Pack it up!
So you’re going on the road to shoot photos/videos for fun or for a client? Kate here again, Executive Producer over here at Team Chase. This is part 3 of 4 on how to pack like a boss. Check out the last two posts in this series:
10 Mission Critical Tips for Booking Photo and Video Travel – getting there
12 Mission Critical Tips for Pre-Production – tips BEFORE traveling
Now it is time to hit the road… to bring or not to bring? That is the question. More is certainly not better, but you have to have everything you need… so where is the magic line?
12 Tips for Travel Packing
1. Make sure you have your ID and all necessary documents!
2. Choose the right travel case. The Pelican 1615 Case is ideal for travel, offering a spacious yet lightweight design with customizable compartments that keep everything in place. Its tough exterior protects against rough handling, while the organized interior ensures you can easily find what you need without digging through your entire bag.
3.Pack early. This will give you time to think about what you may have forgotten and purchase anything needed. Keep a packing list by your stuff so you can keep adding to it and check off packed items.
4. Limit what you bring. Bring the essentials and backups of those essentials. Leave those fancy shoes and other not-so-useful stuff at home.
5. Carry on ALL mission critical items. No exceptions. When you pack a bag to check, pretend you may never see it again. You should have a working photography kit to get you through in a pinch as well as one spare outfit, your technology, any medications, extra pair of prescription glasses/contacts lenses and anything. Wear your heaviest pair of shoes while you travel… just make sure they are easy to remove for airport checkpoints.
6. Follow the rules when you are flying. Check with your airline and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for packing your baggage. You don’t want to be stuck with extra charges or overweight bags. Carry-ons have lots of limitations including pocket knives and liquids (3-ounce bottles only in a quart size zip top bag).
7. Clothing essentials. Pack appropriately for the local weather and bring layers. Some essential items to consider are wrinkle-resistant, comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, versatile pieces that can cover a range – totally caj~ to fancy, and a coat.
8. Your gear. Check out this video all about packing photography gear:
9. Carnet for your gear? If you are traveling internationally with lots of gear, you may need to go through an expeditor and get a carnet (passport for your gear – try www.atacarnet.com).
10. Bring backups for critical gear items. You may have to leave your underwear to bring an extra battery charger.
11. Charge everything before you leave. That means your computer, your phone, your camera batteries. Confirm you have all of your chargers and extra batteries for when you arrive.
12. Electrical. If you are traveling internationally, bring the correct power adapter. Each country has its own unique plug configuration, so be sure to read the label for a list of where the power adapter will work. Apple makes a World Traveler Adapter Kit for an Apple products, which is convenient. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB974ZM/B/apple-world-travel-adapter-kit
Secret tip: we like to bring a power strip that we can plug into a transformer with the local plug so you can have many open outlets… this can save on space.
CAUTION: Be VERY careful about voltage so you don’t fry your gear or your self. Read the small print on power strips to make sure they can handle the voltage.
13. Take a production kit with you. There are some essentials that can be a pain to try to track down. Depending on where you go and what you are doing the kit varies, but here are some of my favorite go-to items:
_Mobile Wi-Fi. I fell in love on our latest trip to Cape Town! Up to 5 devices can remotely connect the internet?!?! Heaven: http://bit.ly/JZVID4
_a local phone + number
_cash… yes, people still use it. and it can often unlock doors or “make it rain” when in a pinch.
_a tiny printer + ink http://bit.ly/Ogv3Bj
_a tiny scanner http://bit.ly/LBkacJ
_hard copies of your lists, call sheets, paperwork, etc in a production notebook
_sharpies and pens
_sunscreen
_talent releases
_some way of organizing your receipts
_travel book/language guide
_power strip
I’d love to know what goes in your location production kit or in your bags! Leave your ideas below.
When you’re gearing up for a shoot—whether it’s a spontaneous road trip or a full-on client production—every item in your bag matters. From chargers and batteries to lens cloths and backup cards, the goal is to travel light but never unprepared. The trick is knowing what you actually need. That foldable reflector you bring every time but never use? Maybe it stays home this round.
But that tiny roll of gaffer tape? Always worth the space. As creatives, we walk a fine line between minimalist and mobile studio. So before you zip up that bag, ask yourself: does this serve the mission? If not, out it goes. Mastering that balance is what makes location work feel smooth, not scattered.
And once you’re packed, how you get there matters too. Whether you’re racing to a golden hour shoot in Bruges or catching an early flight from Brussels Airport, having reliable transit is just part of the production puzzle. That’s where a smart travel decision—like booking a Goedkope Taxi—can seriously streamline your day.
Not only does it save you the stress of figuring out parking or navigating unfamiliar cities, but it also gives you time to prep mentally, check your shot list, or just enjoy the ride. Because let’s be real: production days are long enough. Any chance to make the journey smoother is worth its weight in charged batteries and solid audio.
In the next post of this series, I’ll have some tips for your arrival. Stay tuned.
Best, Kate
This was very timely … I’m in the process of packing for a flight to Cairns
Kate, you’re absolutely right. Case in point: I traveled to Afghanistan this spring to film a documentary and planning the packing for this job was of utmost importance, from the right shoes for -20º at 9,800 feet to redundant gear. Forgetting something would have spelled disaster, since I was not sure how easy it is to find anything in Kabul (turns out it’s not that difficult). You can take a look at all the gear that got packed here: https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/387750_341631652521206_1899610181_n.jpg
Folloe the rules for sure! Had a small multi-tool taken because it had a small knife on it and didn’t realize it was in my carry on. Sometimes it’s te small things.
Essentials! Nice additions Stephen. Thank you.
I’ve done corporate travel photo work in India and China–don’t forget the gaff tape and a multitool! Also, comfortable shoes. Earplugs are also a must for everything from the airplane to working next to machinery to sleeping at night in a noisy hotel.
Love the articles, Kate, especially the specific links to items you/Chase use. I’ll throw in a helpful tip: I use clear tape and attach a card with my name, address and cell phone all my bags and cases so if they are lost or even just accidentally left in the back of a taxi cab, I can be reached and rendezvous to claim it. You’d be surprised at how many honest people there are out there who will help you get your gear back if there’s a cell phone number attached to it, and I’m one of them.
Best,
Matt
That is so TRUE!! Great tip! Also, I usually throw a card inside my luggage too, because sometimes the tags get ripped off. Thanks Matt!!