photo by Mikhail Dmitriev via iStock
No matter how long I’ve been working in the photography industry, I find myself having to relearn how to pack a camera bag every couple of months.
While I consider myself pretty proficient at all of the basics, as I pick up more and more photography gear, I find myself having to rearrange how I pack my camera bag. I also have to continuously question whether I truly need a specific piece of gear or not on certain shoots.
If you’re having the same problems that I am, or if you’re a brand new photographer who never learned how to pack your camera gear, I’ve got a couple of tips for you that I’ve picked up.
Remember That Each Pocket is Sacred
photo by MediaProduction via iStock
The first rule of thumb you need to remember when learning both how to pack your camera gear and how to protect your camera gear is that each pocket is sacred.
No matter what kind of a camera bag you own, each pocket is designed to carry one item. You can put one lens in each pocket or one camera in each pocket, but if you find yourself starting to double up, this means you need to get a larger camera bag because it is one of the easiest ways to damage your gear.
The reason why the dividers in your camera bag are so padded is so that individual pieces of your gear don't accidentally bump into one another, since this can cause scratching or, worst case scenario, a broken lens.
Keep Your Lenses Pointing Up
photo by Simon_I via iStock
Another tip you need to remember when learning how to pack your camera gear is to always keep your lenses pointing up.
It’s a simple tip, but one that can save you a lot of heartbreak because if you point your lenses down, you are challenging the universe to break them.
Think about it: how many times have you gotten home from a long day of shooting and accidentally set your camera bag down a little too hard? It’s easy to do, even if you’re the most careful of photographers.
If you own a good camera bag, it is designed to prevent your lenses from breaking even if you do accidentally drop it. But, if you accidentally drop your bag and the glass on your lenses is taking all of that force, they’re going to break regardless.
So, when you’re teaching yourself how to pack your camera gear, start with the lenses so you always remember to point them towards you.
Learn More:
- The Perfect Lightweight Camera Bag and Strap
- Stylish Photography Accessories That Are Also Functional
Only Work with Bags that Are Customizable
Every photographer has a slightly different style, both in how they shoot and edit their photos, but also in how they like their gear packed. So, it doesn’t make sense to buy a bag that isn’t capable of conforming to your little quirks.
It’s why I recommend that you start learning how to pack your camera gear with a solid bag. There’s basically nothing more frustrating than figuring out how you like your bag packed just to recognize that you actually need a different one.
For a fully customizable option, I recommend Holdfast’s Roamographer Bag. The bag comes with a removable insert that is completely customizable. In fact, the insert is so popular that Holdfast now sells it on an individual basis.
The bag also comes in a range of sizes so that you can get one to fit your needs. The small bag is great for a mirrorless camera, while the medium and large bags are designed for shooters with a DSLR or multiple cameras.
The bag is also stylish, so you can confidently meet with prospective clients. It comes in brown or dark chocolate, depending on your preference, and is guaranteed for life.
So, while the $610 price tag is a bit overwhelming at first, you’ll never need to buy another bag again.
Bring Just What You Need
photo by jesv via iStock
You’re never going to learn how to pack your camera gear properly if you’re trying to bring all of your gear every single time you go out to shoot.
This is definitely a common mistake with beginner photographers. You don’t want to get caught out in the field without something imperative, so you figure it’s just easiest to bring everything.
This won’t be a good long term solution for a number of reasons. For starters, you’re going to be uncomfortable lugging all of that equipment around all day. But you’ll also feel like you need to buy a far larger camera bag than you actually need, which is just ineffective.
While learning how to pack your camera gear, take a long, hard look at your use of your gear.