I love photography and when I travel I usually like to bring many cameras with me. I love to take photos because they are a great way of remembering a trip. But when I travel I want to make sure not only to have everything I need but also that all my photography gear arrives safely to my destination. This is a post on how to keep your camera safe while traveling, including some products I use and recommend.
In this post you will find:
Best tips for keeping your camera safe while traveling:
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Always bring your camera with you as a carry-on
Always keep your camera close. If you are traveling by plane, don’t store it in the overhead compartments on the plane, keep it under the seat in front of you. Bring a bag just for your camera like this classic Camera shoulder bag and another for the other carry on stuff. Camera safety first.
If you are bringing film rolls, put them inside your carry on bag. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ISO 800.
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Keep your camera safe if you’re not using it
You don’t need to bring your camera everywhere. When I travel I don’t use every camera everyday. For example: If I’m going to the beach, I leave my DSLR at the place I’m staying and bring only my GoPro or my Instax Mini. I keep all the cameras I’m not using that day locked inside my suitcase or in the safe box. Never leave anything of value in a hotel room.
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Use the camera strap
Seriously I don’t understand people who just hold the camera with their hands, it is not safe enough. Even if it’s a compact camera, it is always better to use a neckstrap. There are some really cute camera straps if you don’t want to use the one that comes with the camera.
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Be aware of your surroundings
Sometimes when we travel, we tend to be more distracted and relaxed. This is perfect for opportunistic thieves out there. So when you travel, I recommend you take your camera out only when you’re going to use it and where you feel safe. Be aware of what’s happening around and just put the camera in your bag when you’re not using it.
Everyone notices you’re a tourist when you are walking with a camera around your neck and tourists are easy targets for thieves. Keep the camera close. If you’re at a restaurant, don’t leave your equipment unattended or hanging at the back of your chair.
Walking around Istanbul with my camera bag
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Don’t look like you’re carrying a camera
If you carry your camera in a normal camera bag, any thief will know there are thousands of dollars worth of valuable in it. Carry your camera in a normal bag so you don’t look like you’re carrying a camera. Some people just use an old bag or backpack.
I prefer the DSLR camera bags that don’t look like it but have all the compartments inside, like the stylish Ona bags. I think this is the best way to carry a camera while traveling.
- Keep it dry and clean
As I said before, I usually don’t bring my DSLR to the beach, and bring my GoPro instead. If you don’t have one, or simply want to bring your DSLR camera, you could get a waterproof case or bag for protection.
Aside from this, you could also get a rain cover for your backpack, it can be really useful when it rains and protect all your photography gear. If you have a GoPro, and plan on doing some underwater shots I strongly suggest you buy a floating hand grip, it saved my camera on many occassions.
To remove any dust it can also be useful to take a rocket blower.
My Fuji Instax is safe in its cute flamingo case
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Keep your camera accessories organized
Organize the cables, batteries, lens, memories and everything you need. I use a memory card organizer so I can keep the memories safe and together in one place. Also, keep a record of your gear. If you have too many things, consider making a list of the gear that you bring with you when traveling.
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21 comments
The tips are nice and helpful for me . I am a traveler and always was looking for guidance about how to secure my camera and gear. It is an expensive thing and we should know about it. The products were good too!
Thank you Evelyn! I’m glad the tips helped 🙂
Fantastic tips! I always seem to lose my lens caps! I can’t count how many times I’ve had to buy replacements!
I love my Lo & Sons camera bag its the perfect size and doesn’t look like a camera bag at all! It also has other compartments so I can put my phone, passport and things like that 🙂 xx
I’ve lost my lens caps many times but always found it later in my pocket or somewhere haha.
These are great tips! I need to get myself a stylish camera bag to finally organize myself with all my camera gear.
Glad you liked the tips! Those camera bags are the best, I love mine
Great list! Some of these bags are really great and stylish. I would definitely carry the leather one.
Thanks for reading Nathan. I want the leather one too!
I don’t have a DSLR camera, just a little compact but I am always conscious that when you have a camera out you look like a tourist. It’s a good idea to get a specific bag though that does not look like a camera bag for it. This has been my reason for not getting a DSLR, just the amount of space it takes up and I already travel with far too much stuff too!!
You have to be much more careful when carrying a DSLR. I bring it to some destinations only and I have a compact camera for other trips. But I agree, just the amount of space is something to consider getting a compact camera instead.
Ah..my camera is probably the most important item on any trip. My best tip would be…do things slowly and always be aware of your surroundings. All the damage that happened to my equipment (like ever!) was from me being to hasty or not seeing an obstacle *lol*
Haha totally agree with your tip! Also: don’t climb rocks with your camera hanging from your neck, it’s never a good idea.
I have not bought a DSLR just because of the inconvenience. I just take a goprp everywhere and then my smartphone cam does rest of the job.
That’s a good option. I usually bring my GoPro everywhere and just bring my DSLR to some places
Great tips, can you believe that I did a one year world tour with my cameras and nothing happened and back home in Paris I had my Canon 5D stolen a couple of weeks after my arrival? Sometimes we believe nothing can happen to us at home and we have our guard down but . . .
That sounds awful! I live in Buenos Aires and I usually have to be more careful here than anywhere around the world haha
My camera is my baby! I always am trying to protect it. You have some great tips about keeping your camera safe! It’s very important to keep your camera in it’s own case!
Thanks for reading Audrey! My camera is like my baby too 🙂
It’s so important to keep your camera safe. We’d be devastated if we lost ours and all the memories that it helps us make.
Me too! Would just ruin my trip
I struggle with this issue so much. I hate carrying the cumbersome case but then I’m always worried by camera will get damaged by just tossing it in my purse. Uggh. Love the rain guard for the camera, that is so cute.
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