Gear Guide For Outdoor and Travel Photographers

I'm Tiffany Nguyen, a professional outdoor and adventure photographer, and I’m beyond stoked to share a curated gift guide for my fellow creators.

I put together this list of my favorite photography and videography gear for anyone looking for lightweight and quality gear while traveling. Having the right gear is essential to the artistic process, so I’m sharing the gear I’ve been using lately that works best for my lifestyle. I’ve tested many cameras, lenses, bags, and gimbals on the market — so I’m sharing my favorite items to help make your holiday shopping a little easier this year. 

Let's dive in

1. Online Landscape Photography Course

This lesson is the perfect gift for anyone looking to step up their photography game. You’ll learn how to take compelling landscape photos, how to compose a photo that tells a story, editing techniques, and more. Follow me along as I show you my favorite spots to photograph in Yosemite while showing you the ins and out of photography.

2. Sony Camera Set-Up and Shooting Guide

This lesson is the perfect gift for anyone looking to step up their photography game. You’ll learn everything you need to take compelling landscape photos, compose photos that tell a story, edit your photos like a pro, and much more. Follow along with me as I take you to my favorite spots to photograph in Yosemite while showing you the ins and outs of photography.

3. Sony Alpha 1

The Sony A1 is easily the best camera I’ve ever had. This camera can genuinely do it all, and I’ve been so happy with its performance throughout every challenging shooting situation I’ve thrown at it. This camera excels in capturing both photos and video. Its lightning-fast autofocus and the ability to take 30 frames per second have elevated my workflow and given me even more confidence when shooting in the field. It’s an absolute beast of a camera.

4. Sony 16-35mm F/2.8

This is hands down my favorite lens for landscape photography. I shoot a lot of landscapes, and having that wide field of view is essential when capturing vast natural landscapes. It’s also incredibly lightweight and pairs perfectly with any Sony Alpha camera to make a high-quality yet compact setup.

5. Sony 24-70mm F/2.8

If I could only carry one lens with me, it would be this one. Its wide focal length range makes it super versatile, so I can use it in almost any shooting situation. It also does great in low light, which is a huge bonus.

6. Sony 70-200mm F/2.8 

For photos of vast layered landscapes where you want to compress the scene, this is the perfect lens to give you the depth you’re looking for. Some of my favorite photos I’ve ever captured were taken with this lens. The depth created by this lens makes for such a unique look. I don’t usually carry it with me on long hikes, but it’s definitely in my bag when I travel because I’m always looking for new perspectives. You can grab it in 1 of 2 aperture pricing, the F/4.0 or the F/2.8.

7. Sony 35mm F/1.4 GM

I love this prime lens because it allows me much more creative control over my images by focusing on my subjects while the background is full of buttery bokeh. Packing light when I travel is crucial for me, and the compact size of this lens is hard to pass up. The wide f1.4 maximum aperture also gives me more freedom when shooting images and videos in low light conditions.

8. Moment AntiGlare CPL Filters

I always carry a circular polarizer with me because it’s essential for midday shooting to cut unwanted glare and add richness to your colors. It’s an accessory you’ll want to have whenever you’re shooting a body of water, a car, or anything that reflects a lot of light.

9. DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone

This is an ultra-lightweight drone I can take in almost any situation. Sometimes I want to capture a scene from above, and aerial photography gives you an entirely different perspective. This drone from DJI produces high-quality images and videos and is super compact, so that I can bring it with me on all my adventures.

10. DJI Osmo Mobile 6

The DJI Osmo 6 is perfect for capturing high-quality videos on your phone. It’s super easy to use and affordable, which is a plus. I’ve been using it on all my trips to get smooth video clips, and it works great as a tripod and selfie stick.

11. WANDRD PRVKE 21L 

If you’re looking for a camera bag that looks good and is functional, this is the one for you. I’ve tested many backpacks throughout my photography career and used this one for years. It comfortably fits my camera, multiple lenses, accessories, and other essentials. I love that it has an ICU and rainfly to protect my gear.

12. MTW Tote

A tote is one of the staple bags that everyone needs. I bring this one with me on my overnight trips, and I love that it can fit my laptop, camera accessories, and snacks. Also, the fact that it zips up, so nothing falls out, is a huge plus!

13. MTW Fanny Sling

This fanny pack is perfect for just about any occasion. I love carrying my essentials in here, whether I’m exploring a new city or going on a short hike with friends.

14. Moment Rugged Accessories Case

Whenever I’m packing my camera gear, I want to ensure everything has its place so it’s nicely organized. This compact case allows me to pack my gear safely with a padded interior and a hard shell exterior. I like using it to carry my drone and all of its accessories.

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