How to Travel with Photo Gear
18th Nov 2020
Traveling with camera gear can be a difficult time for us photographers. There's questions we must ask ourselves like determining how much gear I should take? Will too much gear slow me down? Should I take a camera bag? Yep, these are all very important questions we must ask ourselves when traveling with our photo gear!
Rule #1: Reality Check: It IS possible to take too much Gear
You really should only take what you need. Really evaluate what you are intending to shoot on this trip, and only take what is necessary to get the job done. The sooner you realize you won't be able to take all your gear on every trip, the more confident you will become when it comes to trusting your own intuition. It's hard at first but the more you do it, the easier it will become!
Rule #2: Always pack your expensive equipment in your carry-on bag
It's true that most airlines will not insure the value of your ridiculously expensive equipment when you check it in with them. That is why we highly recommend packing your expensive equipment in your carry-on bag so you can keep a close eye, you can check in the majority of your accessories. Yes there are restrictions to weight when it comes to your carry on bag that vary per airline, and that is why we need to apply Rule #1 to this as well! If your carry-on so happens to be a camera backpack, keep in mind that to some you may become an immediate target for theft... and you may want to consider something that blends in a little more. With that being said, it is absolutely okay to go either way, just be mindful.
Rule #3: Bring the Accessories you need
Accessories are essential to successful photography, so it's important that you take the accessories you NEED. This includes flash, filters, stands, a tripod, spare battery's, memory cards, a shutter release, ETC. Really evaluate what you're shooting on this trip and figure out what you need to bring in order to make it a successful shoot.
Conclusion: Traveling can be difficult for us photographers, but with a little planning we can usually avoid the worst of it. Just remember, the more you do it the easier it becomes!