Camera<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Stephanie,](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Stephanie-in-Iceland_Photo-by-Jessica-Cohen-Kiraly-1.jpg\")
Photo by Jessica Cohen Kiraly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMany editors are looking for travel journalists who can not only write about a destination, but share original imagery to accompany their articles. Smartphones like a newer iPhone do work great in a pinch, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera can vastly improve your photo quality. (And if you can produce professional-level imagery, you can sell your stories as a package and make more money!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I use the Sony A7III<\/a> and Sony A7RIV<\/a>, and would highly recommend the former camera, or the newer A7IV<\/a>, for travel journalists who want a gadget that can grow with them. It\u2019s easy to learn with a little practice and YouTube-tutorial watching. And, it\u2019s equal parts a photo and video camera, so you can experiment with filmmaking, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSome additional beginner camera options<\/a> that are ideal for travel journalists include the Nikon Z50<\/a> and Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV<\/a>. I highly recommend mirrorless cameras for the portability, because on carry-on-only photography expeditions<\/a>, every ounce can add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLenses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Stephanie](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Stephanie-in-Iceland_Photo-by-Jessica-Cohen-Kiraly.jpg-1.jpg\")
Photo by Jessica Cohen Kiraly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce you have a camera, you\u2019ll need a good lens or two. I\u2019d recommend a zoom lens with focal ranges about 28-70mm or 24-240mm when you\u2019re starting out. This will give you room for experimentation as you hone your craft and learn what types of imagery you hope to capture more of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more you go, the more you\u2019ll add to your kit\u2014something my pocketbook is all too familiar with. I\u2019m a big fan of prime lenses because of the image crispness. I travel with a Sony a 50mm f\/1.8 lens<\/a> for food photos and portraits, a Sony 100-400mm f\/4.5-5.6<\/a> for wildlife and compressed landscape shots, a 24mm f\/1.8<\/a> for wide scenes, establishing photos, and astrophotography, and a 20mm f\/1.8<\/a> for a second astrophotography camera. (I always have two astro cameras capturing different directions of the night sky at once.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re unsure which lens is best for you, or you need, say, a big telephoto lens for a dream wildlife cruise, you can also test out lenses before buying them with a photography rental program<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAction camera<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Travel](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Travel-journalist-on-safari_Photo-by-Stephanie-Vermillion-1.jpg\")
Photo by Stephanie Vermillion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m an adventure travel journalist, and that means I need a camera that can truly withstand the elements, be it diving, trail running, or anything in between. That\u2019s why I always pack my GoPro Hero 12<\/a>. (In fact, it\u2019s what I used to shoot most of this National Geographic Travel<\/a> video; I fastened it to my helmet with this strap<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s lightweight at less than half a pound, and waterproof up to 33 feet on its own, or 196 feet with this protective housing<\/a> I use for dive trips. The image quality is impressive for a camera of this tiny size (5.3K video at up to 60p and 27 megapixel images). It\u2019s also handy for timelapse content. When I book a hotel with a good view<\/a>, I\u2019ll plug the GoPro into the wall to extend the battery life and let the camera run for hours\u2014like I did for this timelapse in Sydney, Australia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTripod<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"travel](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Photo-by-Napendra-Singh-on-Unsplash-travel-photographer-holding-a-tripod-as-he-walks-onto-shoot.jpg\")
Photo by Napendra Singh on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re hoping to do any night-sky photography, filming, or on-camera work, a tripod is an absolute must. I\u2019m a huge fan of the Peak Design Travel Tripod<\/a> because they\u2019ve thought of everything with this gadget. It\u2019s around three pounds and can hold up to 20 pounds of gear. It\u2019s also sturdy, speedy to set up, and it has a built-in attachment for your smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat said, it does come at a high price point, which can be a lot for beginners. I also use the smaller Joby GorillaPod<\/a> as a tripod for my second camera because it\u2019s so compact and easy to pack, and it gets the job done. I recommend opting for the GorillaPod with a ball head<\/a>; it\u2019s a touch more expensive, but the composition flexibility is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMemory card holder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"memory](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/samsung-memory-sd-card-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Samsung Memory on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSure, this goes without saying\u2014you need memory cards to take photos\u2014but you also need something to keep all of those little cards organized. (Otherwise you risk losing important content.) I use a memory card holder like this one<\/a> because it\u2019s sturdy enough to withstand jostling in the overhead compartment on an airplane, and it has a carabiner clip I can snap onto the inside of my pack. This gives me peace of mind that my precious footage and photography won\u2019t accidentally fall out and be lost forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother important feature is this card caddy also has space for microSD cards. Devices like the GoPro require microSDs, so you need somewhere safe to keep these, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
External SSD<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Storing](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cloud-Storage-vs-SSD-vs-HDD-The-Best-Storage-Solution-for-Creators-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhotos and videos require a ton of digital storage space. That\u2019s why I never store the RAW files (which, if you didn\u2019t know, you should be shooting in RAW<\/a> for better editing capabilities!) on an external SSD. I use the 4TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs<\/a> because they\u2019re fast and portable\u2014both essential qualities since I back up my content while I\u2019m on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile it\u2019s more expensive, I do recommend investing in the 4TB size because these files add up, especially if you\u2019re capturing video. And since I have several of these devices, I label them with tape and a Sharpie to avoid any confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Portable power bank<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Bearded](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Sustainable-Photography-trend-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll mostly find me photographing on my Sony Alpha cameras, but sometimes, like on strenuous backpacking trips, my iPhone 15 Pro Max has to get the job done. (I simply can\u2019t juggle trekking poles, a 40-pound backpacking pack, and<\/em> two cameras tethered to my chest!)<\/p>\n\n\n\nThankfully, smartphones are incredible backup cameras these days, especially with RAW photography and 4K video. The thing is, smartphones also double as maps, weather forecasters, fitness trackers, and a host of other roles. That means smartphone batteries are put through the wringer. To keep my device ready to work, I always bring at least one, sometimes two, portable phone chargers with me. (This<\/a> is a great portable option.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nCamera backpack<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AdobeStock_146001645-1024x576.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll need something to carry all of this gear, and for that, I use the Shimoda Explore V2 30 Liter backpack<\/a>. It\u2019s created by outdoor adventure photographers, for outdoor adventure photographers, and you can tell. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey\u2019ve answered so many adventure photographers\u2019 prayers. The pack has numerous pockets for staying organized and quickly accessing essentials. What I love most is that it\u2019s not just a camera backpack. There\u2019s also room for toiletries, a laptop, and other odds and ends you need as a travel journalist, like an audio recorder and notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many editors are looking for travel journalists who can not only write about a destination, but share original imagery to accompany their articles. Smartphones like a newer iPhone do work great in a pinch, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera can vastly improve your photo quality. (And if you can produce professional-level imagery, you can sell your stories as a package and make more money!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I use the Sony A7III<\/a> and Sony A7RIV<\/a>, and would highly recommend the former camera, or the newer A7IV<\/a>, for travel journalists who want a gadget that can grow with them. It\u2019s easy to learn with a little practice and YouTube-tutorial watching. And, it\u2019s equal parts a photo and video camera, so you can experiment with filmmaking, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some additional beginner camera options<\/a> that are ideal for travel journalists include the Nikon Z50<\/a> and Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV<\/a>. I highly recommend mirrorless cameras for the portability, because on carry-on-only photography expeditions<\/a>, every ounce can add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have a camera, you\u2019ll need a good lens or two. I\u2019d recommend a zoom lens with focal ranges about 28-70mm or 24-240mm when you\u2019re starting out. This will give you room for experimentation as you hone your craft and learn what types of imagery you hope to capture more of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more you go, the more you\u2019ll add to your kit\u2014something my pocketbook is all too familiar with. I\u2019m a big fan of prime lenses because of the image crispness. I travel with a Sony a 50mm f\/1.8 lens<\/a> for food photos and portraits, a Sony 100-400mm f\/4.5-5.6<\/a> for wildlife and compressed landscape shots, a 24mm f\/1.8<\/a> for wide scenes, establishing photos, and astrophotography, and a 20mm f\/1.8<\/a> for a second astrophotography camera. (I always have two astro cameras capturing different directions of the night sky at once.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re unsure which lens is best for you, or you need, say, a big telephoto lens for a dream wildlife cruise, you can also test out lenses before buying them with a photography rental program<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m an adventure travel journalist, and that means I need a camera that can truly withstand the elements, be it diving, trail running, or anything in between. That\u2019s why I always pack my GoPro Hero 12<\/a>. (In fact, it\u2019s what I used to shoot most of this National Geographic Travel<\/a> video; I fastened it to my helmet with this strap<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s lightweight at less than half a pound, and waterproof up to 33 feet on its own, or 196 feet with this protective housing<\/a> I use for dive trips. The image quality is impressive for a camera of this tiny size (5.3K video at up to 60p and 27 megapixel images). It\u2019s also handy for timelapse content. When I book a hotel with a good view<\/a>, I\u2019ll plug the GoPro into the wall to extend the battery life and let the camera run for hours\u2014like I did for this timelapse in Sydney, Australia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re hoping to do any night-sky photography, filming, or on-camera work, a tripod is an absolute must. I\u2019m a huge fan of the Peak Design Travel Tripod<\/a> because they\u2019ve thought of everything with this gadget. It\u2019s around three pounds and can hold up to 20 pounds of gear. It\u2019s also sturdy, speedy to set up, and it has a built-in attachment for your smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, it does come at a high price point, which can be a lot for beginners. I also use the smaller Joby GorillaPod<\/a> as a tripod for my second camera because it\u2019s so compact and easy to pack, and it gets the job done. I recommend opting for the GorillaPod with a ball head<\/a>; it\u2019s a touch more expensive, but the composition flexibility is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, this goes without saying\u2014you need memory cards to take photos\u2014but you also need something to keep all of those little cards organized. (Otherwise you risk losing important content.) I use a memory card holder like this one<\/a> because it\u2019s sturdy enough to withstand jostling in the overhead compartment on an airplane, and it has a carabiner clip I can snap onto the inside of my pack. This gives me peace of mind that my precious footage and photography won\u2019t accidentally fall out and be lost forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important feature is this card caddy also has space for microSD cards. Devices like the GoPro require microSDs, so you need somewhere safe to keep these, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Photos and videos require a ton of digital storage space. That\u2019s why I never store the RAW files (which, if you didn\u2019t know, you should be shooting in RAW<\/a> for better editing capabilities!) on an external SSD. I use the 4TB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs<\/a> because they\u2019re fast and portable\u2014both essential qualities since I back up my content while I\u2019m on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s more expensive, I do recommend investing in the 4TB size because these files add up, especially if you\u2019re capturing video. And since I have several of these devices, I label them with tape and a Sharpie to avoid any confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll mostly find me photographing on my Sony Alpha cameras, but sometimes, like on strenuous backpacking trips, my iPhone 15 Pro Max has to get the job done. (I simply can\u2019t juggle trekking poles, a 40-pound backpacking pack, and<\/em> two cameras tethered to my chest!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, smartphones are incredible backup cameras these days, especially with RAW photography and 4K video. The thing is, smartphones also double as maps, weather forecasters, fitness trackers, and a host of other roles. That means smartphone batteries are put through the wringer. To keep my device ready to work, I always bring at least one, sometimes two, portable phone chargers with me. (This<\/a> is a great portable option.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need something to carry all of this gear, and for that, I use the Shimoda Explore V2 30 Liter backpack<\/a>. It\u2019s created by outdoor adventure photographers, for outdoor adventure photographers, and you can tell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ve answered so many adventure photographers\u2019 prayers. The pack has numerous pockets for staying organized and quickly accessing essentials. What I love most is that it\u2019s not just a camera backpack. There\u2019s also room for toiletries, a laptop, and other odds and ends you need as a travel journalist, like an audio recorder and notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLenses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Action camera<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tripod<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Memory card holder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
External SSD<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPortable power bank<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCamera backpack<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n