Travelling with a “Photographer”

Ok, travelling with a photographer can be great to get wonderful images of me eating and drinking, but it can be annoying because of the time needed to “get the shot”. Randy is a good guy and only pretends to get annoyed when I eat his food, or drink his drinks (he really likes Orange Fanta in Europe and it is soooooo yummy), but at the same time he is a “photographer”. What photographers need to do is this, think about why they’re travelling and what they really need to bring with them. I try to tell him, you’re not being paid to travel and you’re not taking the time to set up sessions with people along the way, you’re travelling to relax (and for me to eat your snacks).

I tried to lift his camera bag the other day and wow, it was half the weight of Candy… why would he even consider lugging that around on trains, busses, boats, and by foot? I did overhear him the other day saying he wasn’t going to take nearly as much as other times. I think he finally learned his lesson.

All photographers who are new to travelling or veteran travelers who just bought some fancy new camera gear usually “need” to take the gear with them. Sure, take it and learn what you really need. Pay attention to what you use during the trip – are most of your images at 80mm (take just that, or a lens that covers it). You’ll likely be packing a lot lighter the second trip, and even lighter the following trips.

I’ve travelled to several countries with too much gear and it is a pain in the neck (literally since I use a shoulder bag). That stuff is heavy and isn’t needed. I’m really looking forward to Norway and I’m only taking my Fuji x100t and my iPad mini for editing – no Canon 5DIII with 70-200 lens, lights, laptop, 24-70 lens, 100mm lens, tripod and all that crap. No, I’m going to enjoy my trip and make the images I can make with what I have limited myself to. Plus, having a sub $1500 potentially stolen is much better than a bag of stuff costing upwards or over $10k.
REN 

I’m happy Randy learned his lesson and could change things up. It will make room for so many snacks in his bag that I might not have to leave it at all. Candy as well has switched back to a lighter easier camera for travel. Her Canon S90 is still going strong after buying it in 2009 and it produces great images of me.

So, the lesson to be learned here for photographers new to travel or veterans just buying fancy new equipment – travel light and enjoy your trip. If you don’t believe me, David Hobby from Strobist has a great blog here to check out. 

*Oink oink