Travel Tips for Photographers

 

1. Be an informed traveler.  Read the International Travel Information provided by the US Department of State (http://travel.state.gov ) and  the Travelers’ Health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/).  Know what Visas and medications you will need.  Learn about any problems in the area you are traveling to.

 

2. Pack a personal medical kit.   You will not find the pharmacy you are used to in many parts of the world so pack a medical kit along with your toiletries.  Here’s the medical kit I take.

 

3. Pack fewer clothes.  As you become a serious photographer, the weight of your photography equipment will go up so the weight of your clothes and other items must go down or you will continually pay for excess luggage.  I suggest taking 3 changes of clothes no matter how long you are travelling.  You can always find a way to clean them along the way.

 

4. Buy travel insurance.  International travel is different that flying within the US.  Things happen that you have no control over and you need a backup plan.  You need coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions and delays; lost stolen delayed or damaged luggage; and most importantly medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.

 

5. Drink lots of bottled water.   It is not safe to drink tap water in many countries so get in the habit of buying and drinking bottled water.  Use it to brush your teeth too.  Drink more water than you normally do to ensure you stay hydrated.  There is a tendency to drink more coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol when you travel because these drinks are perceived ‘safe’.  They are all diuretics, however, and will cause you to get dehydrated if you don’t drink enough water.

 

6. Eat cooked food.  Raw foods such as salads, fruits and vegetables are normally rinsed in tap water and cause most of the gastro-intestinal problems that travelers experience.   Proper cooking kills most of the bacteria that cause these problems.

 

7. Use local currency.  Get some local currency when you first arrive in a country.  Many places will not accept US dollars or will offer a bad exchange rate.  Most airports and major cities now have ATM machines that support your bank card and provide the best exchange rate and receipt of the transaction.  If you can’t find an ATM machine, change some cash or travelers checks at a currency exchange office or your hotel.

 

8. Prepare for different electrical standards.  Voltage, cycles and outlets vary around the world.  Make sure that all of your electrical items (chargers, laptops, ipods, etc) support a voltage range from 120 – 240 (or more).  Pack an adapter to convert the outlet style(s) in the country you are visiting to the one your electrical items require.  Outlet styles by country can be found on the web.

 

9. Prepare for different cell phone standards.  Most countries now offer cell phone service but networks and rates vary dramatically.  If you want your cell phone to work in most places around the world, invest in a world phone that supports multiple network types.  You will be roaming most of the time so make sure you know what your carrier’s roaming rates are.  Alternatively, you can rent a cell phone with another carrier’s SIM card or you can buy an unlocked phone and purchase SIM cards as you travel.

 

10. Take steps to protect your luggage.  Always lock your luggage with TSA locks.  Use covered identity tags on every bag and keep additional identification along with your itinerary inside your luggage.  Carry your cameras and other valuable items personally and don’t put them in checked luggage.

 

11. Make a list of the photos you want.  Chances are you have seen a picture that made you want to travel to the destination of your choice.  Every destination has ‘must have’ photo opportunities.  Make a list of the shots you want and find out what time of day they are best.  You will get lots of other shots too but you don’t want to miss the ones that brought you there to start with.

 

12. Use local knowledge.  Your photos will benefit greatly by using local guides that have guided photographers before.  They know where to go, what time the light is best, how to avoid the crowds and even safe places to eat.  It may be fun to explore on your own but if your goals include photographs, you will need a knowledgeable guide for some portion of your trip.