15 Popular Travel Photography Gadgets

Travel photography is all about capturing places, people and moments. Having the perfect travel photography gadgets and gear simply helps to create stunning photographs.

When you master your photography skills, you become a storyteller. You create a feeling in your pictures in an attempt to inspire others to want to see the world because they first saw a glimpse of it through your lens.

15 Best Travel Photography Gadgets

You DO NOT need to be a professional to take stunning shots. You DO need to learn the basics through great Photography courses and acquiring quality gear and travel photography gadgets.

Professional travel photographer Tiffany Nguyen notes, “For me, it’s just one way to share my perspective on the world. I travel to different places, see the world through my lens and tell stories through photography.”

This list of essential travel photography gadgets and gear that I use will help as you begin to assemble the best photography gadgets for your skill level and budget. You can find all of these items in my Amazon Travel Gadgets and Gear Shop.

1. Camera

The best photos are not always taken with the most expensive cameras. But they sometimes help.

I began my photo journey with a Canon G-series camera (which sadly I later left on a bus in the Philippines) and then upgraded to a Canon T-series.

The T-Series cameras are great for learning how to move from Auto to Awesome in your photography skills.

My Canon T3i was perfect for learning photography and with that camera I took some of My Favorite Photos over the years. The Canon T8i is the latest in the T-series of cameras.

I love my Canon cameras, and in my beginning stages of learning, my children quickly tired of my requests for them to pose. They mastered the art of smiling for the camera and then returning to a solemn-faced pose as soon as the camera clicked.

If you have mastered using your mid-level DSLR, you might wish to upgrade to a Canon 6D Mark II or to a mirrorless camera. There will be learning curve with new buttons and features to learn, but with practice, your skills will continue to improve.

If you spend anytime on social media, you’ll soon encounter people who are passionate about their brand of camera. There has long been a debate about which camera brand is the best—Sony, Canon, Nikon, etc.

The answer? Whatever camera you have with you!!!

And nowadays, with the advances in smartphone camera technology, the best camera might just be in your back pocket!

2. Lenses

My go to lens with my Canon T3i was the Canon EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 with image stabilization. It came with me on all of my domestic and international adventures.

The drawback to upgrading from the T-series is that my Canon EF-S lenses are no longer compatible with Canon 6D Mark II.

That’s an important consideration as the travel photography hobby comes with some expensive photography gadgets and equipment!

The good news, my relatively inexpensive Canon “nifty fifty” lens—an EF lens—worked with both cameras. So, at least I had one lens I could practice with until investing in new lenses for my 6D Mark II. (Be sure to pick the nifty fifty lens suited to your brand of camera).

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens was delivered to my house a couple of weeks ago. I am looking forward to trying it out in Yosemite National Park.

Do a little research on the best lenses for portraits if that is of interest to you.

3. Camera Straps

I find that the camera strap gets hot and sweaty on my neck when I wear my camera all day long as I travel and sightsee. To ease the discomfort, I recommend investing in a softer, more colorful version. There are a few different styles you might be interested in:

Blue Woven Camera Strap

Floral Camera Strap

Vintage Fabric Camera Strap

My advice when it comes to carrying your camera? Get in the habit of ALWAYS putting the strap around your neck. When you hand the camera to someone else to take a picture, ask them to put the strap around their neck as opposed to just holding the camera free hand.

Your camera is a big investment and while you may try to be careful, accidents happen.

4. Remote Control

The Canon Wireless Remote Control is one of my favorite handy photography gadgets. It allows you to take “selfies” with your DSLr!

Or, if your hands are full holding reflectors or if you are using a tripod, you can easily set up your camera on the remote setting and enable the remote control. 

There is a specific camera setting. Be sure to set it.

I remember last Christmas trying to take pictures with my camera while it was on a tripod and thinking my remote was broken. I hadn’t remembered to change the setting on my camera! Duh.

5. Camera Bag or Travel Backpack

The North Face Women’s Recon Backpack

I have a The North Face Women’s Recon Backpack that I use when I travel with my camera. I especially love this backpack for travel in Europe. I opted for this type of bag for my camera and photography gadgets because it also has plenty of room for my iPad, iPhone, travel essentials, and carry on items. 

Plus it is designed for a woman’s body. It has a sternum strap, a waist strap, and has extra padding against my back. All important considerations if you know you will be wearing your backpack all day long as you travel and sightsee.

There is also a The North Face Recon Backpack that my husband loves for all the same reasons as well and which is a also better fit for his frame.

Want to know what I pack in my backpack as a personal travel bag? Check out My Personal Travel Bag Packing List.

Around town, a chic camera bag can be disguised to look sleek and stylish without screaming to the world “Expensive camera equipment here!!!” (The same with a nondescript backpack.)

BagSmart Camera Backpack

Brevite Jumper Photo Compact Camera Backpack

6. Camera Bag Insert

In order to use my backpack as a personal travel bag, I found a Camera Bag Insert that slips into the largest section of my backpack and allows me to carry my camera with one or two lenses, camera cleaning equipment, the charger with a backup battery, and a backpack rain cover.

The space dividers with the bag insert are changeable with velcro tabs and allow me to easily change the space as needed.

I tend to travel light even with my camera equipment and travel photography gadgets, especially since I have learned from experience that too many lenses and photography gadgets add to the weight and strain on my back.

7. Memory Cards, Backup Battery, & Charger

For many years, I have shot in JPEG format with my camera. I am learning more all of the time and will start shooting RAW this year.

To accommodate the size of RAW files, be sure to have sufficient memory in your SD Cards. I usually shoot for one to two weeks straight on vacation, and having a card (or two) with enough space is an important consideration. 

Having a backup card isn’t a bad idea either.

Not only should you have a backup SD card as part of your photography gadgets, but you should also have a back up Camera Battery along with your Battery Charger. I have never taken so many photos in a day that I have needed to change batteries while I was out and about, but I have definitely come close.

The battery and battery charger are specific to each camera style. Make sure you find the battery and charger that match your camera.

After a day of sightseeing, I make sure that both of my batteries are charged and ready to go for the next day. 

Wouldn’t you be sad to miss out on amazing photos because your camera battery died? 

8. Lens Cap Lanyard

Lenses come with a lens cap, but when you remove the cap to take pictures, you either have to hold the cap in your hand, stuff it in a pocket, or ask your travel companion to hold it for you.

To alleviate this problem, I recommend investing in a Lens Cap Lanyard to add to your photography gadgets that attaches to the lens cap on one end and the other end has an elastic loop that slips over the circumference of the lens. You never have to worry about losing the cap and can keep your hands free for the more important task of taking pictures.

Believe me, you will appreciate this handy accessory.

9. Cleaning Kit

A cleaning kit need not be huge or bulky. But you’ll definitely want this as one of your photography gadgets to remove dust and fingerprints from you lenses. I use a Lens Pen and carry microfiber cloths that I also use to clean my glasses.

10. Lens Filters

There is a debate in the photography community as to the need or value of Lens Filters. For certain types of photography, filters are essential in achieving a specific look and feel to your photos. 

I have always used a UV Protected Lens Filter on my lenses, mostly to protect the expensive lens.

I have not noticed that this filter detracts from the look of my photos. Shoot, some people don’t even use the lens cap. To each his own and you will have to decide what is important for you. This is one of the photography gadgets I use all of the time.

Be sure to purchase the correct size of filter for your lens.

11. Lens Hood

While you often hear about the “golden hours” in photography, it isn’t always practical to only shoot at the first light of the morning or in the waning hours of the evening for the best light. If you are like me, you are shooting and sightseeing all day long when you travel and need to account for the sun as best you can.

This is where the Lens Hood comes in as an important tool in your travel photography gadgets collection. 

The lens hood blocks the direct sunlight from hitting the lens and allows for taking photos in the bright light of the day.

Again, be sure to purchase the correct size for your lens.

12. Waterproof Backpack Cover

When Chris and I were exploring Florence for the first time together, the weather was not cooperative. We experienced rain all day long. That didn’t stop us from exploring!

At the first shop we stopped at, the owner created a backpack rain cover out of plastic bags to cover our backpack and keep it and the contents—my camera and photography gadgets—from getting soaked.

While Chris may have looked as though he was walking around with a huge green turtle on his back, the plastic bags saved the day.

Not long after we arrived home, we searched on Amazon and found Waterproof Backpack Covers for future rainy days.

13. Tripod

While not one of your essential travel photography gadgets, you may find that a tripod for your camera or your iPhone would come in handy for family photos, still shots, and travel photography.

You may wish to invest in a Mini Tripod that would be easily transportable.

Or a more substantial Tripod for a variety of photography situations.

The GorillaPod might be a great in between tripod if your camera and lens fit the 6.6 pound weight specification.

14. External Flash

An External Flash will come in handy for your indoor and outdoor photography when you find yourself in low-light situations. 

Once you have mastered the settings on your camera, take some time to learn this ins and outs another useful tool in your photography gadgets collection.

15. Peak Design Camera Clip

If you have traveled and explored with a DSLR camera around your neck all day long, you know it can cause a lot of neck strain. One of the best travel photography gadgets is a Peak Design Camera Clip. This backpack camera clip sure make travel easier.

The metal Peak Design Backpack Camera Clip clamps easily to any backpack strap for a secure, lockable, and convenient way to access your camera as you sightsee. Add an Arca tripod-compatible plate to your camera (included). With the push of a quick-release button, your camera then clips on and off as you need to use it as you take adventures, explore, and travel the world.

Photography Courses for Beginners, Intermediates, and Travelers

Audrey, the creative genius behind Live Snap Love, focuses on lifestyle and family portraiture; the techniques and tips for learning the basics of your camera are similar for your travel photography needs. These are the best “travel” photography courses to jumpstart your photography talents and add some pizzazz to your Italy photography.

Auto to Awesome

Enroll in Auto to Awesome

Get Organized in Lightroom Classic

Enroll in Get Organized in Lightroom Classic

Edit Like a Pro in Lightroom Classic

Enroll in Edit Like a Pro in Lightroom Classic

Mastering Natural Light

Enroll in Mastering Natural Light

The Magic of Photoshop

Enroll in The Magic of Photoshop

Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts on 15 Popular Travel Photography Gadgets

If you love to take pictures or know someone who is a photographer at heart and who LOVES to travel, consider investing in some of these travel photography gadgets, cameras, and gear.

Record the memories of your adventures and excursions around the world.

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