What’s in My Camera Bag? My Go-To Adventure Photography Setup in 2025

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Ever wonder what camera gear I lug up mountains, through airports, and at bucket list events around the world? 

As a travel photographer and full-time adventurer, I’ve tested my gear everywhere and pushed it to the limits!

I often get the question, “Seriously…what do you shoot with?” Well, I’ve heard you and mermaids don’t gate keep. 

This isn’t a “you need this to be good” kind of post.

This is just a peek inside my backpack and what I actually use, love, and trust to capture those once-in-a-lifetime bucket list moments.

Let’s dive in (pun 100% intended). 🌊📸

Camera Bodies

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

This is my main beast!

Seriously, if I could medically infuse this camera with my hand bones, I would.

It’s my go-to for professional shoots, long hikes, and anytime I want tack-sharp detail and buttery depth of field. 

The 5D IV might not be the newest on the market, but it’s a workhorse. It’s weather-sealed, durable, and delivers those delicious full-frame tones that make editing pure joy.

One of my favorite moments with this camera was at the Albuquerque International Ballon Festival! I took photos with my phone and they weren’t even comparable. 

I use it for: landscapes, wildlife, low light, and anything that deserves the full-frame treatment.

Canon EOS M50 Mark II

This is my light and mighty travel companion! 

Although technically retired, when I need to pack small or vlog on the go, the M50 Mark II is my best friend. 

It’s compact, mirrorless, and handles beautifully for YouTube videos or spontaneous moments where the 5D would be overkill.

Where haven’t I gone with this camera? I’ve hiked through the Grand Canyon with this camera, spilled an Italian meatball on the lens in Florence, and even took it kayaking in Alaska (and got an epic photo of a wild bald eagle)! 

I use it for: travel vlogs, behind-the-scenes clips, and lightweight hiking days.

Read More – I actually put these two cameras head to head and wrote about my experience if you want to compare! You can read all about it 👉 in this guide.

Travel Lenses I Love & Use

For the Canon 5D Mark IV

24–105mm f/4

My all-around adventure lens. The versatile, sharp, and covers everything from sweeping landscapes to quick portraits.

I have taken this lens everywhere and photographed everything from landscapes to busy European cities. 

You can get it on it’s own or with the camera body.

100–400mm f/4.5–5.6

My 100-400mm lens is my secret weapon for wildlife and far-off details (hello, hot air balloons and moon shots!). It’s heavy but totally worth the reach.

This lens is an absolute beast for wildlife photography! I once took a picture of the tiger and got so close you could see his iris! 

50mm f/1.8 (“nifty fifty”)

The tiny lens that packs a punch. Great for portraits, detail shots, or whenever I want that creamy bokeh background.

Once I took this lens to a museum while traveling and photographed some wildlife dioramas.

That f/1.8 really packed a punch and gave some of the creamiest blur I’ve ever gotten!

If you want this lens, I would get this one specifically because the price is absolutely ridiculous for what you get! I thought they had the price wrong…

For the Canon M50 Mark II

15–45mm f/3.5-6.3

This is surprisingly solid for such a compact lens! I use the 15-45mm when traveling light or vlogging in tight spaces.

Kit lenses don’t get the best reputation. But honestly, this baby slays. It is also my widest lens I own. 

55–200mm f/4.5-6.3

This is a great lightweight telephoto. Plus, the 55-200mm are very versatile focal lengths.

It’s not as sharp as my big 100–400, but it’s perfect when I don’t want to carry extra weight on a hike.

It is also great for wildlife photography. For example, I took this lens out for some zoo photography and was blown away by the results!

I normally always have a polarizer on this guy. 

My Adventure Photography Accessories

Polarizer filter

Cuts glare and deepens blues. This is especially handy for photographing lakes, skies, and reflective surfaces.

I go back and forth on polarizers. Sometimes I like it and other times I hate it.

Therefore, I will always take photos with and without. 

Lens cleaning kit

A cleaning kit is a must when you’re shooting outdoors (dust, salt spray, pollen…it all finds you. Be very afraid).

I once had a speck of dust on my sensor after photographing Antelope Canyon and I had to go out and specifically buy a blower because I didn’t feel comfortable with any other solution.

SD card holder

This keeps everything organized so I don’t panic mid-shoot wondering where my memory card went.

I’m not the most organized photographer…and I have a tendency to throw SD cards around willy-nilly!

This SD card holder has saved my butt on more than one occasion. Plus, it has cow print on it so I was automatically down.

Cross-body strap

When hiking, I really don’t like the neck straps because it irritates my neck and bangs the camera on my pizza pouch…

Once I found this 👉 cross body strap, it was a done deal! 

I especially prefer to carry my 5D mark IV this way because it is significantly heavier.

Camera backpack

Mine’s rugged, padded, and fits all this plus snacks. Priorities.

This thing has saved me, especially on flights and during love RV travel days! I have one camera bag for each camera. 

Tripods

Confession time…I lowkey kinda hate tripods. 

I think it is because I am constantly on the go, but I’ve never had the patience for them and I’m very picky.

However, I know that they are necessary for professional photography, so I’ve tested more than I care to admit. 

These are the ones that actually earn a spot in my bag so I can pretend that I use them 90% of the time. 

1. The Sturdy One

When I’m shooting landscapes, astrophotography, or anything where stability is non-negotiable, I bring my full-sized tripod.

I actually have two that I use depending on the shoot.

1. An expensive bulky one from MeFoto.
2. A cheap, lightweight Amazon basics one.

I definitely like the MeFoto one better, especially since it has a quick-remove plate. However, it is significantly heavier and I wouldn’t want to trek with it.

I use it for: long exposures, star photography, and any time I need tack-sharp landscapes.

2. The Mini Tripod

This is my favorite tripod and one that I can actually justify taking it everywhere with me. 

When I’m traveling light or shooting quick vlogs, my mini tabletop tripod comes to the rescue.

It’s small enough to fit in my backpack side pocket and perfect for stable shots on a rock, table, or ledge.

I use it for: vlogs, self-portraits, and quick timelapses when I don’t want to lug the big guy around.

3. The Flexible Tripod

This flexible little monster wraps around almost anything – fences, trees, railings, and even the handles of my backpack. 

It’s my go-to when I need to get creative or shoot from weird angles. However, it isn’t as reliable as my mini one. 

I use it for: adventure vlogs, behind-the-scenes clips, and creative self-portraits when I’m solo.

Editing + Backup

Editing

Once the memory cards are full and the adventure dust has settled, it’s editing time (aka my favorite cozy-coffee moment). 

I start every edit in Lightroom, using my own presets that I’ve developed over years of shooting in wildly different conditions. 

These presets are designed to keep colors true but punchy, with that dreamy, adventurous glow my followers know me for.

If you’ve ever loved the tones in my photos, they’re all from my own preset packs. These are made for adventurous photographers who crave rich, cinematic colors without losing the natural feel.

Sharpening & Denoise

When I need an extra boost in sharpness or noise reduction, I turn to Topaz AI. It’s a total lifesaver for low-light or wildlife photos.

Backups

For storage, I double-up on backups:

• Everything lives on SmugMug, where I keep my portfolio organized and ready to share or sell prints.
• I also use a Samsung T7 SSD for local backup (because if you’ve ever lost a card, you know that panic 😅).

Together, this combo keeps my photos safe, my workflow fast, and my colors consistent, whether I’m editing in a coffee shop in Colorado or from my RV in the middle of nowhere. 

Bonus Gear That Lives in My Camera Bag

Let’s get one thing clear: my cameras are like my children.

Unfortunately, not every adventure calls for a full-frame DSLR and sometimes it just isn’t possible.

When my camera isn’t practical, these are the gadgets that help me capture those spontaneous, on-the-go moments.

iPhone 16 Pro

I love using my iPhone 16 Pro for video.

It’s fast, easy, and the quality is shockingly good for such a small device.

It’s perfect for quick clips, Reels, or behind-the-scenes footage when I don’t feel like lugging my main setup.

That said, it still can’t quite compete with my Canon 5D Mark IV for photo detail and dynamic range (the 5D still wins by a mile for print-worthy shots).

Insta360

My secret weapon for creative perspectives!

The Insta360 is awesome for solo adventures, mermaid shots, and those “wait, how did she film that?!” moments.

It’s also great in areas where you want drone-like footage and drones aren’t allowed.

Check out this video of me hiking Angels Landing with my Insta360 and you will see what I mean.

It captures full 360° footage that you can reframe later, which makes it a dream for adventure creators who want to film themselves without a full crew.

GoPro

Although I generally prefer the Insta360, this little tank is my go-to for underwater footage.

Everything GoPro is waterproof, durable, and basically fearless. It’s perfect for snorkeling, waterfalls, or shooting in the rain when I don’t want to risk my main camera.

You can see me freediving a shipwreck in Bermuda in my mermaid tail with my GoPro below👇

HoverAir Drone

If you’ve ever been intimidated by drones, this one’s a game-changer.

The HoverAir takes off right from your palm, follows you around automatically, and lands safely in your hand. It’s amazingly beginner-friendly.

No controller drama required.

Final Thoughts on My Camera Bag

This isn’t a sponsored post. It’s just the gear that helps me tell stories from around the world.

Whether you’re shooting on a smartphone or a full-frame DSLR, what matters most is the adventure itself.

But if you’re curious about any of the gear above, I’ll link everything below with my affiliate links (which help support my hot chocolate and memory card addiction — thank you! ☕️💾).

Now it’s your turn. What’s in your camera bag? 🎒

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you swear by, or something that’s saved your butt on a shoot? 

Drop it in the comments or tag me on Instagram at @thebucketlistmermaid. I love seeing what other adventurers are shooting with!

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