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Your vacation photos will benefit immensely from these affordable tools.

I’ve traveled to all seven continents, and I usually travel with up to four different cameras at a time: my iPhone 16 Pro, a Fujifilm X100VI, a Canon R7 and my GoPro HERO13 Black. Each of these cameras brings a new perspective to my photography, but there’s also some tools that I won’t travel without. I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite affordable photo accessories to help with your snapshots, no matter your experience level.

Whatever you’re shooting, don’t forget to use your creativity. Try something new–get on your knees if you need to get that perfect vantage point. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, portraits, signage in a foreign city or a coral reef below the surface, the tools ahead will help you be a better photographer.

This extendable tripod quickly turns your phone into a steady, elevated camera so you can finally capture expansive landscapes, sunset portraits, and group shots without asking strangers to help. At up to a long 62 inches tall, it gives you more flexibility with angles than propping your phone on a rock or bag ever could, and the included Bluetooth remote means you can trigger the shutter from across the frame. 

With so many vantage points to capture, my favorite is walking with the tripod extended at its longest, because your photo or video will look like it was taken from a drone.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors).

Not only is this camera strap comfortable when on the go, but it adds a splash of personality to your gear. The neoprene padded material is desired for any type of terrain from hot days being a tourist to colder nights capturing the Northern Lights. There’s so many cool designs to choose from, it’ll be easy to showcase a little of you. It's equipped with expandable storage pockets for any camera accessories you'd like to keep on hand, too. 

It might seem a bit extra, but a little light can go a long way, and this rechargeable clip-on LED can be a great asset to your photography practice without bulking up your bag. With adjustable brightness and color modes, it helps you tame low-light scenes like dim restaurants, sunsets, or twilight portraits, so your pictures look intentional rather than grainy. Lightweight and compatible with phones, tablets, and even tripods, it’s one of those tiny tools that you’ll be glad to have on you.

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors).

I always find myself traveling with more memory cards than I need, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want is to lose photos from a trip. This 128-gig card handles high-resolution stills and 4K video with quick write speeds and plenty of room for hundreds of shots, so you aren’t constantly offloading on the go. For any type of photographer taking shots as a beginner or shooting in RAW files, this card is ideal. 

You never want to have a perfect shot ruined from dust or a smudge on your lens. This Koala microfiber cloth makes quick work to clean your camera scratching your gear. 

It’s soft enough for lenses on phones and cameras alike, and the multi-coated fibers help remove oils and dust so your shots stay crisp for the day’s adventure. Slip it into your pocket or camera bag and you’ll be surprised how often a simple wipe improves a photo you thought was ruined.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors and other pack sizes).

This tiny SD card reader is one of my favorite “hidden” tools for travel photography because it lets you pull high-resolution photos straight off your camera’s memory card and onto your phone. Simply plug it into your iPhone or iPad and import shots directly into your Photos or Files app, so you can edit and share your best travel pics without waiting until you’re back at a laptop. It has both lightning and USB-C compatibility.

I always try to get a closer look at my photos before I get home to make sure that they’re not actually blurry or out of focus. Give yourself a quick pulse check to make sure you got the shot.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available with two or three slots).

This lens cap leash helps prevent exactly what you don’t want to happen while you’re on vacation. Especially if you’re photographing wildlife, it’s such a rush to get your camera out as quickly as possible and start shooting — so give yourself one less thing to think about with this easy-to-attach tether.

Whether you’re snorkeling turquoise reefs or capturing action on the lakeshore, this 4-in-1 floating selfie stick keeps your camera secure while you capture underwater footage. It transforms between a waterproof hand grip, extendable monopod, and mini tripod, so you can shoot from tricky angles or let your camera float steady in the water for hands-free photos.

It’s one of those cheap accessories that instantly expands your creative possibilities at the water’s edge. What’s reassuring about this accessory is you never have to worry about your camera sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in two colors).

This case for your GoPro is pure magic. If you’re shooting travel photos around water–snorkeling, kayaking, or cliff jumping — this waterproof housing for GoPro makes underwater shots look Photoshopped. With some playing around, you’ll be able to capture footage that’s half above the water and half below the water. 

Trying to capture a dual-photo like this won’t work on a GoPro or waterproof camera without the dome of the casing. The best part is you don’t need to be an experienced photographer to try this cool feature.

Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in four styles).

I know from bringing my camera everywhere — to the beach, National Parks and just along for the ride on a hot summer day — more than just the lens can get dirty. You never want to have a sticky feeling on the surface of your camera. 

This all-in-one cleaning kit should always be tucked away in your daypack. It includes spray cleaner, microfiber cloths, a brush, blower, and wipes so you can safely prep your phone or camera without damaging the machinery or scratching the lens. 

Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in two styles).