Traveling with Photography Equipment: My Proven System for a Smooth Flight

The first time I flew with my camera gear, I was so nervous.
What if something got damaged?
What if TSA opened my bag and messed everything up?
What if flying ruined my film?

If you’ve had any of these thoughts, you're not alone! Traveling with expensive photography equipment—especially for destination weddings or shoots—can feel overwhelming at first. But with a little planning and preparation, it’s totallydoable (and even enjoyable). After years of destination photography, I’ve created a tried-and-true system to make traveling with gear smooth, safe, and stress-free.

So whether you're prepping for your first destination wedding or just want to level up your travel workflow, here are my go-to tips:

📅 1. Plan Ahead Like a Pro

The best way to avoid travel stress is to plan well in advance. Ask yourself:

• What kind of shoot is this?

• What gear will I actually use?

• What kind of lighting situations do I need to prep for?

• Will there be backups available if something fails?

Make a checklist of the gear you must bring vs. what you can leave behind. Overpacking may seem smart, but it only adds risk (and weight). Less is often more.

🎒 2. Organize Your Gear (And Color Code Everything)

When you’re on the move, organization is key.

💡 Pro Tip: Use small pouches or hard cases to separate your gear by category—batteries, memory cards, chargers, cables, etc.

Some ideas:

• A zip pouch for all fully charged batteries (and another for used ones)

• A memory card wallet with labeled slots

• Color-coded tape or bands for lenses (especially useful in low light or quick-grab moments)

Knowing where everything lives in your bag makes setup and breakdown way easier—especially when you're working in unfamiliar locations.

🧳 3. Use Travel-Approved, Protective Bags

Your gear is an investment—so protect it! I personally love Think Tank bags for their durability, padding, and TSA-approved size. Here’s how I break it down:

• Carry-on: Cameras, lenses, batteries, memory cards, and anything fragile

• Checked bag: Items that aren’t delicate like reflectors, styling kits, light stands, or a step stool

Make sure your carry-on bag is small enough to fit in the overhead bin. Never check your most expensive or vital gear!

🛃 4. Ask for Hand-Checks for Film (Seriously)

Yes, film photographers—this one is for you!

Film can be affected by airport x-ray scanners (especially high-speed or already-exposed rolls). While modern scanners are safer than older models, I still recommend asking TSA for a hand-check. It may take a little extra time, but it’s worth it to avoid fogged film.

📸 Pack your film in clear plastic bags and let the TSA agent know that it’s photographic film that you'd like hand-checked. Be polite but confident—they’re usually happy to help if you’re prepared!

🔄 Bonus Tip: Backup Systems While Traveling

Don’t forget to plan for data backup while on the road. I always bring:

• A portable external hard drive

• Extra SD cards

• A laptop for quick image review and uploads

• Cloud storage access in case I need to send backups online

You never want to be in a situation where your images are only saved in one place. A solid backup plan can save your sanity (and your career).

✨ Final Thoughts

Traveling as a destination photographer doesn’t have to be stressful—it can be part of the adventure! With the right gear, organization, and mindset, you'll be free to focus on what really matters: capturing beautiful moments and creating unforgettable experiences for your clients.

Safe travels, friend—and don’t forget to bring snacks