One of the questions that we’re repeatedly asked is what camera do we use to capture such beautiful Instagram pictures. The camera that we are currently using is Fuji Tx2.
As we’ve continued to travel and gram, we’ve continued to pick up equipment and questions along the way and here’s a list for all those curious of what we consider our essential travel photography equipment that we have for every photoshoot.
Camera – Fuji Tx2
Of course, the first and most important photography equipment in our arsenal is our camera and it is the mirrorless Fuji Tx2 camera. We like its compact size, the clarity in the images and the Tx2 was relatively good value while not being so dissimilar from the Fuji Tx3.
This was an upgrade from our first camera that we used to become full-time travel bloggers, which was the Sony As6000. This budget camera carried us through so many trips and Instagram shoots for over a year before we eventually decided we had to change. Its compact size is an important factor to consider for frequent travellers and the 24-megapixels allows the camera to catch so much information at a high quality.
A Tripod
For the amount that we take couple shots, it’s not that vital to us and we only picked up a cheap tripod. However, if you’re a lone traveller or a couple who don’t want to hire a photographer for your Instagram shoots, then make sure you invest in a sturdy tripod as mine isn’t capable of holding the camera in an upright portrait position when extended to full length. Not ideal.
LED Portable Light
This little device can slip into your pocket or your camera bag without taking up much room and can be an invaluable gadget to have when shooting in low light settings. The main thing that we find it’s useful for is shooting food at restaurants when out at night for dinner, or taking Instagram stories in dim settings.
64GB SD Memory Cards
You can never have enough SD memory cards. I have four on me at all times as my Fuji Tx2 has dual slots, and I shoot in RAW and JPG, and with the RAWS being each 50mb in size, space can quickly run out on your SD memory cards.
An iPhone 11
Siobhán currently uses an iPhone 11. It’s important if you want to become a travel blogger and Instagrammer to have a phone that has a quality built-in camera, front and back, because your phone will provide 90% of your Instagram story content.
A Spare Camera Battery
If you’re shooting all day then you’ll rapidly go through your camera’s battery before the day is out. Make sure you have a spare on you so that you’re Instagram shoots don’t have to end.
Lightning SD Card Camera Reader
This handy device allows you to work at such a fast pace. It can be frustrating when you’ve taken an amazing picture with your camera that you simply want to show that day but your laptop isn’t anywhere near. The SD Card Camera Reader, combined with your Lightroom Mobile software, will allow you to transfer, edit and post on site so you can immediately share your Instagram gold.
A Power Bank
Any iPhone user will know that the phone’s battery depletes at a frustrating rate. Our 10000mAh Power Bank was such a great investment. No longer are we dependent on a free wall socket being available when we stop in for a coffee. The power bank can also be used for charging your camera, too, if you’ve had such a successful day of shooting and both batteries have been drained.
External Hard Drives
All of those pictures have to go somewhere. Don’t skimp on memory. Back up and store all of your photos, because once they’re gone, they’re gone and to build a successful Instagram feed, you need lots of content so memory is essential. After every day of shooting, we transfer our images from the camera to our external hard drive. We currently have filled up 5 external hard drives of various sizes.
MacBook Air Laptop
This is the tool that allows for all of our post production magic and content management. Apple’s 13’inch MacBook Air is my constant travel companion and what my wife often jokingly-ish refers to me as my first wife. This lightweight laptop is just as convenient to take to a café to write my new book or on a plane to our next destination.
2 comments
This is great to know, is there a similar camera available for any cheaper that you are aware of?
Just starting out taking photos so I don’t want to go too expensive yet
Hi Lisa. I did a lot of research before I bought and personally, I felt that this was the camera that best suited my budget while still allowing us to do what we do. There’s always cheaper alternatives, but because there was too little difference in the specs for a novice like me to know of between the Sony A6000 and much more expensive models, I decided the Sony A6000 was the right choice. And I’ve honestly been very happy with the results.