What’s in My Camera Bag: Typical Day Trip Edition

Over the last couple years, my family have been spending more time outdoors.  Everyone knows and have heard the saying that “life is short. Time stops for no one.” Our adult life is spent growing. Growing our careers, our family, friendships, and memories. Very little do we spend it seeing more of the world. During Covid, we began to focus on growing our memories in new places and sharing them with all of our friends and family.  The world is huge and is meant to be seen. 

Since then, I started to transition to more adventure and travel photography of my own family and the things we have seen. With that comes a huge change in the gear I carry on my back. Recently, I posted about my camera bag for portrait sessions, today, I am showing you what I pack in my Brevite Jumper Backpack for a day trip or day hike.  A lot of the basic items are similar!

Before I jump into the details, I do want to say that typically my husband and I carry all our hiking gear and essentials. We like to let the kids roam.  For short popular hikes and well trafficked hikes, we carry less emergency gears, but always have it in the car. On longer hikes, that is when we carry all our 10 essentials, and have our older 2 boys carry extra water and snacks. 

The following list is what I always carry in my adventure photography backpack for a day day trip as of this year (2024).  It’s important to note that standard hiking 10 essentials are excluded from this list but are always part of our bags!

FYI – I am not affiliated with any links, nor receive any monetary benefits. Links are posted purely for your reference.

Backpack

I chose a Brevite backpack because I wanted something suitable for our adventures that was also durable for camera gear. I need extra storage for water bottles or a hydration pack, and necessary items like first aid kit. I typically carry small gear when adventuring so the Brevite is able to hold everything I needed.  

Camera and Camera Strap

Of course photography is not photography without a camera!  As always my trusty Canon R6. With that is the strap. There are so many options for convenience, safety, and comfort. For me, even though I use a capture clip, I still keep a scarf camera strap on for when I am carrying the camera in my hands.  It is also great for walking around. Scarf straps are softer for your neck. I wash my scarf strap after every adventure because hiking makes me sweat A LOT!

Peak Design Capture Clip

Camera Lens

Lens Filters

I always carry two types of filters in my backpack for adventure photography.  A variable Neutral Density filter and a Polarized filter.  Because I mostly adventure in the midday, the lighting pretty much suck. Although I won’t get that sultry beautiful golden hour light, it is still possible to capture the beauty for this earth.  A Neutral Density filter helps to add additional stops so I can keep my aperture low, shutter low, and still achieve a great exposure. I honestly hardly use my Polarizer filter, and mostly keep my ND filter on at all times, but the polarizer is great for water shots.

The polarizer not only boost color, but helps to cut down reflection and glares.

Batteries, Memory Cards, and Case

When going out for an adventure, everyone should carry extra batteries for their electronics. Photographers are no different, in fact may be should carry more. I always carry extra batteries and a power bank. My power bank can not charge my camera batteries but for safety, it will charge my phone, flashlight, and other items that may require it.

My dual slotted camera requires 2 SD cards. Usually, I find that 128gb is plenty for both videos and photos for a day trip. For longer trips, I may need a back up of which I always carry.

Tripods, Selfie Sticks, Remote Triggers

I think I have a tripod for every scenario, which is ridiculous. LOL. I have a Gorillapod that I reserve for my iPhone, a full-size lightweight tripod for my camera, and a selfie stick that doubles as a tripod too! Here is how I use them and decide when to carry which.

Remote Triggers

There are 2 devices that I use remote triggers for: My Phone and My Camera.

Phone and Extras

Of course the phone makes the list.  I don’t know many (besides my parents) who can live without their phone these days.  It’s so convenient and versatile.  I use it for quick photos, videos, and of course maps!  I download all my hiking maps from All Trails to be able to use when out of cellular range. 

Other items excluding the 10 basic hiking essentials can include things like a selfie stick for phone photos, and a drone. I only bring the drone if I will be in an area where drones are allowed.  Always research the area you will be adventuring not just using an approved app like B4U Fly, but also checking local regulations because the app can not be the only source of reliability. 

Last thoughts

Photography can involve so many accessories, but it also does not have to. You can be simple and carry just the essential camera, battery, and lens and you will be just fine! Most camera batteries can last quite a while nowadays if you are just shooting stills and not 4k. The extra accessories just help enahnce your photo opportunities depending on the circumstance of which you are photographing. So, don’t feel you need all of these stuff!

Happy Clicking and Adventuring!