When it comes to creating stunning travel content, the right camera gear can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve refined my kit to include only the essentials that consistently deliver high-quality results. In this post, I’ll walk you through the equipment I trust for capturing both breathtaking photos and dynamic videos. Whether you’re a fellow content creator or just curious about the tools behind the scenes, this guide will give you insight into the gear that helps me tell my visual stories.
YOUR PHONE! It’s so easy to overlook the potential of what’s already in your pocket, especially as a new creator who might feel the pressure to measure up to others. But don’t underestimate it—your phone is a powerful tool that’s always within reach. Whether you’re snapping quick photos, shooting on-the-go videos, or experimenting with different apps, your phone can help you create amazing content without needing all the fancy gear right away. Plus, it’s a great way to practice and develop your style before diving into more complex equipment.
DJI Mini Osmo Pocket 3 has been a game-changer I didn’t realize I needed. At a recent travel creator conference in Portland, I heard countless fellow creators rave about this device, and it’s easy to see why. As someone with just over a year of experience, I still get anxious creating content in public, and using a large, cumbersome camera only adds to the stress. The Pocket 3, however, fits comfortably in my hand, making it incredibly easy to handle. One of its standout features is the ability to switch from POV to selfie mode with just a tap—without interrupting your recording. Oh, and the internal stabilization! The video quality is outstanding, and it also takes impressive photos. Example of content I created with this!
Memory Cards might not be the most exciting part of your gear, but trust me, they’re the unsung heroes of content creation. When you’re out there capturing epic moments, the last thing you want is to run out of storage or deal with a sluggish card that can’t keep up. I always make sure to have a few reliable, high-speed memory cards on hand. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to carry, but they pack a serious punch when it comes to holding all those high-res photos and videos. Don’t skimp on these little guys—they’re essential for keeping your creative flow going smoothly.
SD Card Reader I’ve learned the hard way that relying on slow transfers or unstable connections can seriously mess with your workflow. A good SD card reader speeds things up and makes it super easy to get your photos and videos off your camera and onto your laptop or phone. It’s small, portable, and a total must-have for anyone who’s serious about content creation.
The Anker Portable charger has been my knight in shining armor. If I had this as a first time traveler and as a new content creator, I would have been able to save a lot of times and saved myself a lot of disappointment. I’ve been in situations where my cell phone was dead or I showed up to create content and I forgot to charge the battery of a camera; leaving with me to only get a few minutes to record/shoot.
A good starter tripod for my phone was what got me started. For $15, I suddenly had the freedom to go hands-free and get creative with my shots. No more awkward balancing my phone off inanimate objects or limiting myself to POV angles—I could finally capture different perspectives and elevate my content. It might seem like a small investment, but that little tripod opened up so many possibilities and made filming so much easier. If you’re just starting out, this is a great item that won’t break the bank but will definitely level up your content
The DJI Mini Pro 3 Pro has become my go-to gadget for capturing those epic aerial shots that really make my content stand out. Before drones were a thing, I used to set up my camera on a tripod with an interval timer and remote to get the perfect shot. While that worked well for some scenes, there were always those angles I just couldn’t reach. That’s where the Mini 3 Pro came in. Don’t be fooled by its small size—this little drone is loaded with features like a 4K camera and a rock-solid gimbal. It’s compact enough to slip into my bag and is ready to go whenever I want a bird’s-eye view of stunning landscapes or cityscapes. Whether I’m flying over mountains or gliding above the ocean, the Mini 3 Pro consistently captures incredible footage with minimal effort. It’s on the pricier side of this list, but the more you evolve as a content creator, you may want to push your creative limits and this may be the device to help you do so. Example of content I created with it!
Honorable mention: A 24-70mm lens. I find that this covers pretty much all the depths [landscape, portrait] that I want when I take travel photos.