I find that it’s difficult to be a fan of gadgets and one bagging at the same time…
What does this mean?
Well, I love technology. I love new toys and if it goes with my iPhone even better. I have a GoPro, a 360º camera, iPhone gimbal, LifePrint printer, InstaMax Polaroid camera, a “selfie” drone, DSLR, point in shoot (cheap but just in case) and too many SLRs to count. What do I take on trips?!
I HATE the idea of a lot of luggage. The only time it’s acceptable is when I’m coming back from a trip carrying all the goodies to bring back. But the last thing I want to deal with is multiple bags when trying to cheap my way through transportation.
This means, packing efficiently and as light as possible!!
Lately my photographer’s getaway bag packing list is:
- iPhone
- iPhone charger
- iPhone battery case iPhone X Battery Case
- External battery pack (I take a lot of photos okay?) Anker PowerCore
- DSLR/Mirrorless of your choice + lens Fujifilm X-T20 Mirrorless Camera
- 1 extra lens Fujinon XF27mmF2.8
- 3 batteries total for camera
- Battery charger
- 3-4 SD/SDMicro cards
- GoPro Silver 4
- 3 batteries total for camera
- Battery charger
- Portable tripod, aka fancy selfie stick (holds phone and GoPro) Yoozon Selfie Stick
- 360º camera Ricoh Theta S Digital Camera (Black)
- Film SLR (Minolta Hi-Matic E)
- 2-3 rolls of 400 film
- Laptop or iPad (this depends on the bag I pack, both can load pictures and watch enough Netflix!)
- Remember to double check you have appropriate cables for all electronic devices! Luckily I just bring one Mini-USB, one Micro-USB and one lightning cable to cover all my devices.
I usually can get this all to fit in one bag (surprisingly) depending on what I’m doing for the day. When I was in New York City for a short time in 2017 I used my Lowepro Lowepro Passport Sling III
Why do I bring these?
Well, I’m attempting a mirrorless camera. This saves a lot of space and weight then I’m used too. I’m excited to try a new thing but I’m hoping it leads to lighter bags down the road. I also find that the GoPro and 360º are so light and small, it’s almost pointless NOT to bring. As for the SLR, I love film photography (part of my college degree) so I may have a bag full of undeveloped exposed film, but one day I’ll pay for the development and be surprised by whats there. Plus I found out my grandmother had passed down one of the fan favorites in range finder film cameras, the Minolta Hi-Matic E!! And what other great place to use a street photographers dream camera, but in New York City!!
What am I not using now?
While I LOVED my gimbal, it seems that the image stabilization of my iPhone X interferes with the electronics in the gimbal, so thats pointless now to bring. The drone I purchased from Kickstarter I haven’t fully figured out yet (but I haven’t tried too much). I also don’t seem to need printers at this time, but it was fun using my Life Print printer at a baby shower last year.
Whats the point? Why not just check a bag?
It boils down to comfort. I’d rather carry a bag on my back with comfortable hip straps then a carry on roller bag 99% of the time. When I know I’ll be using Uber or very little public transportation, this could change, but I’d rather know I can carry my own stuff up and down stairs. Often when I travel back to Atlanta I will check a bag because I love to bring back local wine or beer. I love the concept of one-bagging and while I may not do with with my electronics, I at least know I could capture almost anything I’d need to capture digitally!
I hope that this Photographer’s packing list helps you on your future trips! Let me know what you love to pack on your vacations below!!
Traveling TnT 