With two exciting trips on the horizon, I can’t contain my enthusiasm! While I eagerly await their arrival, let me share the essentials that always find a place in my travel photography backpack.

1.Camera Body: At the heart of my gear setup is my camera body, a lightweight and versatile Fuji XA3 mirrorless camera that delivers fair enough image quality and performance in various conditions. It is not my first camera, and I bought it for my travel to Asia (in 2019) because it was compact and lighter than the DSLR I had. It’s not exceptional, but it does the job, and as a famous quote says “photography has nothing to do with cameras,” but much more about who is triggering the button. It has now been about five years, and I plan to keep it for another five as camera gear can be pretty expensive. The Fujifilm X-A3 was succeeded by newer models in Fujifilm’s lineup, such as the X-A5 and X-A20, so if you are buying your gear now you may want to look for these. However, if you’re looking for an improved model.

2. Lenses: I’ve always wanted to buy a prime lens for capturing stunning portraits and achieving beautiful bokeh effects, but I keep going with my standard zoom lens for everyday versatility. When you have less room for gear and you want to capture everything from landscapes to bustling streets and candid faces, you have to make choices, and the best thing to do is to choose a versatile zoom lens.

3. Tripod: A sturdy and compact tripod is indispensable for achieving sharp, long-exposure shots, capturing landscapes in low light. I love to do night photography, and as I prioritize lightweight and portable tripods that easily fit into my backpack without adding unnecessary bulk, I opted for this Octopus Gorilla tripod.

4. Lens Filters: I don’t need my neutral density filter everywhere I go, but as it doesn’t fill much space, I carry it for when I want to increase time exposure in daylight, softening cloudy skies or waterfalls. They are perfect for landscape and nature photography and can certainly make a difference in creating blurry scenes in street photography. I’ve bought this but you may be aware of the size of your lens before you order yours.

5. Lightroom Mobile: My camera offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interaction, and while I mostly rely on my laptop for in-depth photo editing, having mobile editing software on my smartphone offers convenience and flexibility for quick adjustments on the go. I don’t like to enhance the photos much; I like them to be loyal to the original, so the Lightroom Mobile basic free plan app provides the editing tools I need to fine-tune exposure, shadows, colour balance, and composition directly from my smartphone when I’m back at the hotel at the end of a day trip.

Additional batteries and memory cards can complete the backpack. How about you, what’s in your travel backpack?

To protect your camera gear while traveling with peace of mind, consider investing in a travel insurance, such as World Nomads, which offers coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment, ensuring that you can continue capturing unforgettable moments without worry.