While planning a trip, the preparations can be overwhelming. Travel dates, air tickets, hotels, locations and finally the bags. I do not know about you but no matter how long I take for my travel preparations, the last day always becomes hectic. The dresses, the travel documents, the phone chargers, the preparations seem never-ending on the last day. Then, when you add your photography essentials to the list, it is easy to make mistakes. That is why, in this article, I will share a checklist for photographers to ease your pain.
Camera Bag:
No, I don’t mean to be silly here. If you do not want to add the camera bag to your list of travel luggage, then you are making a mistake. When you have a camera bag, you already subconsciously know every item that goes in there. The lenses, the batteries, the cables, and everything. The moment you plan to pack your camera essentials in a different bag, you are setting yourself up for mistakes. So, I urge you to think of your camera bag as a necessity rather than an extra burden.
Tripod:
This is another item that may seem too heavy for your travel luggage. But a tripod is so essential that you will end up regretting every time you bring your camera out to shoot. Me & my wife have plenty of couple photos in our albums mostly because of the tripod. I just set a 10-second timer & run toward my spot beside my wife. That is all it takes to have some memorable photos for your collection. Not just that, a tripod is a must-have for long-exposure photos like water bodies or night photography. So, taking your tripod is non-negotiable while traveling.
Extra battery:
Have you ever been to a place and wondered why you hadn’t come here earlier? Because this place is so amazing, you take your camera out only to find out that the battery is dead! This can be so frustrating as a photographer. You look at a landscape or a sunset and feel the gut-wrenching pain of not being able to shoot. I don’t know about you, but this happened to me more than once. So, just take one or two extra batteries with you to avoid the pain.
Power bank:
You may not need a power bank every day during your travels, but you will need one! Maybe your itinerary is packed with destinations where you won’t have time to charge your camera batteries, or your hotel just doesn’t have the power port your camera needs. To avoid these situations, always take a power bank with you.
Filters:
Filters are something that can elevate your photography so much. You don’t always need an expensive one, but a decent filter will save you from overexposing your photo when the sun is at the wrong angle. Not only that, but when you will try to fit in a person within a beautiful landscape, it can be hard to match the exposure of different elements in your frame. This is where a filter can save you as well.
These are my camera essentials for traveling. You can add other elements, like a lens cleaner or a remote shutter to the list. Of course, it is person-dependent. At least create a checklist of your own so that whenever you are traveling, you can just take a glance and don’t miss a thing. Remember, a perfect camera bag makes a perfect traveling experience!
