What’s in My Bag: Travel Photography Equipment for Brand Shoots in Wild Places

May 27

Picture this: I’m balancing on a skiff in remote Alaska, my camera strapped to my chest, my pack wedged between a fuel drum and someone’s lunch cooler. The clouds are rolling in, the tide’s coming up—and I’ve got 90 seconds to get the shot.

This is not your average travel photography gig. And this? This is not your average camera bag.

As a traveling brand photographer, I often shoot in unpredictable conditions—rainy mountain trails, ocean spray, snow-covered backroads—and my travel photography equipment has to be just as rugged, versatile, and mobile as the brands I work with.

Today I’m sharing a peek inside my kit: the tools I trust to help tell powerful brand stories in unforgettable places.

The Core Photography Gear I Never Travel Without

Camera Bodies:

Canon R6-II (lightweight, fast, high-res—my workhorse)
Canon R6 as a backup (because things break, and we still need to shoot)

Lenses I Use the Most:

RF 24-70mm f/2 — my everyday hero
RF 70-200mm f/2.8 — for action, distance, and dramatic compression
RF 35mm f/1.4 — for storytelling and crisp lifestyle shots
RF 100mm macro — when the product details matter

Support Gear:

Spider Holster and Clip (save my back and keep things fast)
Lightweight carbon fiber tripod (Manfrotto or Peak Design)
Waterproof dry bag for boat shoots
Rain covers for both me and my gear

Essentials You’ll Thank Me For Later:

Extra memory cards and batteries (always)
A microfiber towel (especially after ocean spray)
Lens cleaning cloths + blower
Hand warmers + snacks (trust me)

Want to grab my travel photography Gear?

I created a page on Amazon with all the links to my favorite photography gear → Camera Gear for Traveling Photographers.

Here is a link to my Amazon Photography Storefront.

I’ll be writing another blog soon on my favorite lighting gear for the studio or on the go! But, let’s continue with camera gear…

How I Pack for the Trail, the Tarmac, and the Tides

My setup has to be:
✅ Portable
✅ Durable
✅ TSA-friendly
✅ Ready for a brand shoot in a forest, a ferry, or a fish plant

I keep most of my gear in a ThinkTank or Shimoda backpack with modular compartments, a laptop sleeve, and side access for quick lens swaps. I also travel with a Pelican case when we need to fly with more serious gear or lighting.

And yes, I always check the weather twice. (Then pack for the opposite.)

🧭 Gear I Recommend for Other Brand Photographers on the Move

Whether you’re shooting in rural towns or backcountry trails, a few things matter more than specs:

Versatility: your lens should handle both tight spaces and wide-open views
Weather resistance: both your gear and your mindset
Reliability: backup batteries, dual card slots, and gear that doesn’t quit

You don’t need everything—just the right things.

📸 Why It Matters to My Clients

Clients don’t hire me just for the final photos—they hire me because they know I’m prepared. They know I can fly to their remote fishing lodge or hike to their trail-building crew and deliver a gallery that looks effortless (even if it took a glacier crossing to get there).

Great travel photography equipment helps me stay nimble, creative, and confident no matter what the shoot throws my way.

Let’s Go Shoot in Wild Places

If your brand needs photos in a hard-to-reach place—or if you’re just tired of photographers who panic when the weather changes—I’d love to help. I specialize in brand storytelling that’s bold, outdoorsy, and built for real-life Alaska (and beyond).

📍 Want to see this gear in action on your next shoot? Let’s connect → HERE