What's In My Camera Bag
People often ask what camera I use or which lens I'd recommend, but the truth is that no single piece of equipment makes a great photograph.
Over the past fifteen years, I've photographed everything from breaking news and political protests to luxury hotels, wildlife, portraits, and remote landscapes across more than 52 countries. Along the way, my gear has changed considerably and also barely changed at all. Not because newer always means better, but because different assignments require different tools.
Everything on this page is equipment I personally own, regularly use, or genuinely recommend. Some items travel with me on every assignment, while others only come out for specific projects. Rather than chasing the latest release, I tend to invest in gear that's reliable, versatile, and built to last.
Whether you're just beginning your photography journey or looking to upgrade your own setup, I hope this guide helps you spend your money wisely.
Table of Contents
Cameras
Lenses
Camera Bags
Audio Equipment
Tripods & Support
Lighting
Filters
Memory Cards & Storage
Batteries & Power
Drone Equipment
Editing Equipment
Computer & Software
Travel Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
Cameras
For me, the camera body is simply a tool. While it's easy to become caught up in specifications and endless comparisons, I've found that understanding light, composition, and storytelling matters far more than owning the newest camera on the market.
I primarily shoot on Canon equipment because it's the system I've trusted for years. I appreciate its color science, ergonomics, and reliability—especially when working long days in unpredictable environments.
Below are the camera bodies I currently use, who I think they're best suited for, and why they've earned a permanent place in my kit.
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Lenses
If I could give one piece of advice to new photographers, it would be this: invest in good lenses before buying a more expensive camera body.
A great lens can dramatically improve image quality and often stays in your kit for many years, even as camera bodies evolve. Every lens has its own strengths, and over time I've built a collection that allows me to photograph everything from intimate portraits to expansive landscapes and fast-moving news events.
These are the lenses I reach for most often and the situations where I think each one truly shines.
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Camera Bags
A good camera bag should protect your gear without making you dread carrying it.
Because my work ranges from journalism assignments and commercial shoots to international travel, I use different bags depending on where I'm going and what I'm photographing. Sometimes I need something discreet that blends into a crowd. Other times I need maximum organization or room for multiple camera bodies and lenses.
These are the bags I've relied on most over the years.
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Audio Equipment
Great visuals can only take a story so far.
As more of my work has shifted toward multimedia journalism and documentary filmmaking, high-quality audio has become just as important as photography. Interviews, ambient sound, and clear dialogue often determine whether a story feels immersive or amateur.
This section includes the microphones, recorders, and accessories I trust when capturing audio in the field.
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Tripods & Support
While I love working handheld, there are plenty of situations where stability makes all the difference.
Whether I'm filming interviews, photographing long exposures, or creating self-shot travel content, having dependable support equipment allows me to work more deliberately and consistently.
These are the tripods and accessories that have earned a permanent place in my kit.
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Lighting
Natural light will always be my favorite light.
That said, there are plenty of assignments where you simply can't control the conditions. Having compact, reliable lighting has saved countless shoots—whether photographing interiors, creating portraits, or filming after sunset.
I tend to favor lightweight equipment that's easy to travel with rather than large studio setups.
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Filters
Filters remain one of the simplest ways to improve images before they ever reach the editing stage.
From reducing reflections to slowing shutter speeds for landscapes, these are the filters I actually carry and the situations where I use each one.
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Memory Cards & Storage
Memory cards are probably the least exciting purchase you'll make as a photographer, but they're also among the most important.
I never compromise on reliability here. Losing images because of a failed memory card simply isn't worth the risk—especially when photographing assignments that can't be recreated.
Here's what I use for storage both in the field and at home.
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Batteries & Power
Few things are more stressful than watching your battery icon flash red halfway through an assignment.
Over time I've developed a simple system that helps me stay powered through long travel days, breaking news coverage, and multi-day shoots away from home.
These are the batteries, chargers, and power solutions I always carry.
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Drone Equipment
While I don't use aerial photography on every assignment, it can provide an entirely different perspective when used thoughtfully.
Rather than flying simply because I can, I see drone photography as another storytelling tool—one that can help reveal landscapes, patterns, and context that aren't visible from the ground.
Here's the drone equipment I currently use.
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Editing Equipment
The work doesn't end when I leave the field.
Editing is where thousands of photographs become a finished story. While software obviously plays an important role, having comfortable, color-accurate hardware makes long editing sessions significantly more enjoyable.
These are the tools that make up my editing workspace.
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Computer & Software
People often focus on cameras, but my computer probably sees more hours of use than any piece of equipment I own.
From editing RAW photographs and producing video to writing articles and managing thousands of image files, these are the programs and devices I rely on every day.
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Travel Accessories
Not everything in my camera bag is actually photography equipment.
Over years of traveling and reporting internationally, I've accumulated a handful of small accessories that make life significantly easier—from keeping gear organized to protecting equipment in unpredictable weather.
They're inexpensive compared to cameras and lenses, but many of them have become absolute essentials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely not.
The best camera is the one you actually bring with you. While professional equipment certainly offers advantages, creativity, patience, and an understanding of light will always matter more than owning the newest camera body.
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I generally replace gear only when it no longer meets the demands of my work or when a meaningful improvement justifies the investment. I'd much rather spend money traveling somewhere interesting to photograph than constantly buying new equipment.
Photography is one of those hobbies or professions where it's easy to believe that buying another piece of equipment will make your work better. I've certainly fallen into that trap myself.
Over time, though, I've realized that the most meaningful improvements have come from experience: traveling more, meeting new people, studying other photographers, and simply spending time making photographs.
The gear on this page has helped me document stories around the world, but it's only ever been a means to an end. If this guide helps you choose equipment with a little more confidence and leaves you with more time and money to get out and create, then it's done exactly what I hoped it would!