Photography Gear Unpacked: A Look Inside My Bag (2026)
Every photographer has their goto gear. The trusted tools that help bring creative visions to life. Whether I'm capturing breathtaking landscapes, intimate portraits, or everyday street scenes, having the right equipment in my bag ensures I'm always prepared for the unexpected. In this post, I'm unpacking my photography bag to give you a closer look at the cameras, lenses, and accessories I rely on for every shoot. Whether you're a beginner looking for inspiration or a seasoned pro curious about another photographer's setup, I hope this peek inside my kit provides valuable insights and ideas.
Soapbox: I do want to bring to your attention that the greatest tool you have is yourself. While having the right gear can enhance the creative process, it's important to remember that photography isn't about the equipment, it's about vision, creativity, and storytelling. The tools in my bag are carefully selected to support MY workflow, but they are by no means essential to capturing great images. Whether you're working with a high end setup or just a smartphone, what truly matters is your ability to see, compose, and connect with your subject. Gear can make certain tasks easier, but YOU are the creator bringing a photograph to life.
The Bag: I Found a Winner
I draw a lot of inspiration from cinema and television shows, which led me to discover my ideal bag. Let me elaborate; Apple TV+ recently adapted Blake Crouch's novel Dark Matter into a visually stunning and mind bending series. It's an incredible read and a beautifully shot show, a must read and watch in my opinion. Joel Edgerton's character carries this bad boy in the series. It's the Prvke 31 L by Wandrd. I had heard of the brand before but never paid much attention to it until I explored their products, and I was instantly hooked. Wandrd perfectly aligns with my aesthetic preferences. If you've ever met me, you'll know I appreciate a minimalist lifestyle, and this messenger bag fits that perfectly. I strongly believe in quality over quantity, and Wandrd excels in their attention to detail. It's the most comfortable bag I've ever worn, and even when fully packed, I can carry it all day without any issues. They offer various sizes and designs for different adventure seeking people. I love their mission, their story and the quality of their gear. If you're looking for a new bag yourself, I'd give Wandrd a try!
My Camera Body: The Heart of My Kit
Choosing the right camera is crucial for my workflow, and I always make sure to have one that balances quality, versatility, and reliability.
Main Camera: Canon EOS R8 –– This is my go-to full-frame mirrorless camera. I can take beautiful landscapes and portraits with this, as well as 4K video if I'm feeling froggy. I did a lot, and I mean a lot, of research and testing before I went with this model. It's a smaller body than most of the other R series models by Canon, but it still holds up to the higher-end R models. It has the same sensor as the Canon EOS R6 Mark II but at a much more reasonable cost.
Early on in my photography journey, I started out with a Canon EOS Rebel T5i/700D. Believe it or not, it was actually my mom's camera. She bought it brand new when it first came out in 2013. Over 10 years old, it's still a great beginner camera that won't break the bank and has all the features you need to capture beautiful stills.
Film Camera: New to the bag and gifted to me by a good friend, the Pentax P30t. So, film cameras are making a huge comeback in the photography world, and I decided I would give it a go as well. I'm still very new when it comes to operating a film camera, but I love how simple and freeing it is to just point, shoot, and wait to see what you come away with after getting the film developed. I feel like it is a great tool to help you understand how lighting and composing a shot are vital to getting what you want your story to convey. In a digital-heavy world, owning physical and tangible copies of your work is vital to have so that they can be passed down to the next generation for insight and inspiration.
Lenses: More Important Than The Body?
If you've ever considered purchasing a lens for your camera, you'll encounter a wide range of focal lengths, f-stops (apertures), mounts, and front element sizes. You'll notice that some lenses are priced at twice or even three times the cost of your camera body. For beginners, navigating through these options to find what they need can be overwhelming. From my own experience, I can assure you that investing in a lens rather than a camera body, starting out, will yield better results in the long run. This was the strategy I adopted when I began. When I started with the Rebel T5i, it came with kit lenses and was an excellent choice for starting out. As my photography skills and creative ideas expanded and improved, I explored higher end lenses that were compatible with my Rebel T5i which improved the quality of my photos tenfold even still using a 10+ year old, 18 megapixel crop sensor camera body. Here are my favorite lenses that I use with my current body, Canon EOS R8, and consider essential for my photography style.
Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM A new addition to my bag this year. This is my very first RF mount lens and I added it to my bag for one main reason, real estate photography. I've been blessed this year to have an opportunity to photography houses. I knew my lens arsenal was lacking in the wide angle focal point and if you know anything about real estate photography, wide angle is the best option. Why I chose this lens in particular was due to it's affordable price point and the fact that I could use it without having to attach an adaptor on it with my R8. This lens is still very new to me but I've managed to take it to a few landscape spots and I plan on trying it out for astro photography as well!
Real Estate photo using RF Canon 16mm f2.8 - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell The exact RF Canon 16mm f2.8 lens I use - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell 
A landscape capture using the RF Canon 16mm f2.8 lens - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell
Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM | Art EF mount. My favorite focal length for portraits, landscapes, and street photography. This prime lens with a f1.4 aperture gives me that buttery bokeh and is ideal in low light situations. This lens is fast, quiet, and delievers sharp images. By far my favorite lens in my bag.
"Why aren't you using a Canon 35mm lens?" The great thing about Sigma lenses is their affordability while still delivering professional quality results. I got this lens and most of my gear through a trusted second hand online platform, MPB. I'm a huge advocate for conservation and having as low a footprint as possible. Being resourceful and saving a few more bucks in my pocket just makes sense. MPB is a GREAT platform for those looking for photography gear from a wide array of brands and accessories while not breaking the bank.
Shot with Sigma 35mm f1.4 - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell The exact Sigma 35mm f1.4 lens I use - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell 
Landscape shot taken with Sigma 35mm f1.4 - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell
Pentax 50mm f/2 SMC M MF K Mount, the perfect lens for my Pentax P30t. Nifty fifty is a staple for portrait photography. The versatility and bang for your buck you get with this focal length are why it's recommended by so many photographers. You aren't threatened with a distorted face when using it for portraits, and it is considered a standard focal length similar to what the human eye sees. This fits perfectly in my bag of must haves.
Taken on the Pentax 50mm f2 lens - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell Pentax 50mm f2 - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell 
Picture of Ghost the quarter horse taken on the Pentax 50mm f2 lens - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM –– This was my first prime lens when I was still using the Rebel T5i, and I still have it in my bag today. 85mm is a perfect choice for portrait photographers. It gives the subject a flattering perspective and isolates the subject from the background with a good amount of compression. I love taking macro shots with this lens, too!
Drakes Creek taken on Canon 85mm f1.8 lens - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell The exact Canon EF 85mm f1.8 lens I use - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell Turtles on a log taken with Canon EF 85mm f1.8 lens - photo taken by Jacob Stillwell
Essential Accessories: The Small but Mighty Must Haves
In addition to cameras and lenses, these accessories are essential for shoots, ensuring everything operates seamlessly.
Mount Adapter: Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, this is the device I use to connect my EF mount lenses to my R series camera body. I opted for the adapter with a control ring because it enables me to swiftly modify the ISO or any other customizable setting by rotating the ring, just as if an R lens were attached.
Memory Cards & Storage: I always carry extra high-speed memory cards to avoid missing any shot.
I've really enjoyed using ProGrade's 128GB 250MB/s. Whether I need to shoot something in bursts or I need to get my pictures downloaded quickly to my laptop, ProGrade is top notch.
Batteries & Charger: Extra batteries are a must for long shoots and as backups. The Canon EOS R8 is a great camera but it uses very small batteries that don't last a full day of shooting.
Rocket Air Blaster: It's essential for every photographer to carry one of these. They help remove tiny dust particles from your lenses, filters, and sensors without the danger of smudging them with your fingers.
Tripod: I recently upgraded my tripod to the carbon fiber FreeRover Travel Tripod by SmallRig. I needed something lightweight but sturdy for my long exposure shots. I really like how compact it is and how quickly I can shorten and lengthen the legs. Tripods are a must when it comes to those into landscape photography!
Filters (ND, Polarizers): These enable me to capture stunning light trails, silky waterfalls, and manage light and reflections during outdoor photography.
Pro tip: If you have lenses with varying thread sizes/front elements, choose the largest thread size you have and purchase step-up rings to accommodate the smaller threaded lenses. This way, you avoid the need to buy separate filters for each lens.
Filters I Utilize: I use 82mm ND(Neutral Density) and Polarizer filters from Moment. *You might have observed that my lenses aren't 82mm. I chose the largest filter size available to prepare for acquiring different and larger lenses in the future. I use step-up rings on all my current lenses. A game changer that I'm considering upgrading when it comes to my filters switching to magnetic attachment vs threaded. This is more of a luxury want than a real need but it has been something I'm considering.
Tech Gadgets: Staying Connected and Productive
Photography involves more than just taking pictures; it also includes file management and maintaining organization while on the move.
Laptop: I've recently made the transition from Windows to Apple and I'm very pleased with just how seamless and easy Apple products work with one another. By far my favorite and most used feature is AirDrop. After editing my photos it's as easy as clicking a button and I have all my edited work on my phone to then post on my social media.
My Laptop: MacBook Pro 16GB Apple M2 Pro. The speed and RAM this MacBook has is exactly what I needed when it came to post process workflow.
Portable SSD & HD: Whether for personal or professional purposes, archiving your work is crucial in photography. As a photographer, it's essential to backup your photos. Many individuals maintain multiple backups to ensure their work is secure and easily accessible when required. Additionally, backing up your work frees up space on your laptop or desktop, enhancing your computer's performance and streamlining your workflow.
My External HDs: At present, I carry a portable SSD from PNY for travel. At home, I use a larger TB easystore drive by WD. Choosing the right external HD comes down to the storage capacity you require and the number of drives you can manage.
Phone: As a business owner, a phone is essential for new or returning clients and customers to contact you. Whether you're scheduling appointments or discussing potential job prospects, having a phone is crucial.
My iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro. I utilize it every day for posting my work on social media, taking phone calls, responding to emails, or addressing business requirements.
Comfort and Practical Items: Staying Ready for Anything
Extended shoots demand more than just camera equipment. These essentials keep me comfortable and ready.
Weather Protection: To shield my equipment from the weather, I always carry a poncho and microfiber towels in my bag as a precaution. They're conveniently stored in my Wandrd bag due to its numerous hidden compartments. A great aspect of the Wandrd bag is its water-repellent shell and waterproof zippers. If your bag lacks these features, you might want to consider bag covers.
Snacks & Water: When I anticipate being out shooting for an extended period, I ensure I have some snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or energy bars tucked away. Bringing water is essential whenever I carry my bag. Stay hydrated, everyone!
Field-Notes: If you've been in the photography community long, you've probably heard of Peter McKinnon, @PeterMcKinnon. He's one of the reasons I make sure I have a notebook and pen in my bag whenever I go out for shoots. Jotting down information about the environment, time, locations, and even ideas for future projects (field-notes) so I can go back and review has helped me with organizing my thoughts, keeping it in a notebook rather than typing it in my phone. To me, just like reading a book, I like having physical copies of things rather than everything stored on the cloud.
How I Pack it All: Organization Tips
Efficient packing allows me to reach my gear swiftly and prevent excess bulk. This is a major reason I appreciate Wandrd's Prvke bag. Despite its minimalist exterior, it features pockets, compartments, and quick-access ports that clearly have been meticulously tested and thoughtfully placed. Here's how I arrange my bag for optimal efficiency.
Store items that you use often in compartments that are easy to reach.
Ensure weight is balanced to prevent strain during extended shoots
Utilize removable pouches and hard cases for storing small items such as batteries, SD cards, or filters.
Conclusion
If you've made it this far, I hope this has given you a basic guideline on how I approach building my photography bag and what I've learned along the way. This is what's in my photography bag for 2026. Having the right gear in your bag can mean the difference between an average and an amazing shoot. Over time, I've fine-tuned my kit to include only the essentials that truly enhance my workflow. It's an ever evolving process as my photography needs change, so will my gear. What's in your camera bag? Share your must-haves in the comments below!
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