As a sports and entertainment photographer and filmmaker, Travis Ellison is constantly shooting in high-pressure environments – from professional football games to basketball action, from live concerts to global brand campaigns and television sets. “Because I'm always capturing both photo and video, often simultaneously, my kit needs to be flexible, fast and able to deliver stunning results in any lighting situation,” he says. “After over a decade of honing my workflow, I've dialed in a setup that helps me stay nimble, tell meaningful stories, and elevate the athletes and artists I work with.” We caught up with Travis to see which gear he relies on – keep reading as he shares what’s in his bag.
Shop This Kit
Cameras: Alpha 1 II, Alpha 1, RX1R III
Lenses: 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master, 16mm f/1.8 G, 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, 35mm f/1.4 G Master, 50mm f/1.2 G Master, 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, 400mm f/2.8 G Master
Accessories: PDT-FP1, HVL-F28RM Flash, TOUGH CFexpress Type A Cards
Cameras
I run a three-camera setup on nearly every shoot – it's essential for my hybrid workflow. If I'm shooting pro football games, concerts or live events, I'll almost always have two Alpha 1 II bodies and one Alpha 1 on me.
Alpha 1 II (Buy Now): The Alpha 1 II is my go-to, it's fast, sharp and incredibly versatile. The fully articulating screen is a huge plus, and the improvements in video features and dynamic stabilization make it a dream for hybrid creators like me. I love that I can close the screen to protect it in fast-paced environments. If I could only pick one camera to shoot with for the rest of my career (at least until the next version comes out - seriously though), it would absolutely be the Alpha 1 II. Depending on the situation, I use one Alpha 1 II for video and the other for stills, or both for stills across different focal lengths.
Alpha 1 (Buy Now): The Alpha 1 usually carries a wide-angle lens for stadium shots, group moments, or behind-the-scenes coverage. This multi-body setup ensures I can tell the complete story of any moment, no matter how fast it unfolds.
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1600-sec., f/2.8, ISO 2000
RX1R III (Buy Now): This camera is really convenient. I wanted something small and this is definitely small.
Lenses
12-24mm f/2.8 G Master (Buy Now): Reserved for large-scale stadium events (like shooting at SoFi Stadium).
16mm f/1.8 G (Buy Now): A new addition; perfect for group shots, events, and video.
35mm f/1.4 G Master (Buy Now): Favorite for cinematic stills and storytelling moments (*Bel-Air*).
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/1.4, ISO 4000
50mm f/1.2 G Master (Buy Now): If I had to take one lens on any shoot, it would be this one.
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/1.2, ISO 500
70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II (Buy Now): Essential workhorse for sports and live events.
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 2000
24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II (Buy Now): My go-to hybrid lens for flexible coverage.
400mm f/2.8 G Master (Buy Now): Primary pro football action lens, including memorable "Air Puca" catches by Puka Nacua.
Accessories
PDT-FP1 (Buy Now): Honored to be the headlining global storyteller for the launch. Game changer for hybrid creators. Editor's Note: Read more about how Travis uses this device in How The Sony PDT-FP1 Gives This Sports Pro A Competitive Edge.
HVL-F28RM Flash (Buy Now): The best flash for my needs.
TOUGH CFexpress Type A Cards (Buy Now): The best memory cards.
Camera Bags: Think Tank Photo Airport Commuter Backpack and Think Tank Photo Essentials Convertible Rolling Backpack, MindShift Gear Backlight Backpack (Slate Black, 36L).
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/1.2, ISO 800
Tripod: Benro tripod – over a decade old and still going strong.
Monopod: Manfrotto monopod – pro-football kit essential.
Battery Grips: Comfort, protection, and extended shooting time.
Strap: Dual-breathe BlackRapid strap; essential for hybrid workflow.
Other Items: Zeiss lens wipes, Tiffen UV filters, Dust blower, Anker external batteries, Think Tank credential holder.
Photo by Travis Ellison. Alpha 1. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 2000
Workflow Tools: Sony MRW-G2 Card Reader, Portable SSDs, Laptop.
Personal Tokens: I carry necklaces in memory of my grandma, aunt, and soon my mother. Finding them in my bag unexpectedly is a humbling and beautiful reminder of their presence.
Outdoor essentials: My bucket hat - practical, comfortable, and part of my outdoor creative persona: "Bucket Hat Travie."
See more of Travis Ellison’s work on Instagram @travietrav_dmv.
