Pixiq

This weekend I’ll be heading to Houston to attend a wedding. This will be the first wedding I will have been to, as an attendee, in quite some time. Even though this isn’t an assignment weekend, I simply cannot go anywhere without my camera. I will be packing light for this trip, but it brought to my mind a great topic idea; Packing for a trip.

It would be inaccurate to state that I have never forgotten something when packing for a trip of any kind. That does include photography equipment. It wasn’t uncommon, in the beginning, to forget a couple little things like extra batteries or a sync chord. There are few things more embarrassing than having to tell a client you need to run to a store to grab something!

It only took a few times of this occurrence before I had to come up with some sort of system to negate said mishaps.

Make a List!

I make a list of everything I think I’ll need for the assignment a couple days ahead of leaving. This will enable me to think about and review my list in the coming days.

Double everything!

I pretty much have multiple accessories of all my gear. I always take at least one extra if I have it. For this trip I’m only taking one camera body, but usually take two. I’m taking two speedlites, and of course have an extra battery for my camera. I used to take lot’s of batteries, but the new airline rules have me a little mixed up about what I can and can’t pack on the plane. So, I’m opting to buy some AA’s when I get there. It’s no biggie for me because this isn’t a real assignment, and I’m getting there a little early anyway.

Lay Everything Out!

Photographers are visual people. We learn visually and think with that hemisphere in our brain. So having everything laying out on my dining room table allows me to visualize what I have intended to pack. This is the time to check your list with the stuff you have. Mark it off as you go, and then pack it up! Do this the night before you’re leaving. You don’t want to rush this process when you have a deadline to be at the airport. You’ll either make yourself late or forget something.

Photography Equipment is “Carry On” Only!

The worst possible thing that could happen would be to allow the airline to lose your gear. I almost didn’t even include this because I thought it might be common sense, however, it’s the most important thing. You can’t complete your assignment if you don’t have any gear.

For a complete listing of the new airline laws pertaining to batteries and other technological stuff head here. If you’re not sure and you need assistance try calling the airline you’ll be using and running over your list with them.

Photograph My Bag of Toys by Nick Haskins

What are your must haves when traveling on or even off assignment?