear I use and recommend

The gear you use can make or break your photography experience. I focus on mostly lightweight, reliable tools that work anywhere. The go with me from the streets to nature and all around. Some or all of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend what I actually use and trust. Consider making a purchase using the links below to support me.

Camera bodies

When it comes to travel and street photography, the camera body you choose makes all the difference. I use three mirrorless cameras that cover almost every situation I run into on the road. The Canon EOS R5 is my main camera when I want professional-level image quality and large prints, and while it’s bigger than some models, it’s still manageable for travel. The Nikon Z50 is a versatile option with great performance in a lighter package, making it a solid choice for travelers who want one camera that does it all. For pure street photography, the Ricoh GR III is hard to beat. Its compact size means I can carry it anywhere—even into concerts or venues where larger cameras aren’t allowed—without sacrificing image quality. If you’re searching for the best travel cameras, mirrorless setups like these balance portability, quality, and reliability wherever you go.

Lenses

For travel and street photography, I rely on compact, versatile lenses that deliver quality without weighing me down. These lenses won’t get you close enough for serious wildlife photography, but for travel, portraits, landscapes, and street scenes, they strike the right balance of portability and performance.

  • On my Canon, the 28mm is my go-to for walking through city streets, capturing everyday moments, and creating visual stories with character. The 24-105mm adds flexibility for portraits and landscapes when I want more range.

  • On my Nikon, the 16-50mm is a perfect walkaround lens I’ve used extensively on trips to Rome and Cuba, while the 50-250mm gives me extra reach for portraits or details without adding much bulk to my bag.

Storage

Storage is one of the most overlooked parts of a travel photography kit, and I’ve learned the hard way why it matters. I’ve run out of space on an SD card in the middle of an air show, missing shots I couldn’t get back. On another trip, I left my SSD at home and realized I was risking losing every photo if something happened to my camera. Since then, I always carry high-speed SD cards and a portable SSD to back up my work daily. The SanDisk and Samsung drives are fast, reliable, and compact enough to slip into any bag. If you want peace of mind while traveling, invest in extra cards and at least one portable SSD—it’s a small step that can save your entire trip’s worth of photos.

Accessories + more

There’s a lot to unpack here, including the bag I carry everything in:

  • Camera bag – Nomatic’s Peter McKinnon Sling. Durable and big enough for essentials but still compact for travel days. And looks great!

  • Adobe Lightroom subscription – the editing software I use to organize, edit, and back up EVERY photo.

  • Extra batteries and chargers (respective brand)– I always pack more than I think I’ll need since shooting in cold weather or long days drains power quickly.

  • Mini tripod – Manfrotto’s version is perfect for street photography, low-light shots, or self-portraits when traveling solo.

  • Card reader and adapters – makes transferring and backing up files faster, especially when only traveling with your phone.

  • Lens wipes and cleaning kit – keeping glass dust-free is critical, especially when shooting outdoors.