Traveling, likely by yourself, with your photography gear in tow can be really stressful. Your entire livelihood (aka thousands of dollars of gear) is packed away safe and sound in your backpack but you still find yourself checking it and making sure it’s all still there and still good. Here are a few things I do to make traveling with all of my photography gear much easier.
CARRY ON OVER CHECK BAGS
Obviously you should try to NEVER check your gear bag, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about choosing to cram all your clothes and to narrow down what you’re packing into a carry on bag instead of a check bag. This way when you get to the airport, you don’t have to actually lug around your heavy and bulky gear back pack. Slip that baby over the hand rail of your carry on bag and roll it around instead!
Added bonus: this also makes it SO much easier to keep eyes on your things. No more stressing about someone unzipping your back pack and walking away with your things when it’s on your back!
GET FOUR WHEELS
If you have a carry on that doesn’t have four wheels, you’re missing out. That two wheeled luggage is great but my goodness does it start to weigh on your wrist and arms (esp if you add the weight of your camera bag or backpack!) make sure your luggage is ready to handle everything you’re bringing with you and that it will make your travels easier, not harder.
UPGRADE YOUR SEATS
If you can, pay the extra fee to be able to choose your seat and/or to upgrade your ticket! This helps ensure that you are one of the first on the plane and decreases the chance of being forced to check your bag at the gate. And sitting in a section other than economy will give you a little more leg and arm room to be able to pull your MacBook out and get some editing done while you’re in the air (or publish a blog post, like I’m doing now 😋).
CHOOSE YOUR GEAR CAREFULLY
Don’t pack more than what you need for your trip! Cut weight and risk by leaving the unnecessary gear at home. Bring your fav lenses and call it good!
ALWAYS TAKE CUTIES
Okay this admittedly has nothing to do with work, BUT it is one of my fav and most trusted travel hacks. Planes can get really stale, and to be honest you never know who you’ll be seated next to. The last time I flew, I got seated next to a man who fell asleep during the flight and (not kidding) farted the. entire. time.
I always travel with cuties because the fresh smell of peeling an orange cuts so much of the dank, stale air that’s created during a flight. And it’s just a bonus that they happen to be delicious little snacks 😋
Want more travel tips? Check out my best friends blog full of ALL the travel tips, tricks and guides on Amber All Over.
