Alpha Photography Blog

Travelling is full of fun and wonderment.  You don’t want to have to be constantly worried about loosing your valuables, or worse still, someone stealing them.

Having travelled quite a lot with photography equipment, here are some of my suggestions for making sure travelling with your camera gear is as easy, and safe, as possible.

Much of the below is common sense.  Sometimes though, when you’re frantically trying to get everything done before you head away on holiday, it’s nice to have a few tips to prompt the preparation process.

Keeping your other valuables safe is also important, but here we’ll look at some tips for ensuring your camera stays where it belongs - with you!

Taking in your surroundings and photographically capturing them can distract you from what’s happening around you.  So, try and keep your camera out of sight (as much as is practical), yet easily accessible, when you’re not using it.

For example, these are the main ways I achieve this:

• Wear my camera backpack around the front, and have all the zipper pockets easy to reach for me (and not anyone with ’sticky’ fingers).  All my other items, such as a purse, are then also more secure.
• Alternatively, I take a photographic sling bag, worn around the front - it’s not as bulky, and the zippers are usually positioned so it’s easier to get into them when worn around the front of your body.

If your camera has a strap that can go around your neck, use it.  Even if the strap just fits around your wrist, put that on.  It’s also good practice to do this in case you accidentally let go of your camera.  This way it won’t have far to fall. 

If you’re really worried about someone stealing your bag, you can run a metal chain along the shoulder strap to prevent a thief from cutting your strap and running off with the entire contents.  Either sew it in, or fasten it to the straps with safety pins.

Here are just a few more common sense tips:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, and if you find yourself wandering into a not so safe part of town - get out of there as quickly, and calmly, as possible
• Keep all your belongings safe.  If your wallet is safe (which hopefully means it isn’t in your back pocket), you don’t have to be worried about that and keeping your camera secure.
• Be organised.  Have a place for everything in your bag, including all your photography equipment. Then you can quickly and easily find things and put them away where they belong.

While being prepared is always an advantage, remember you’re on holiday.  Take precautions, but remember to have fun.  It’s supposed to be relaxing!

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