*Later in this post I share a few affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase, at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support!*

I love reading about the gear that other travel bloggers use to take amazing photos.

But I’m not a professional photographer, and most gear guides are full of very expensive equipment.

For so long, I was stuck between knowing that I’d outgrown my smartphone for travel photos, but feeling like expensive gear was a mismatch with my skill level.

A FEW MONTHS BACK, I FINALLY PURCHASED A FEW ESSENTIAL PIECES OF PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR.

Suddenly, my photos are crisper, better composed, and overall more aesthetically pleasing.

I’M FINALLY TAKING THE KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHS THAT I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO CAPTURE.

Even better, I’m using equipment that is easy for me to understand as a beginner, while still offering semi-advanced features that allow me to learn as I go.

If you’re also looking to level up your travel photography, then read on to learn about the gear that I chose, why I settled on each item, and how it’s improved my photos.

My Travel Photography Gear: How To Take Better Photos

Why Having The Right Travel Photography Gear Matters

I used to rely on my smart phone for all my travel photos.

iPhones are quick and convenient, and over the last five years it seems as though the only thing improving on each new model is the quality of the camera.

SO WHY WEREN’T MY IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHS AS AESTHETICALLY PLEASING AS I WANTED THEM TO BE?

I found that my photos often looked rushed, distracted, or a little flat compared to what I was seeing in real life.

Don’t get me wrong — smartphones are unrivaled in capturing quick, of the moment snapshots.

But they are also multi-purpose tech objects with email, text, and app notifications that can distract even the most focused photographer.

Part of the reason I wanted to buy a dedicated camera for travel photography was to escape the distractions of shooting with my iPhone.

If I was going to take my photos seriously, then I needed to slow down, pay attention, and actually see the world around me.

It was about being more intentional with my shots.

Once I started taking photos with a dedicated camera, the results immediately looked better.

How Gear Impacts Your Travel Photos

My primary goal was escaping the distractions of taking photos with a smartphone.

But better gear impacts your travel photos in more meaningful ways, too:

You’ll have more control over light, focus, and sharpness.
You can shoot in a wider range of conditions (think low light or bright sun).
You can zoom with optical lenses instead of relying on digital zoom, so faraway details like spires, mountain peaks, or statues stay crisp and clear.
You’ll be able to create depth of field (that softly blurred background behind your subject) for portraits, food shots, or architectural details that really stand out.

It’s a sublet switch from taking quick snapshots on a smartphone to capturing real photos that you’ll be proud of for years to come.

CTA Graphics for Summary Blocks

My Essential Travel Photography Gear List

When I started shopping for a camera, I knew right away that I wanted a DSLR rather than a mirrorless model.

As a beginner, I wasn’t ready to invest in the higher price tags of newer mirrorless systems, which often cost significantly more for both the camera body and lenses.

DSLRS ALSO HAVE A SLIGHTLY LARGER, STURDIER BODY.

I actually like these, though, since I’d seen them in the hands of travelers and photographers for more than a decade before finally buying one myself.

Maybe it was a bit of nostalgia, but I wanted that classic feel of a “real” camera in my hands.

Mirrorless models are lighter and more compact, but DSLRs still give you excellent image quality, optical viewfinders, and a wide range of affordable lenses, especially on the secondhand market.

KNOWING I DIDN’T WANT TO OVERSPEND AS A BEGINNER, I ULTIMATELY CHOSE TO BUY A USED DSLR.

And I haven’t regretted that decision.

Camera Body and Lenses

I use the Nikon D3500 DSLR with the Nikkor DX 18-55mm f/3.5–5.6 VR lens.

It’s a great beginner-friendly camera — lightweight, intuitive, and budget-conscious compared to bigger DSLR setups.

The Nikon D3500 is discontinued, but there are excellent options on the market if you’re looking for something similar.

The Nikon D5600 is the natural successor to the D3500, with many of the same beginner-friendly features plus a flip-out touchscreen and built-in connectivity for easy photo transfers.
Another great choice is the Canon EOS Rebel T7, a lightweight DSLR that’s simple to use and very beginner-friendly.

I considered both of these cameras before ultimately opting for the D3500.

Lenses are one of the most important parts of any camera setup because they give you flexibility and creative control over your photos.

The right lens can completely change the look of an image, whether you’re capturing sweeping landscapes, tight architectural details, or intimate portraits.

THAT 18–55MM LENS GIVES ME FLEXIBILITY TO SHOOT WIDE-ANGLE CITYSCAPES OR ZOOM IN ON ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS WITHOUT CHANGING LENSES CONSTANTLY.

The built-in vibration reduction helps with handheld shots, which is 90% of my travel photography.

I’m also looking to add a 50mm portrait lens to my kit in the future.

A prime lens like this creates a soft depth of field and beautiful bokeh, making it perfect for portraits, food photography, or any shot where you want the subject to pop against a blurred background.

ALONGSIDE MY DSLR, I ALSO USE THE DJI OSMO POCKET 3 FOR VIDEOS AND VLOGGING.

What makes it so special is the built-in 3-axis stabilizing gimbal, which keeps footage smooth even when I’m walking through crowded streets.

This tiny, stabilized video camera is perfect for capturing cinematic travel clips without any bulky set-up.

It’s beginner-friendly enough that I don’t need advanced skills to get great video results.

I purchased the Creator Pack, which comes with a snap-on wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene, an extra battery for longer filming days, a tripod base for handsfree shooting, and even a DJI lav mic — a huge upgrade for clear audio while vlogging.

Between these two cameras, I have everything I need to capture great still photography and high-quality travel videos for my Youtube Channel.

Travel Tripod Options

A tripod is a must for solo travelers who want to take photos with themselves in the frame.

I travel with a compact, lightweight tripod that works for both my DSLR and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, thanks to its universal screw mount.

Lots of travel tripod kits include interchangeable bases, with a standard screw mount for cameras, and a spring-loaded phone mount (often called a squeeze or clamp mount) for smartphones.

EVEN THOUGH IT’S A SMALL, COLLAPSIBLE TRIPOD, IT USUALLY REQUIRES CARRYING A BACKPACK.

For that reason, I usually only take this out on days when I’m getting a specific shot, rather than carrying it around with me all the time.

Filters, Batteries, and Memory Cards

Extra gear can be the difference between catching an amazing shot or missing it.

I ALWAYS CARRY AN EXTRA SD CARD AS WELL AS A SPARE BATTERY FOR MY DSLR.

More advanced photographers might bring lens filters, like UV or polarizing filters, for cutting glare, but I don’t use these.

More than anything else, be sure to pack all of your charging gear — I quickly found out in Lisbon that you can’t just easily buy a replacement battery charger.

Photography Gear Backpacks and Bags

The type of bag you choose makes a big difference in how often you actually bring your camera with you.

Camera backpacks are great for heavier gear and come with padded compartments for multiple lenses.

But the convenience of backpacks is often outweighed by, well, their weight.

I find they get really heavy while walking 20,000 plus steps a day.

THIS IS WHY I THINK THAT CAMERA SLING BAGS ARE THE BETTER CHOICE FOR TRAVEL.

Sling bags are smaller and designed to be worn across your body, giving you quick, easy access to your camera without having to take the whole bag off your back.

That convenience means you’re more likely to pull out your camera for a quick shot instead of defaulting to your phone.

They’re also lighter, less bulky, and easier to keep secure in crowded areas.

CTA Graphics for Summary Blocks

Photography Tips For Better Travel Shots

One of my favorite things about upgrading my travel photography gear is that I feel like I’m finally getting serious about learning photography.

Here are some of the beginner photography tips that I’ve been living by since starting to get serious a few months ago.

Composition Techniques

Composition refers to what is included in a shot.

For traveling photographers, composition is about how you arrange visual elements like buildings, monuments, and other interesting details into each shot.

Simple composition techniques go a long way:

Rule of Thirds: Imagine a grid over your photo — placing your subject off-center makes the image feel more dynamic.
Leading Lines: Use streets, staircases, or bridges to draw the eye toward your subject.
Foreground Interest: Add depth by including something in the foreground, like flowers or a café table.

Composition has nothing to do with advanced camera knowledge.

You can use the above tips to make your iPhone photos better, too.

Light and Time of Day

LIGHTING IS THE SECRET TO GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY.

Here are two easy rules I follow:

Golden Hour: Shoot in the hour after sunrise or before sunset for soft, flattering light.
Avoid Midday Sun: Harsh overhead light flattens everything — so if you’re sightseeing at noon, look for shaded streets or indoor shots instead.
Avoid Backlit Images: If the sun is behind a building or monument that you want to capture, chances are it will be backlit. Light overwhelms the frame, rendering the image in darkness.

Even as a beginner, being mindful of light will give your photos that professional-looking edge.

Create a Shot List

As much as I enjoy spontaneous photos, it’s also a good idea to create a shot list.

This is a list that professional photographers create of all the photographs that they want to capture during a shoot.

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed or distracted during the day, only to later find that you didn’t take a single photo of the Eiffel Tower despite being near it all day.

BY CREATING A SHOT LIST, YOU’RE MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE PHOTOS THAT YOU WANT TO COME HOME WITH, AND ACTUALLY ENSURE THAT YOU GET THE SHOT.

I usually create my travel shot list on the Notes app on my phone, and then check off each shot as I capture it.

CTA Graphics for Summary Blocks

Conclusion

The best travel photography gear doesn’t have to be the most expensive or complicated.

For me, moving from an iPhone-only approach to using a simple DSLR setup was a game-changer.

It slowed me down, helped me notice details, and gave me photos that I’m proud to print for framing and share here on my blog, Instagram, and even Youtube.

IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT, DON’T WORRY ABOUT BUYING EVERYTHING AT ONCE.

Start with a reliable camera body and a versatile lens, and then explore!

You’ll already see a huge difference in the quality of your travel photos.

I think photos are one of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your travels.

And with the right gear and a little intention, you’ll bring home images that truly capture the magic of your trip.

Until next time,

Angela 📸

PLANNING A VACATION?

When you book through my links, you help support the site — at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for being a part of the Notes From Here journey! ❤️

💃 Book Tours and Experiences with Viator

🛎️ Find Hotels with Booking.com

🚗 Find a Rental Car with Discover Cars