How Pros Travel (and prep for travel) with Camera Gear: Camera Prep for the Field

Ah, the joy and stress of traveling with camera gear. It’s a yin and yang sort of deal. On one hand, you’ve got the thrill of planning your kit like a kid in a candy shop. On the other, you’re quietly sweating in the boarding line, wondering if your camera bag will make it into the overhead bin—or be relegated to the abyss below. I feel you.

After 20+ years of guiding, photographing, and finessing my way through airport security lines and rainforest humidity alike, I’ve fine-tuned my camera travel system. In this post, I’m walking you through exactly how I prep, pack, protect, and fly with my gear so you can do the same—with a bit less worry and a lot more confidence.

If you'd like to listen to this full episode on my podcast, The Wild Photographer, click here.

Step 1: Lens Strategy—Cover the Range, Add the X-Factor

I start every trip with a simple goal: cover the range from 24mm to 400mm (full-frame equivalent). For most wildlife and landscape work, this gives me what I need.

You don’t need a lens for every focal length in that range. A 24–70mm and a 100–500mm? Perfect. That 70–100 gap? Don’t sweat it—constraints fuel creativity.

Bonus tip: Always pack one "X-Factor" lens. This is the wildcard that might snag your best shot of the trip. For me, it’s often a nifty fifty or a macro. Small, light, and sometimes magical.

Step 2: Batteries, Memory, and (Maybe) a Laptop

• Batteries: I bring four. Always. That’s two in-camera and two spare—no math degree required.

• Memory cards: Dual-slot cameras are the move. One card for photos, the other for video. Or raw vs JPEGs. Flexibility and backup = peace of mind.

• Laptop: Wildlife-heavy trips? Bring it. Landscape-focused or remote treks without power? Maybe skip it. If I do bring one, I always carry an external hard drive and duplicate my files.

  
  

And yes, hitting “format” on a card without a second backup? That’s a heart-pounding moment I try to avoid at all costs.

Step 3: Second Camera Body? Sometimes.

No, you don’t always need a second body. But on high-action, dust-prone, or once-in-a-lifetime trips (like Borneo or an African safari), I bring one. Same model if possible. It doubles my shot potential and acts as a backup in case of unexpected failures—which do happen. Trust me. I missed a once-in-a-career shot of a slow loris because my primary body failed.

Step 4: Accessorize with Intention

• Flash? Only for macro night work. Otherwise, I go with a high-lumen flashlight like the ones from Fenix.

• Filters? Neutral density filters (ND) for waterfalls and long exposures. Polarizers are nice but not always essential.

• Tripod? Only when I’m doing serious landscapes or low-light work. My go-to? The Peak Design Travel Tripod—carbon fiber. Packs down small, performs like a champ.

• Camera clip system? Peak Design again. Their backpack-mounted camera clip keeps gear handy and off your sweaty neck.

• Dry bags? Always. I carry a 20L for the gear bag, and an 8L to wrap my camera body/lens in the field. Especially key in dusty places like Africa or India.

  
  

Step 5: Flying With Gear—Stay Stealthy, Stay Sane

Golden rule: no sensitive gear in checked luggage.

• Overhead bin space is precious. I use a Shimoda Designs Action X40 backpack—fits the overhead and handles both airport and trail duties.

• Yes, international airlines list carry-on weight limits. Do they always enforce them? Not often. But keep a jacket with pockets handy just in case you need to offload a lens or two in a pinch.

• For bush flights: wear your camera. Not just to shave pounds off your pack but to capture stunning aerials through the window.

  
  

Pro tip: Bring a small dry bag even if your backpack is water-resistant. Layered protection is peace of mind.

Step 6: In-Field Gear Maintenance—Brush It Off

• Dust and debris: Bring a lens pen or toothbrush (yes, a toothbrush—but not your used one). Dust like a paleontologist.

• Moisture/humidity: Avoid letting your camera hang against your body. It fogs up sensors. Another reason I love that Peak Design clip.

• Hot shoe cover: Essential in rainy or humid regions. A $3 silicon plug that protects your camera’s most vulnerable spot? Yes, please.

• Lens wipes: One or two single-use packets plus a good microfiber cloth keeps your glass in top form.

  
  

Final Word: Travel Smart, Shoot Free

Photography travel is a mix of pragmatism and play. It’s about building systems that work for you so that once you’re out there, you can focus on what matters—being in the moment, finding the shot, and soaking it all in.

If you want to try outsourcing your photo marketing (so you can focus on the creative fun), check out ArtHelper.ai—free for 30 days with code WILD.

Need a second body or specialty lens? Lensrentals.com is my go-to. Use WILDPHOTOGRAPHER15 for 15% off.

And for the camera bag that does it all, I’m currently loving the Shimoda Designs Action X40 with modular core units—roomy, secure, and actually wearable, even when loaded like a mule.

Get out there and happy photographing!

Court