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Having completed a two-year period of photography trips abroad culminating in nearly half a year spent out of the UK and crossing eleven international borders. It's fair to say I’ve done a fair bit of travel with a camera in tow, in said short space of time. So here is my how-to guide in travelling with your photography gear.

Planning

The first thing you need to do before travelling with your photography gear is to plan. This includes locations you want to visit, how you will be getting there and around each location, and the kind of photos you want to take. This will then allow you to decipher what camera equipment you take with you.

Scouting

When it comes to finding locations to photograph there are many routes you can take to achieve this.

A. You can physically go to the location and explore ahead of time and come back with detailed notes and possible photo opportunities in mind.

B. You can use an online map service and street view to scout locations from the comfort of your home and tag these locations to your phone so you can find them easily when you go.

C. You can watch/read material online or otherwise from other photographers who have done similar trips and use their information to find your locations and photo opportunities.

D. You can use a combination of all three, this is what I do. I will use map services first, then research other photographers who have photographed that area, and then when I'm on the trip I will do in-person scouting to find locations.

Transport

When it comes to transport there are many options and these depend on where it is in the world you are going, the area size you want to cover, and how long you are going for.

A. Pubic land transport. This can be one of the most cost-effective ways of getting around but can impact the amount you can shoot due to restrictions of stops and times of follow-up transport.

B. Public air travel. This can be a great way of covering vast distances quickly and efficiently but photographic operativity is non-existent when in the air, unless on a sightseeing aircraft.

C. Personal vehicle land transport. This in my opinion is the best and what I always try and do wherever I go. The cheapest way is to use your own car but if crossing oceans are necessary then a rental is a good option too. This gives you the option to stop anywhere you like and go anywhere you like, in essence, complete physical and photographic freedom. The one downside of renting is that it’s expensive also, fuel is not cheap, and vehicle maintenance is necessary.

What you want to photograph

This is a big thing. This impacts what gear you take and your mobility when on foot or in the air. The best rule is always to pack as light as possible without compromising your photographic needs.

Packing

You need to pack for the location the type of transport and what you are photographing.

Location

This is something people often forget about but is important. Is it a wet or dusty place? If so hardy equipment is necessary. Is it a very cold or hot place? If so equipment freezing or you sweating lugging equipment is an issue. Is it easy to traverse on foot? If not a backpack will be necessary to carry your gear safely. Finally, you have to consider the likelihood of someone wanting to steal your equipment. If this is more likely in the location you are travelling to then, maybe consider taking more discreet gear with you.

Transport

Public land transport and public air travel. This mode of transport can be limited in terms of luggage space so pack carefully. It's best to see what space will be available and pack to that. For flights, you’ve got a choice, carry-on or checked? For a long-haul flight, I would suggest checking in your gear equipment, but not film! For short-haul try and get it in as a carry-on and then it’s a quick entry and exit in the airports and no risk of stuff going missing. Remember film is sensitive to X-ray and CT scans so never check in film and when going through security ideally get it checked by hand.

Personal vehicle land transport. Your only limitation here is the size of your vehicle.

Bags and hard cases

I swear by hard cases, particularly Pelican cases. I've had a myriad of soft cases and bags and none offer the protection of a hard case and foam inserts. You can also put them in a backpack or suitcase for discreet transport.