Do you ever wonder how photographers manage to pack a ton of gear for a trip without getting weighed down? Here are my 5 tips for traveling with all of your equipment essentials.
1. Get a backpack.
If you’re walking long distances, covering all your ground on a wedding day, or climbing Mount Everest, it’s essential to have your hands free. Invest in a backpack! There are so many out there. I found an inexpensive one on amazon.com that I LOVE (find it here*, photos below**)! My favorite feature is the ability to unzip the front of the pack to quickly switch out cameras or lenses without actually opening the whole backpack.
*this post is not sponsored by Tarion, ha!
** It is important to note that this bag is NOT waterproof, however it does come with a rain-cover that works great.
2. Take only the essentials.
Here’s what’s in my bag:
• Nikon D810 camera body
• Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art Lens
• Nikon 35mm 1.8 lens
• Nikon 24-85mm lens
• Canon Rebel T2i + 18-55mm lens (my backup)
• ProMaster speedlight for Nikon
• NEEWER 160 LED panel video light
• rain sleeves for cameras
• CF cards and SD cards + cardholder carrying case
• backup batteries and chargers
• cleaning cloth for lenses
• phone charger for car
• snacks!
Surprisingly, ALL of this fits into my backpack with ease. I have my cameras and lenses in the bottom of my bag, each fitting easily into an organizer slot, and the rest thrown into the top section which is like a rucksack. Sometimes I take my tripod along by strapping it underneath the bag.
3. Keep your gear at hand.
If you think you’ll need to use more than one lens for a specific shot, and won’t have time to run to your bag, you might want to consider getting a lens holster belt. This will allow you to quickly change out lenses without missing any of the action!
4. Take an external hard drive.
If you’re traveling, pack an external hard drive with you. If you’re flying, DEFINITELY keep this in your carry-on. You don’t want to take a chance on your luggage getting lost! Don’t risk waiting to back up your photos when you get home from your trip. Back them up as soon as possible after each shoot. You never know what can happen (believe me, I speak from experience).
5. Keep a checklist.
Make sure you keep a checklist of your equipment. I find it’s easiest to use Google Docs. I can update my list whenever, and I don’t have to risk losing a piece of paper listing the essentials. When it’s time to pack up after a trip, I double-check to make sure I’ve got everything. If you want to travel on a whim, this is a life-saver! There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to realize you forgot something.
I hope this advice helps! I’d love to get in touch. Leave comments or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
XOXO,
Kristin