Are you thinking about investing in new camera equipment, but have no idea what direction to go in? I’ve been there! There are SO many different photography and videography equipment options. Whether you’re a newbie getting into photography or blogging, you’re a hobbyist, or already a professional – the process of deciding what camera gear to purchase can be really overwhelming.
I always love learning about the gear that my favorite photographer’s use, so I wanted to share a list of what’s in my camera bag in 2026. I hope that it helps to hear about some first-hand experience with gear that you’ve been considering.
I would love to answer any questions or geek out on camera gear – email me at jenny[at]thekailife[dot]com if you’d like to chat!
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Camera Body
Sony A7iii I love my Sony full frame mirrorless camera. I shoot in a variety of lighting situations and have been really happy with its dynamic range. I also love to shoot videos and have been thrilled with the quality. This camera is durable, yet lightweight.
LENSES
FE 28-70 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS LensI started with this particular lens because it works for me in a wide range of settings – from portrait to landscape photography.LensRentals.com – One of my ways to decide on a new lens is to RENT it for a project or trip before purchasing. There are so many incredible lenses out there, and they operate so differently with each camera. Renting a lens is a game changer because you actually get to put it to use. I won’t purchase a new lens without renting it first!
DRONE
DJI Mini Pro 3One of the newest additions to my camera bag, this drone has added so much when it comes to how I’ve been able to photograph and video travel destinations. I love its ease of use, and the image quality has impressed me over and over again.
Gimbal + Gimbal Cameras
DJI Osmo Pocket 3This is my newest piece of video gear and I’m completely obsessed with it already. The quality is incredible, I love how slim it is, and the gimbal makes all the difference in capturing smooth footage. There are so many ways to use it that I’m still exploring. I can see this taking over short form video for me (I currently use my iPhone 14 Pro).Zhiyun Weebill SI love this gimbal for video work. Cameras tend to show any movement, and when I’m working with video, I find a gimbla necessary. The setup was a bit complicated, but there are a ton of great videos about this product and I’m really happy with it.
Camera Phone
iPhone 14 Pro You can capture so much incredible content with the iPhone 14 Pro. I love the lens quality and storage options on this phone, and find myself pulling it out often to capture content with. Nothing beats the fact that you have the content at your fingertips to post to your socials.
Accessories
Jolican TripodI travel with this about half the time (when I know that I’m doing a lot of landscape work and am checking a bag), because it’s a large tripod. I love it’s stability, and flexibility, there are so many ways to use it!Atumtek Selfie Stick the least expensive piece of gear in my camera bag, I end up using this a ton. I’ve put this selfie stick through so much abuse by getting sand and water on it, and it still works great for me. I mainly use this for taking video with my phone when I want to be hands free or in the video.
Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II CardI haven’t had issues with either kinds of the SD cards that I use yet. I’m always careful to download my photographs properly & immediately, and I format in my camera after each use.SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory CardI haven’t had issues with either kinds of the SD cards that I use yet. I’m always careful to download my photographs properly & immediately, and I format in my camera after each use.
Jenny White is the owner and author of The Kai Life, a blog that helps beach lovers to plan TropiCoastal travel experiences and simple wellness. She is also a mom, DJ (J|Adore) and a yoga teacher. As a hopeless beach lover with a passion for simple, joyful well-being, Jenny created this space to share her love for coastal destinations and lifestyle, hoping to inspire a little more joy, balance, sunshine - and your next trip!
