Many of you have reached out to me and asked about my camera gear, how I was able to take a photo of myself when I was traveling alone in New Zealand (and everywhere else). So, I decided to put together the ultimate travel photography guide for people who want to travel light without sacrificing the ability to capture amazing photos. Let's begin, shall we?
First, let me explain what kind of traveler I am so you can decide whether this guide is for you or not. I am a solo traveler who enjoys hiking mountains and prefers to travel light. I am also a photographer and filmmaker, so this guide will focus on lightweight yet powerful photography gear.
Keep in mind that this list might not work for every traveler, but the gear mentioned here is what works best for me during the past 3 years of traveling. Below are all the photography equipment I have in my daypack at all times.
Cameras
Sony RX100 M3
Sony RX100 M3 is what I use as my primary camera. Believe it or not, most of the photos and videos I have taken were from this little compact camera. Don't underestimate its size though because Sony RX100 M3 packs quite a punch under its small body. It captures sharp images of up to 20 megapixels while sporting a Zeiss lens with 24mm wide-angle shooting and a large aperture. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder, which you won't find in any other compact camera out there. To top it all off, it also shoots RAW and allows a certain amount of manual control for those wanting to shoot manually, all in a body that fits inside my side pockets.
How much control did you ask for? Well, I was able to take a photo of the Milky Way with it.
Since this camera is literally in my pocket all the time, I have been able to capture moments that I would not have been able to with a big camera. To give you an example, imagine carrying your DSLR camera to a night out with friends at a local bar. It doesn't sound like you would have much fun with that big camera around your neck all the time, does it?
Trust me, RX100 M3 is the way to go if you hate traveling with your bulky DSLR.
GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition
I used a GoPro camera only when I wanted to shoot some action footage, water activities, and timelapses. With all the accessories GoPro has, I was able to capture stunning photos and videos in places where my primary camera cannot go, like underwater or on top of my head while biking. I also use GoPro to shoot timelapses so that my primary camera is free to take other photos while the GoPro does all the work.
Buy GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition ($399)Accessories
A light-weight Tripod
A lot of people ask me how I was able to take a photo of myself when I am traveling alone. Here's the answer for you: I use a tripod. With a combination of this, a timer functionality, and me running tirelessly, I was able to capture many stunning photos of myself with the landscape I want. Usually, a tripod is heavy equipment, but due to the size and weight of the Sony RX100 M3, a lightweight tripod was more than enough to get the job done.
Buy the light-weight Tripod ($10.99)Spare Batteries for Sony RX100 M3
Due to its small body and the beast mode it enables, the Sony RX100 M3, the battery life can be crappy at times. With heavy usage, it can barely last a whole day, so I carry an extra battery just in case. Additionally, when hiking, the cold weather can drain the battery pretty fast, so it helps to have a fully charged battery as a backup for when it is needed.
Buy NP-BX1 Battery for Sony RX100 M3 ($34.94)2 x 64GB SD Cards
I shoot everything in RAW (photos) and XACV-S (videos) format, which takes up a lot of space. Therefore, having a few SD cards with large capacity is necessary. I have found that I can go for almost a month traveling before filling up an SD card, so 2-3 cards are usually enough for a 3-month trip.
Buy 64GB SD Cards ($18.94)A 3-way stick for GoPro
A 3-way stick is a GoPro accessory that acts as a tripod, a monopod, and a grip for GoPro cameras. I used this to capture the crazy stunts that I do from several angles. The stick can also be converted into a small tripod that I can use to take timelapses.
Buy a 3-way stick for GoPro ($42.14)A Headstrap for GoPro
I love using this with my GoPro when I am doing extreme sports. It allows me to capture action shots without having my hands occupied. This, along with the GoPro wide-angle lens, is perfect for capturing action shots in situations where you need to interact with the environment, such as biking and kayaking.
Should I get a chest strap or a head strap, you asked? For me, I chose the head strap because with it, I don't have to turn my whole body to show the viewers what I am seeing, like you have to with a chest strap. I just have to turn my head, and that is it.
The Frame Mount for GoPro
The waterproof housing is good for when there is water involved, but when there's no water and you want to capture sharp footage on a clear day, the waterproof housing can create an annoying "glow" effect (due to the reflection of the light and the transparent housing) that can ruin your footage. That is where The Frame Mount comes in. The Frame Mount is basically a GoPro mount without the housing, and I use it most of the time with my GoPro when I don't plan to go anywhere near water. The mount is also much lighter to carry than the waterproof housing.
Buy a The Frame Mount for GoPro ($22.93)
Other
WD My Passport Portable External Hard drive (2 TB)
I have 2 identical My Passport HDs, each with 2TB, to back up my photos and videos. One accompanies me on the road, while the other remains safe at home. I recently had the unfortunate experience of having my bag, along with my external HD, stolen in Germany, Cologne. It was a difficult lesson learned, which is why I now have two HD backups, and you should too.
Buy Western Digital My Passport HD ($89)Herschel Supply Little America Daypack
Last but not least, the thing I can't live without is my Navy Blue Herschel Supply's backpack, which I use to carry all this gear with me all the time. Why Herschel Supply? Well, first, it is stylish as hell, and secondly, the capacity is more than enough to carry all this gear I mentioned, plus a jacket, a laptop, some snacks, water bottles, and finally, a good book, which is all I need for a great hike in the mountains.
Buy Herschel Supply Little America backpack ($99)Total Cost: US$ 1529.94
Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:
Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:
- Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
- For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
- Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
- Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
- If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
- Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
- Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
- Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here’s my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera
- Picking a camera body is one thing. Picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
- Looking for the best street and travel photography lens? Here is why Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the best travel photography lens for Sony APS-C.
- GoPro is good and all, but did you know that there are many other GoPro alternatives that are better and cheaper? Here are the 8 Best GoPro Alternatives You Should Buy in 2025.
- If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
- For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
- Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
5 Comments
There's always someone doing the dumb question, and this time, it's me!
When you say you carry 2 external hd, and you 'leave one at home' I assume you mean whichever hostel you might be in?
It's true that unfortunately I do not have the same needs you do here, but, on a 3month trip I normally use about 4x32GB sdcards (about 15k photos and maybe 30min in total of video footage). I do bring an external hd to do backups but I never delete from the original SD. I'm too afraid haha
Oh sorry, I meant I left it at home home as a backup. :) That's a good advice, to carry more SD card so that at least you have to 2 backups, on your on-the-go HD and the SD card. :)
Great article! Read it only 4 years later but still highly relevant. May I find out more from you how do you get the camera focus to be on you, when you have to set off the timer on the camera then run to the spot where you wanna be photographed at? i.e. there will be nothing to focus on at the spot cause you are still behind the camera when you press the shutter button.
Hey Blake, when there's nothing to focus, the camera will focus on the landscape which increases the aperture to infinity which will put everything in the frame in focus hence I am in focus when I put in on timer and a tripod. :) I hope this helps!
Hi Pete,
Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately I still don't quite understand. Doesn't it depend on the aperture? Even if you are focus on the landscape/ infinity, at say even f8.0, when you later get in the frame at around 8 feet from the camera, won't you be out of focus cause you are no where near the background?
Happy to take this offline with you if it's going to be a lengthy discussion! :) let me know if I can reach you via email.