6 Accessories to Turn Your Phone Into the Ultimate Travel Camera

This past summer I took my first camera-less vacation, relying exclusively on my phone to take pictures. It was a real trial for my iPhone 8+, but my high expectations were met by Moment’s lenses (available in Wide, Macro, Superfish, or Tele) and app, which combine for beautiful, detailed images. (Even with the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro’s advances, Moment still has proof that you’ll get a better shot with their lenses.) Through the app, you can easily adjust exposure, focus, and temperature, as well as shoot in TIFF, RAW, or JPEG formats. The lenses effortlessly attach to your phone—though you’ll have to invest in a Moment phone case, too. The case and lens combination provide a tight seal, creating crisp images without the light leaks and soft focus of many add-on phone lenses. The newly launched 58mm Tele lens allows you to zoom without losing image quality or focus. All lenses are delivered with a microfiber bag and lens caps, and are small enough to keep in your pocket. $120, Amazon (wide lens). Get it now!

Smartphone flashes are particularly harsh, especially as they allow almost no custom control. If you’re in a real pinch, you can tape a thin piece of tissue over your phone’s flash to diffuse the light, but I’d suggest investing in something like this external light and phone clip. The cube-shaped, portable flash connects to your phone via Bluetooth and gives you full control of light levels, overriding your phone’s flash. Waterproof to 100 feet, the flash also means your next snorkeling adventure will be well documented, and not dark or muddy. (Just make sure your phone is waterproof, too.) $20, B&H Photo Video (phone mount). Get it now!

If your timelapses are suffering from shaky hands or your selfies are at unflattering angles, skip the selfie stick and go for a portable tripod. This Joby tripod is my go-to, especially when exploring the woods. I wrap its flexible legs around tree limbs on hikes and immediately get the versatility of unlimited angles. A Bluetooth remote is also included with this tripod, so you can take a picture from up to 90 feet away. $55, Amazon. Get it now!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got thousands of photos on your iPhone and not a print in sight. Fix that with the IVY Mini Photo Printer, which prints out two-by-three-inch, smudge-proof photos in less than a minute—just connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It’s all the perks of your phone’s camera quality, plus the instant gratification of a print in hand. And while you can print your photos out in their original forms, there are also options to add text, filters, or Polaroid-like borders. $99, Amazon. Get it now!

Sure, most modern providers tell us their new phones are shatter-resistant and can survive being accidentally dropped in water, but Hitcase’s phone cases leave no room for interpretation. Their cases are entirely waterproof to 10 feet, and their no-cracks capabilities are tested by literally throwing the phone against concrete, ensuring your travel camera is protected from any accidents on your trip, and enabled to shoot submerged snorkel and pool pictures with ease. They’re lightweight but built to last, and with a sleek design that can easily double as your day-to-day case. $55, Amazon. Get it now!

None of the above tech is worth anything if you’ve got a dead battery, and unless you have your chosen brand’s latest model, chances are your phone’s battery life leads something to be desired. That’s not a problem you want to have to deal with when trying to get the perfect shot. Thankfully, Anker’s Powerpack can hold eight charges for iPhones, and five for Samsung Galaxy’s, while still being incredibly light to carry. It also has two output slots, allowing you to charge yours and your travel partner’s phones at the same time. $40, Amazon. Get it now!