URGENT UPDATE: As travel season ramps up, professionals are sharing essential packing tips for photographers heading to out-of-state weddings. A new video by photographer Alex Cooke highlights critical strategies to ensure your cameras, clothes, and backup gear are safely packed, maximizing efficiency while minimizing stress.
With wedding timelines tightening, meticulous packing is crucial. Cooke emphasizes a solid packing system that keeps all essential camera gear on your body, avoiding the risks of checked luggage. He advocates for a non-negotiable carry-on approach, structuring his entire travel setup around this rule.
Cooke’s go-to is the Roamographer, a versatile bag designed for quick access and organization. The interior features a removable insert where he stores two camera bodies side by side, allowing him to disembark ready to shoot. For additional flexibility, he stacks a lightweight backup body on top, ensuring he’s equipped for both professional shoots and casual filming.
The Roamographer fits easily in overhead bins or under seats, making it an airline-friendly option even when fully loaded. On one side, Cooke organizes core prime lenses in a dedicated compartment, enabling quick retrieval by feel rather than rummaging through pockets. A separate section for flashes prevents damage to camera bodies and lenses, while another compartment houses chargers, audio equipment, extra batteries, and business cards.
A crucial aspect of Cooke’s system is a harness that allows him to operate two cameras simultaneously throughout the day. Once at the hotel, the Roamographer transforms into a staging station, facilitating the transition to smaller bags for actual wedding day operations. This arrangement ensures that if a checked bag goes missing, he can still perform his job seamlessly with gear already on hand.
Cooke also addresses the non-critical items in his travel arsenal. For clothes, he uses a suitcase-style backpack that opens flat, expanding from 35 to 40 liters. He utilizes packing cubes, rolling shirts, and other techniques to optimize space for both short wedding weekends and longer trips. A compact toiletry kit fills gaps, while a dedicated tech pouch keeps cables and chargers organized.
In an innovative twist, Cooke’s modular packing allows for the integration of a camera insert into the clothing bag, transforming it into a stealth camera backpack for sightseeing trips or personal travel. He ensures business cards are accessible in every bag, preventing last-minute scrambles during travel.
Should Cooke need to check a bag containing larger accessories, his system remains adaptable, allowing him to be ready for any wedding day scenario, even if the airline mishandles other luggage.
For those looking to enhance their travel efficiency and ensure a smooth shooting experience, Cooke’s video provides a comprehensive guide. Check it out now for full insights on optimizing your travel gear.
