Several participants have asked for guidance on what to bring, so I’ve put together this list of suggested items to help you feel comfortable, inspired, and fully prepared to enjoy the retreat. In addition to your camera, you’ll find practical recommendations for personal comfort, creative exploration, and capturing your experience with ease. Please check what you already have.
If you're unsure which camera to bring, visit the Gear page for my detailed recommendations.
We’ll be sharing this retreat with a group of watercolour painters, so if you're curious about exploring another creative outlet, feel free to bring some basic watercolour painting supplies — totally optional, but a wonderful way to complement your photography practice.
Lastly, I’ve included a section of reading inspiration featuring some of my favourite books on mindful photography. I’ll be referring to these throughout the retreat, so you might enjoy picking one up for your flight or quiet moments.
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Let this guide help you pack mindfully for a retreat full of creativity, connection, and presence.
Reliable SD Cards for Peace of Mind
I recommend bringing several smaller SD cards instead of one large one — this helps protect your images in case of card failure. Some cameras have dual card slots or require microSD cards, so be sure to check your model's specifications. This is the brand I’ve trusted for years — it’s widely compatible, dependable, and performs well under a variety of shooting conditions.
Optional SD Card Reader for Faster Transfers
To review and edit your photos during the retreat — or add images to group presentations — you’ll need a way to transfer files from your camera. While many newer cameras offer Bluetooth transfer to phones or tablets, bringing a laptop gives you more editing flexibility.
If your laptop doesn’t have an SD card slot, consider packing a compact reader like this one. It features both USB-C and USB 3.0 connections, supports data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, and allows you to move large batches of photos quickly and efficiently.
Extra Batteries & Charger Kit
It’s highly recommended to bring at least one extra battery on excursions — you don’t want to miss a shot because your camera ran out of power.
Get in the habit of swapping batteries and putting the used one on charge as soon as you return to your room.
The kit linked here is compatible with the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (the camera I recommend on the Gear page) and is one I personally use. It includes two extra batteries, an external charger (which the camera does not come with), and a universal travel adapter — a must-have for charging devices in Italy. It's also much more affordable than the brand name version.
Universal Travel Adapters (4-Pack)
These are the travel adapters I personally use and have tested on previous trips — they’ve worked reliably for charging cameras, phones, laptops, and more.
This convenient 4-pack ensures you’ll have enough adapters to keep all your essential devices powered throughout the retreat. It’s especially handy if you're charging multiple items at once or sharing with a travel companion. Compact, durable, and compatible with European outlets — perfect for Italy.
Compact Travel Tripod (Optional)
Since we’ll be experimenting with long exposures and low-light scenes, you may want to bring a small tripod to support your shots. That said, it’s completely optional — I understand not wanting to carry extra gear during excursions, and I’ll be bringing my own tripod for our group use. This compact tripod from Manfrotto — a brand I’ve trusted since the beginning of my career — is a great option. I love its portable size, smooth ball head, and quick-adjust level locks that make setup easy in the field. A solid choice if you're looking to invest in something reliable and travel-friendly
Camera Backpack or Daypack
You’ll likely want to bring a small backpack or daypack like this one for daily excursions. The right size depends on your camera setup and what else you plan to carry.
If you're bringing a compact mirrorless camera (like the OM-D), you might get away with using a padded insert in a regular bag — or even tossing it into a purse, which I often do myself. For a larger DSLR setup, I recommend a small, comfortable backpack to help distribute the weight throughout the day. This one offers the right balance of protection, storage, and all-day comfort for travel photography. You can even attach a tripod to it.
Writing Journal for Reflection
I encourage everyone to bring a writing journal, as I’ll be providing daily reflection prompts throughout the retreat to deepen your creative and mindful experience.
You can absolutely use a journal you already have, or treat yourself to something like this — something portable, with an aesthetic you enjoy, which (at least for me!) makes the writing process more pleasurable.
Bringing a special pen you love to write with can also enhance the ritual and help you slow down and connect more intentionally.
Compact Travel Watercolour Set
This travel-friendly kit is perfect if you'd like to explore watercolour painting during the retreat. It includes 12 rich, transparent colours in a sturdy metal tin with built-in mixing trays, plus a refillable water brush, fine liner, pencil, and spray bottle. It also comes with 10 watercolour postcards — ideal for capturing quick impressions of the landscape or pairing your painting practice with photography. All neatly packed in a lightweight, zippered pouch.
Note: I will also bring a similar set with a variety of brushes, metalic paints and markers to share. Bring yours, if you have some.
Watercolour Journal for Experimentation
If you want to dive deeper into painting during the retreat, consider bringing an additional watercolour journal or pad of practice paper. I’ll be bringing this journal myself for my own practice.
Also, be sure to have a permanent ultra-fine Sharpie or similar pen — perfect for the pen-and-wash technique I’ll be recommending. This combination makes layering and details a breeze while keeping your work vibrant.
One of my primary influences.
Introduction to Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography
This is one of my early inspirations, foundational to my approach... a thin portable book
This tiny book is very portable and contains many walking meditations you can use with photography during and after the retreat.
A classic read we will be discussing in relation to the creative process in relation to photography
Very inspiring read about creativity with many connections to photography
I will be referring to this best seller in relation to habits for creativity.