The Day Trip “Make A List And Check It Twice”

One of my favorite fishing holes.

The one thing to keep in mind when you are planning any type of photo shoot, plan on traveling light. Traveling with photo equipment can be cumbersome so make it as easy on yourself as possible.

Thinks to consider:

Power Supplies and Storage

Can I do this with existing batteries or are you going to need access to power, to charge batteries, power a computer etc. If you don’t have electricity handy you will have to take your own. In car power supplys, marine batteries with power converters, or solar powered backpacks are some options. Don’t forget the power bars and extension cords.There is nothing that will kill your day quicker than having dead batteries.

Use smaller drives to store your images, yes they will crash on you and it is far less painful to lose 100 images than a 1000. Back them up to another location daily just to be on the safe side.

Weather

Consider the weather, extreme cold will decrease your batteries longevity, and extreme heat is hard on all of your equipment. An frozen cooler pack in your equipment bag will help keep your equipment cool, for extreme cold plan on have to charge your batteries more often.

Prepare for rain, it’s not fun to get soaking wet and have to wear your clothes till they dry, and it could be cold. I always pack a slicker, and rain pants, and a change of clothes and shoes. Go for clothing with a lot of pockets, you can never have too many. Garbage bags work great for your camera and you can just stuff them your pocket.

Pack a small cooler of snacks and water, it’s a real time saver when you want to grab something quick. Throw a sandwich in one of your many pockets and go.

Safety
Unfortunately theft today is rampant, hotel parking lots are some of the worst. Thieves are targeting event parking lots as well. What ever you do don’t leave anything in your car that can be picked up and made off with quickly. Many of the larger horse shows are now being targeted by organized groups of thieves, if they see a woman get out of the car without a purse your vehicle becomes an immediate target. I use a one shoulder backpack to carry my camera, extra batteries, card case, and wallet for locations that allow me to make frequent stops to the vehicle if necessary.

If you have a trunk use it, but if have a hatchback you can make it pretty tuff for thieves to make off with any of your equipment.  Pelican cases are pretty close to bullet proof, I store all my equipment in this type of case. They are waterproof,suitable for flying and last forever.  Secure your bags with a strong cable attached to the frame of your car seat, you may lose a window but odds are you gear will still be there when you get back.

Hotels are horrible places to leave anything, if I have to leave anything there I use the same method, few thieves carry cable cutters and it’s pretty tough getting a bed attached to a case out the door without attracting attention.

If the cost of a Pelican bag is prohibitive disguise your gear, try a diaper bag, yes get one that really looks like a diaper bag. Throw a baby blanket and a couple of diapers on top.

Get a kids backpack for your computer, any thing that looks like a computer bag is going to be a target.

Having a dog in the car or the motel rooms is very effective, they are great security alarms. Thieves are looking for the easy target, anything that can reduce their ability to get in and out quick will often send them looking for an easier target.

When you are traveling alone, and you are going to stay overnight in a motel, check in early just to make sure you don’t have any conflicts with your reservation and you can stand your room, if you wait until late there is no time to make changes to your lodging arrangement.

Permissions

Make sure there are no photography restrictions on the subject matter you plan to shoot, some places do not allow photographers to take pictures while on their property. Ask if you don’t know, most people will be happy grant permission if you ask first, don’t wait until they are asking you to leave.

If you are attending an event that has contracted a professional photographer to provide the contestants pictures don’t go behind their back and try to sell yours.  You would be surprised just how fast you get caught and it is just so uncool.

Carry releases just in case you get that perfect shot that needs to be published, you may never find your subject matter again, get it while you can.

Checklists

Make a checklist you will update it as time goes by but in a short while you will know exactly what not to leave home without.  Use your list and check it twice.  Imagine hiking into a remote location to discover your batteries are still at home. You will only do it once…

Planning can make or break a trip get into the habit of making and checking you checklist.

Featured, Free, Tips and Tricks check list day trip horse photography saftey tips traveling alone