Have you ever been in a situation where you leave your most important photography gears at home while traveling for a photography trip? If the answer is yes, don't worry. You are not alone. Thousands of photographers around the world have the same experience at some point.
For this reason, I would like to share some tips with you for when you plan photography trips.
1. Months before the photography trip
Believe it or not, a great fun photography trip starts months before you depart. Your planning should begin at this time. You have to plan what the events are which you will be taking photos of. It is normal that there will be several photo spots in your destination area.
Planning far ahead gives you advantages over travel and accommodation costs, and you may book the best spot to capture the best pictures. Booking flight ticket and hotel room months ahead saves you a lot of money. Plan ahead!
For this reason, I would like to share some tips with you for when you plan photography trips.
1. Months before the photography trip
Believe it or not, a great fun photography trip starts months before you depart. Your planning should begin at this time. You have to plan what the events are which you will be taking photos of. It is normal that there will be several photo spots in your destination area.
Planning far ahead gives you advantages over travel and accommodation costs, and you may book the best spot to capture the best pictures. Booking flight ticket and hotel room months ahead saves you a lot of money. Plan ahead!
2. Weeks before the photography trip
I would spend more time on planning what photos I want to capture at this stage of planning my photography trip. For instance, if I were to travel to Indonesia in the middle of August, I would be taking photos of the independence day ceremony in the morning, fun events in the afternoon. Then in the evening I would take photos of the local sunset.
By properly planning your photography trips, you will be able to dig deeper for more thoughts and ideas. Look at pictures available on the internet and get inspired by them. But not only from the internet, you can also search local photographs from libraries, image directories, photo books, local websites, and tourism guidebooks.
This is a process which may take some time because you never know when inspirations hit.
At this point of the photography trip planning, I would also check my equipment. I would check if any of my gear is not working well and have them repaired right away if necessary. Servicing them now is the best because they must be ready by the time you depart.
3. Few days before the photography trip
Some places don’t have internet access. It is much better if you also write down, or print, all notes you would need, such as the location of local shops, tourist office, and local sunrise and sunset time. Weather forecast is also an important information to be noted.
It would be better if you start making a list of what to bring for the photography trip. Sometimes you might forget some items if you think of them 1-2 days before the trip.
4. 1 day before the photography trip
I would pack the camera and its equipment first. The last thing you want to discover is missing your spare battery or camera lenses at home. Have a last check on the weather forecast. Print all documents you will need for the photography trip. Make sure you have the memory card(s) ready.
I would spend more time on planning what photos I want to capture at this stage of planning my photography trip. For instance, if I were to travel to Indonesia in the middle of August, I would be taking photos of the independence day ceremony in the morning, fun events in the afternoon. Then in the evening I would take photos of the local sunset.
By properly planning your photography trips, you will be able to dig deeper for more thoughts and ideas. Look at pictures available on the internet and get inspired by them. But not only from the internet, you can also search local photographs from libraries, image directories, photo books, local websites, and tourism guidebooks.
This is a process which may take some time because you never know when inspirations hit.
At this point of the photography trip planning, I would also check my equipment. I would check if any of my gear is not working well and have them repaired right away if necessary. Servicing them now is the best because they must be ready by the time you depart.
3. Few days before the photography trip
Some places don’t have internet access. It is much better if you also write down, or print, all notes you would need, such as the location of local shops, tourist office, and local sunrise and sunset time. Weather forecast is also an important information to be noted.
It would be better if you start making a list of what to bring for the photography trip. Sometimes you might forget some items if you think of them 1-2 days before the trip.
4. 1 day before the photography trip
I would pack the camera and its equipment first. The last thing you want to discover is missing your spare battery or camera lenses at home. Have a last check on the weather forecast. Print all documents you will need for the photography trip. Make sure you have the memory card(s) ready.
5. D-day
Check and recheck your photography gears for the last time. Camera lenses, formatted memory cards, spare battery, and your travel documents should be rechecked.
Insurance, cash money, travel tickets, and travel documents are the most important items you have to carry for your trip. Other than that you are set and ready to go.
I hope these tips will make your photography trip be more fun and memorable. Have fun and enjoy your trip!
Check and recheck your photography gears for the last time. Camera lenses, formatted memory cards, spare battery, and your travel documents should be rechecked.
Insurance, cash money, travel tickets, and travel documents are the most important items you have to carry for your trip. Other than that you are set and ready to go.
I hope these tips will make your photography trip be more fun and memorable. Have fun and enjoy your trip!