Things you should do before any photography trip

Research and Reconnaissance: Laying the Groundwork

The most memorable photographs are rarely a product of pure luck. They are born from preparation, a deep understanding of place, and a thoughtful approach that begins long before the camera leaves its bag. This initial phase of research is about building a foundation for creativity, allowing you to arrive on location not as a tourist, but as a photographer ready to capture its essence.

Scout Your Location Digitally

Before you set foot in a new place, you can explore it intimately from your own home. Digital tools provide an incredible advantage, helping you visualize compositions, understand the terrain, and discover hidden gems that guidebooks might miss. This virtual reconnaissance transforms your trip from a series of guesses into a well-informed expedition.

• Technical Planning Tools: Applications like Google Earth, PhotoPills, and The Photographer’s Ephemeris are indispensable. Use them to see the topography, check sightlines, and, most importantly, predict the exact position of the sun, moon, and Milky Way at any given time and date. This allows you to plan where to stand for that perfect golden hour light hitting a mountain peak.
• Visual Inspiration Platforms: Browse sites like Instagram, 500px, and Flickr by searching for location tags or geotags. This isn’t about copying other people’s work, but about understanding what’s possible. You can identify popular viewpoints, discover lesser-known spots, and see how different photographers have interpreted the same scene.
• Insider Knowledge: Delve into travel blogs and specialized photography guides for your destination. These resources often provide practical advice that technical apps can’t, such as the best trail to take for a sunrise view, current accessibility issues, or tips on avoiding crowds.

Understand the Light and Weather

Light is the raw material of photography, and the weather is its unpredictable collaborator. Understanding how these two elements interact at your destination is crucial. Researching the atmospheric character of a place is just as important as knowing its landmarks.

Start by noting the precise sunrise, sunset, and twilight times (both civil and astronomical) for your travel dates. This defines your shooting windows for the soft, warm light of the “golden hours” and the deep blues of the “blue hour.” Beyond the daily schedule, look into historical weather data for the season. Are you likely to encounter crisp, clear skies, or is it the rainy season? This knowledge informs not only your packing list but also your creative expectations.

Plan for a variety of conditions. While a clear, sunny day is pleasant, it often produces harsh, uninteresting light for much of the day. Embrace what some might call “bad” weather. Overcast skies create a giant, soft light source perfect for portraits and forest scenes. Fog and mist can add mystery and depth to landscapes, isolating subjects beautifully. A dramatic, stormy sky will almost always yield more compelling images than a plain blue one. The key is to see challenging weather not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for unique and evocative photographs.

Create a Flexible Shot List

A shot list is your creative roadmap. It’s a way to translate your research into a tangible plan, ensuring you don’t miss your most anticipated shots. However, the best shot lists are treated as guides, not as rigid itineraries. The goal is to provide structure without stifling creativity or the joy of discovery.

Begin by listing your must-have locations and any specific compositions you’ve envisioned. Perhaps it’s a wide-angle shot of a particular coastline at dawn or a telephoto compression of distant mountains. To give your collection of images a cohesive feel, consider brainstorming a theme or a visual story. Are you focusing on the architecture, the local culture, the abstract patterns in nature, or the interplay of light and shadow? A central theme helps you make more deliberate choices in the field.

Crucially, balance your plan with unscheduled time. Some of the most powerful photographs come from spontaneous moments—a fleeting expression, an unexpected shaft of light, or a scene you stumble upon while wandering. An overly packed schedule can lead to rushed, uninspired work. Build in time to simply explore, observe, and react to the world around you.

Know the Local Rules and Culture

A successful photography trip involves more than just technical and creative preparation; it requires respect for the places and people you visit. Being a responsible photographer ensures you can get the shots you want without causing disruption or offense, and helps preserve access for future visitors.

• Permits and Permissions: Many locations have specific rules for photography. National parks, historical monuments, and government buildings may require permits, especially for commercial work or even just for using a tripod. Always check the official websites for the places you plan to visit. If you hope to shoot on private property, you must seek permission from the owner beforehand.
• Drone Regulations: The rules for flying drones vary dramatically between countries and even municipalities. Ignorance is not a valid excuse and can lead to hefty fines or confiscation of your equipment. Research the local aviation authority’s regulations thoroughly before you pack your drone.
• Cultural Sensitivities: When your subject is people, your first priority is their dignity. In many cultures, it is considered rude to photograph someone without asking for their permission. Learn a few words of the local language to ask politely. Be especially mindful around religious sites, ceremonies, and private moments. Observe the local customs and put your camera away if it feels intrusive. The human connection is more important than the photograph.

Gear Selection and Preparation: Packing with Purpose

Once your research is complete, the next phase involves a thoughtful and deliberate approach to packing your gear. The goal is not to bring everything you own, but to assemble a kit that is perfectly tailored to your destination and shot list. Every item should earn its place in your bag, balancing capability with the practicalities of travel.

Curate Your Camera Kit

The core of your photography kit begins with your camera and lenses. This is where your pre-trip research directly informs your decisions. A trip focused on vast Icelandic landscapes will require a different setup than one centered on the bustling street markets of Marrakesh.

• Camera Body: For most trips, a single reliable camera body is sufficient. However, if photography is the sole purpose of your travel, consider bringing a backup. This could be a smaller mirrorless camera or an older model you trust. It provides peace of mind and can be a lifesaver if your primary camera fails.
• Lens Selection: Your shot list is your guide. For grand vistas and architecture, a wide-angle zoom (like a 16-35mm) is indispensable. For wildlife or compressing distant landscape elements, a telephoto lens (such as a 70-200mm) is crucial. For street photography, environmental portraits, and low-light situations, a fast prime lens (like a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4) offers beautiful image quality and a discreet profile. For stunning travel portraits, consider learning how to use an 85mm lens.
• Zooms vs. Primes: This is a classic debate with no single right answer. Zoom lenses offer immense versatility, allowing you to adapt to changing scenes without moving your feet or changing lenses. Prime lenses, on the other hand, are typically sharper, faster (with wider apertures), and lighter. A balanced approach often works best: a versatile zoom for general shooting, supplemented by one or two small prime lenses for specific creative purposes.

Pack Essential Accessories

The right accessories are not afterthoughts; they are force multipliers that unlock new creative possibilities and protect you from common frustrations. Leaving a critical piece behind can mean missing the shot you traveled thousands of miles to capture. Learning photography tours essentials is key to a successful trip.

• Tripod: A sturdy, reliable tripod is non-negotiable for serious landscape photography. It’s the only way to achieve sharp, noise-free images during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, capture the smooth motion of water with long exposures, or photograph the night sky. Look for a balance of stability and portability; a flimsy travel tripod that vibrates in a light breeze is often worse than no tripod at all.
• Filters: Lens filters are essential tools for controlling light in-camera. A Circular Polarizer (CPL) is key for darkening blue skies, reducing glare on water and foliage, and boosting color saturation. Neutral Density (ND) filters act like sunglasses for your lens, allowing you to use slow shutter speeds in bright light. Graduated ND (GND) filters help balance the exposure between a bright sky and a darker foreground, a common challenge in landscape photography.
• Power: A dead battery is a dead camera. Pack at least two or three extra batteries and be sure to bring your charger. For multi-day treks or locations without reliable electricity, a portable power bank with the correct outputs can be a trip-saver, allowing you to recharge batteries and other devices on the go.
• Memory Cards: Pack more memory than you anticipate needing. High-resolution RAW files consume a lot of space, and memory cards can fail. Spreading your shots across several smaller cards is often safer than relying on one massive card. It’s a small, lightweight item that provides significant peace of mind.
• Cleaning Kit: Your gear will get dirty. A basic field cleaning kit is essential for maintaining image quality. This should include a rocket blower to remove dust from your sensor and lens elements, several microfiber cloths for smudges, and a lens pen for removing stubborn spots or oil.

Choose the Right Camera Bag

Your camera bag does more than just hold your equipment; it protects your investment, organizes your workflow, and impacts your physical comfort throughout the trip. The right bag depends entirely on your travel style and itinerary. Selecting the right gear is a crucial step in mastering travel photography.

Consider the main types of bags and their uses. A technical hiking backpack with a dedicated camera insert is ideal for long treks where comfort and weight distribution are paramount. A shoulder bag or sling offers quick access, making it perfect for city exploration and street photography. For trips involving flights and heavy gear, a rolling case provides maximum protection and saves your back in airports and hotels.

When choosing, prioritize three factors: comfort, accessibility, and protection. The bag should be comfortable to carry for hours, allow you to retrieve your gear without a struggle, and shield it from both impact and weather. As a final tip, consider a bag that doesn’t overtly advertise its contents. A discreet bag that doesn’t scream “expensive camera gear” can be a significant advantage for security, helping you blend in and deter unwanted attention. Understanding the dos and don’ts of photography tours can also enhance your experience.

Technical Tune-Up and Data Management

The most inspiring location and perfect light are of little use if your equipment fails or your digital workflow is chaotic. A pre-trip technical check-up is not just about maintenance; it’s about setting yourself up for a smooth, efficient, and secure shooting experience from the moment you leave home.

Perform a Full Gear Inspection

Think of this as a pre-flight check for your creative tools. Discovering a problem in a remote location can be a trip-ruining event, so a thorough inspection at home is one of the most valuable investments of your time.

• Clean Your Gear: Start with a pristine foundation. Carefully clean the front and rear elements of all your lenses using a microfiber cloth and appropriate cleaning solution. Use a rocket blower to remove dust from your camera body and mirror box. For sensor cleaning, if you are not comfortable performing it yourself, take it to a professional camera shop. A clean sensor prevents countless hours of spotting in post-production.
• Test All Functions: Don’t just assume everything works. Mount each lens and test its autofocus at various distances. Cycle through your camera’s buttons and dials to ensure they respond correctly. Take a few test shots at different shutter speeds to confirm the shutter mechanism is sound. This is also a good time to check your tripod head, plates, and legs to ensure they are stable and lock securely.
• Update Firmware: Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates for cameras and lenses that can fix bugs, improve autofocus performance, or even add new features. Visit your camera brand’s official website, check the current firmware version on your gear, and update it if necessary. This simple step can significantly enhance your equipment’s reliability and performance.

Prepare Your Data Workflow

Your photographs are the invaluable result of your journey. Protecting them from the moment of capture is paramount. A well-planned data workflow minimizes the risk of loss due to card failure, theft, or user error.

• Format All Memory Cards In-Camera: Never head out with cards full of old photos. Before your trip, format every single memory card using the camera you intend to shoot with. Deleting images on a computer can sometimes leave behind hidden files or disrupt the card’s file structure. Formatting in-camera wipes the card clean and sets up a fresh file system perfectly matched to that specific camera, drastically reducing the risk of data corruption or card errors in the field.
• Clear Your Storage Drives: Ensure your laptop and any portable hard drives have ample free space. The last thing you want is to run out of storage midway through your trip and be forced to make difficult decisions about which files to delete.
• Outline Your On-the-Road Backup Strategy: A robust backup plan is non-negotiable. The industry standard is the 3-2-1 rule: maintain at least three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one copy stored in a separate physical location. On a trip, this could look like this:
  1. Copy 1: The original files on your memory cards.
  2. Copy 2: A copy on your laptop’s internal drive.
  3. Copy 3: A second copy on a portable external hard drive.

  At the end of each day, transfer your photos to both your laptop and the external drive. Keep the external drive in a different bag from your laptop (e.g., one in your camera bag, one in your hotel room safe) to protect against a single instance of loss or theft.

Customize Your Camera Settings

Your camera is a complex tool; customizing it to your specific needs allows you to react more quickly to changing scenes and focus on composition rather than menu diving. Set it up for success before you even step on the plane.

• Set Up Custom Modes: Most modern cameras have custom shooting modes (often labeled C1, C2, C3). Program these for your most common scenarios. For example, you could set C1 for landscapes (low ISO, f/8, 2-second timer) and C2 for action or wildlife (high shutter speed, continuous autofocus, burst mode). This allows you to switch between complex settings with the turn of a single dial.
• Adjust Basic Settings: Ensure your camera is set to capture the highest quality files. This means shooting in RAW, which retains all the sensor data and provides maximum flexibility for editing. Also, check your color space (Adobe RGB is generally preferred for printing, while sRGB is the standard for web) and, most importantly, enable the live histogram display. The histogram is the only truly accurate way to judge your exposure, as the brightness of your LCD screen can be misleading in bright sun or darkness. This is a fundamental aspect of Mastering Exposure Triangle.
• Ensure Correct Date and Time: This is a small but critical detail. Before you leave, set your camera’s clock to the local time of your destination. Correct timestamps are essential for organizing your photos chronologically after the trip and for maintaining accurate metadata, especially if you are shooting with multiple cameras.

Personal and Logistical Prep

With your gear prepared and your itinerary mapped out, the final steps focus on the most important element: you. A successful photography trip requires more than just the right equipment; it demands a prepared mind, a comfortable body, and the peace of mind that comes from handling the practical details. This last phase ensures you can immerse yourself fully in the creative process once you arrive.

Sharpen Your Creative Skills

Arriving at a stunning location with a rusty creative eye is a missed opportunity. Just as you’d tune up your camera, you should warm up your photographic mind. This isn’t about pressure; it’s about building confidence so that your skills are second nature when the perfect moment unfolds. You can learn more about how to master travel photography.

• Practice specific techniques. If you plan to capture silky smooth waterfalls in Costa Rica, spend an afternoon practicing long exposures at a local park. If grand mountain vistas in the Alps are your goal, try focus stacking on a smaller scale in your own backyard. Building this muscle memory frees you up to focus on composition in the field.
• Review composition fundamentals. It’s easy to forget the basics like the rule of thirds, leading lines, or framing when you’re overwhelmed by a new and exciting scene. Spend an hour looking through photography books or articles to refresh these principles. They will help you find order in the chaos and elevate your images from simple records to compelling stories.
• Set a creative goal. Move beyond a simple checklist of locations. Try to define a theme or a visual story for your trip. Perhaps it’s “The Colors of Autumn in Vermont” or “Humanity and Nature in the Scottish Highlands.” This provides a guiding vision, encouraging you to create a cohesive body of work rather than a collection of disconnected snapshots.

Pack for the Photographer, Not Just the Tourist

Your comfort and endurance directly impact the quality of your work. A photographer’s packing list is different because our schedule is dictated by light, not by museum hours. We are often out when others are asleep, and we stay in one spot for hours, waiting for conditions to change. Your clothing and personal items must support this unique approach to travel. For guidance on what to bring, check out our photography tours essentials.

• Weather-appropriate clothing in layers. A pre-dawn shoot can be frigid, even in a warm climate, but the midday hike to your next location can be hot and strenuous. Dressing in layers—a base layer, a mid-layer like a fleece, and a waterproof/windproof outer shell—allows you to adapt to changing conditions without retreating to your hotel.
• Sturdy, comfortable footwear. You will likely walk and stand far more than the average traveler, often on uneven or challenging terrain. A pair of well-worn, waterproof hiking boots or supportive walking shoes is one of the most important pieces of gear you can pack.
• Headlamp. This is an indispensable tool for any serious photographer. It keeps your hands free for navigating a trail in the dark to catch the sunrise or for adjusting camera settings during an astrophotography session. A model with a red light mode is especially useful, as it preserves your night vision.
• Snacks and water. The “golden hour” doesn’t wait for you to find a café. Waiting for the perfect light or for a cloud to move can be a long, patient game. Having high-energy snacks and plenty of water in your bag keeps you focused and prevents you from abandoning a promising scene simply because you’re hungry or dehydrated.

Final Administrative Checks

These last-minute logistical tasks are the unglamorous but essential foundation of a stress-free trip. Taking care of them beforehand allows you to focus completely on your photography, knowing that the practicalities are handled and you have a safety net in place.

• Confirm travel insurance. Don’t just buy any policy; read the fine print. Specifically, check the coverage limits for your camera gear. Many standard policies have a low per-item limit that won’t come close to replacing a professional lens or camera body. Consider a specialized policy if your gear’s value exceeds the coverage.
• Make copies of your documents. Scan or photograph your passport, visa, driver’s license, and travel itineraries. Save them to a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox and email a copy to yourself. It’s also wise to have a physical photocopy stored in a separate bag from the originals.
• Inform your bank. A quick phone call or online notification to your bank and credit card companies about your travel dates and destinations is crucial. This simple step prevents their fraud detection systems from blocking your card when you need it most.
• The final checklist review. The night before you leave, lay out every single piece of gear on your floor. Physically check each item against your packing list—camera bodies, lenses, batteries, memory cards, tripod plate, chargers, and cleaning cloths. This final, methodical ritual is your best defense against the morning panic of realizing a critical component is still sitting on your desk.