Sometimes I get questions from people asking what type of camera, drone, or other gear I use, so I’ve put together this list of my travel essentials to help you get started.
These aren’t all of the items I use while traveling, but they’re some of my must haves. I’m a big fan of all of these items, and I’ve had lots of experience with them over the years, but if I upgrade to something new then I’ll try to update the list as well.
This is almost everything you need to travel the world and take lots of photos and videos while doing it! If you have any questions about any of this gear, feel free to ask me!
This is my go-to camera for most of the photography I do in my travels. You can see some photo samples in my Gallery or Photo Essays, although I still have a lot to learn before I master this thing. I absolutely love this camera and the price is much lower than what you’d normally pay for a kitted out DLSR. If you’re looking for something even better, although more pricey, Fujifilm also has an upgraded X-T3 model now.
This camera bag is small and handy, so it’s easy to use on the go. I usually keep it in my backpack for an extra layer of protection, and it fits in there perfectly! It also has some spare pockets for extra batteries or SD cards.
These memory cards come in all different sizes, but I like the 64GB and 128GB versions. The 128GB card holds up to 1,500 raw photos from my camera, or more than 5,000 JPEG photos.
I’ve used almost every model of drone over the years, but the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best option on the market right now by far. It shoots high definition 4K videos and 20MP photos, and it’s surprisingly small and easy to fly.
Drone batteries typically only last about 30 minutes per charge, so it’s a good idea to bring at least one or two spares. I always keep at least 3 spares with me for when I may be doing lots of filming.
It’s a good idea to bring a couple of microSD memory cards for the drone. One 64GB card is good for about 1.5 hours of filming at 4K resolution, but you’ll want to keep a spare handy in case you forget your main card.
GoPro is king in the underwater filming category. I’m not a big fan of GoPro for other situations, but they are great for underwater photography, and prices are coming down lately.
I love this dry bag and I will probably never use another brand. The 30 liter Earth Pak bag kept my electronics safe from water in some of the most bizarre and extreme situations while island hopping in the Philippines.
This hammock folds down into a small package, making it super portable for hiking. I’ve used it with great success on some epic backpacking trips like the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii.
I love this tent so much it hurts. It’s the perfect way to travel the United States on a budget. One time I slept in this tent for 6 months and drove 20,000 miles in 8 states, hiking and filming scenic places all over the US. This tent kept me safe and dry through lots of bad storms and temperatures as low as 20 F (-6 C) in the mountains. Plus it just looks awesome!
Extra storage is important if you plan to be taking lots of photos or videos. This USB 3.0 drive is super portable (barely bigger than a smartphone) and has tons of storage.