From hiking in the back-country to traveling overseas, we never leave for our next adventure without packing our backpack with our favorite gear. If you are curious to see what's in our bag and want to know what we use to craft our blog, take a look at the list of equipment  below!

Pictures

1. Nikon D3100 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

We are still getting a lot of use out of this over 7-year old, entry level DSLR. It doesn't have all the flashy features or settings of more professional cameras, but with just the right adjustments and lenses it can still take amazing photos.  That being said, we do have plans to upgrade to the Nikon D7200 soon!

2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens

Having a fixed focal length lens (prime lens) is essential to any photographer's toolkit. Typically known as a portrait lens, the 35mm lens offers great portability and versatility and is a huge step up from most camera kit lenses. This lens is great for learning how to take photographs too, since the lens is fixed so you need to move around your subject and practice getting that perfect angle. We use this lens mostly for portraits and nighttime shooting.    

3. Optex Trident Traveler Ballhead Tripod

A good tripod is crucial for any photographer, whether you are taking a nighttime shot against a starry sky, a time lapse within bustling city streets or a carefully framed self-portrait.  The Trident is by no means top-of-the-line, but it's a well constructed, light-weight tripod that performs well both on and off the trail. 

4. Google Pixel

At launch, the Google Pixel had one of the highest rated mobile cameras on the market with a DxOMark of 90. To this day we can still squeeze a lot of quality photographs from this relatively small device since Google has really perfected their camera software. You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will present itself and you need to take a quick snap, so having a good camera on your phone ensures you're always prepared to take the shot.

Videos

1. DJI Phantom 4

DJI has been making drones for over 11 years, and in our opinion provides the best, highest quality consumer drone money can buy. The Phantom 4 is a couple years old now but is still capable of capturing both breathtaking bird's-eye view stills and silky smooth aerial footage. Drones are great for getting a perspective that often goes unobserved and offers exciting new vistas anywhere you go. 

2. GoPro Karma Grip w/ Hero5 Black

The GoPro Hero has been a staple for action cameras for quite some time now. We need a video camera that is super small and portable but one that can handle the elements, so the Hero5 is perfect for us. If you are going to be taking videos on the go we would highly recommend pairing your device with a stabilization grip.  The Karma Grip couples perfectly with the Hero5 in terms of quality, durability and function. Having a mechanical stabilizer adds another level of professionalism to your shots and saves hours in post, giving you plenty more time for adventure! 

There you have it, the equipment we never leave the house without. If you have any questions or would like to share the equipment you use let us know in the comments section below!

Happy adventuring,

Slade