How to Work Remotely as a Photographer
- Canon EOS R5
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS
- Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L IS
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
- Peak Design Travel Tripod
- Apple Macbook Pro
- Desklab Ultralight Portable 4K Monitor
- Various and sundry accessories, like memory cards, extra batteries, camera remote, lens cleaning kit, etc.
One of the great things about being a landscape photographer is that I get the opportunity to travel and photograph some truly incredible places.
From Norway to Mexico, Turkey to Joshua Tree, my camera and I have had some pretty good times together over the years.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and roses; work is work, even when you're traveling to awesome places. You still need to buckle down and get things done when you'd rather be outside the four walls of your hotel room admiring the beauty around you.
With this in mind, I thought I'd share a few things I've learned about how to work remotely as a photographer. From must-have gear to organization tips to understanding how to communicate with clients from afar, this list will help you go from being a newbie to be a pro remote worker.
Let's get started!
Let's Talk About Gear
I don't know about you, but when I'm packing my photography gear for a trip, I always start by trying to take way too much stuff.
Inevitably, I find that my bags are too full and too heavy, and I have to cull the gear that I initially thought was critical for my success.
For me, I don't need half a dozen lenses and two camera bodies and a drone. There's really just a few essentials:
So, as you can see, while this is not a bare bones kit by any means, it's not like I'm taking the kitchen sink, either.
As far as these items go, you're probably familiar with most of them. But I do want to point out the value of one item in particular - my Desklab Ultralight Portable 4K Monitor.
When working remotely, having a high-quality portable monitor like this is a huge bonus.
I can use it with my Macbook to have a second screen for getting twice as much work done at once. When it comes time to edit photos, I can sit down with its 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen with 4K resolution and easily see the intricate details of my images.
As the hours of work go on, I know that my eyes won't experience strain because Desklab designed this monitor with low flicker performance, a low blue light filter, and anti-glare technology.
And at just one pound, it's so easy to slide this monitor in my camera bag and take off. I can take this monitor wherever I want, and with loads of connectivity options, I can get to work quickly, too.
The monitor has an HDMI port, two USB-C ports, and a micro USB port to go along with a headphone jack. And since this monitor works with any device, I can use it with my Macbook or my iPhone. If I switch to Windows and Android, I'll be covered there too because the monitor is a simple plug-and-play device - no setup needed!
Truly, Desklab has thought of everything with this monitor. It's well built, has a gorgeous screen, connectivity options galore, built-in speakers, and sports a built-in stand, among many other options.
If working on the go is something you frequently do or want to do, having a monitor like this in your camera bag will make quick work of work - and then you can get to fun stuff like Zooming with your family or watching Netflix on your big, beautiful, portable screen!
To Work Remotely Requires Impeccable Organization
Photo by fizkes via iStock
Whether remote work for you means working at home or working on a two-week trek through Africa, you will need to commit yourself to being as organized as possible, lest it will make your work that much more difficult.
For me, organization starts with making lists.
I'll sit down and make a weekly list of things I need to accomplish, from specific tasks I need to undertake or deadlines I need to meet.
Then, I make a list at the start of each day. This list is much more detailed and often includes notes like "See email from Sharon" or "Image 3482 is the hero shot" so I have the specifics of what I need to do right there in the list. As tasks are completed, I mark them off (which is a great feeling, by the way).
Another part of staying organized while working remotely is to have a place for everything.
Sometimes I get a little wild and my hotel rooms look like a rock star trashed the place. It's just too easy to be disorganized!
But disorganization makes my work so much harder. So by finding spots for everything - from my clothes to my lenses - helps me keep things neat and tidy and spend less time trying to find what I need in a huge mess.
Photo by bobakphoto via iStock
I would add to this organization device to keep your e-mails organized as well. Gmail has a wealth of organizational tools, including folders and subfolders, starring, labeling, and so forth.
When you send and receive hundreds of emails a day like I do, things can quickly get out of control, just like a messy hotel room.
Do yourself a favor and clean up your inbox as often as you clean up your workspace. Delete messages you don't need. Categorize your emails by client, too. It will help immensely!
Keep In Touch While You're Gone
Photo by fizkes via iStock
Just because I'm on a photography trip on the other side of the globe doesn't mean that I can't drop communication with my clients.
Quite the contrary, I need to make time to be available to my clients to answer any questions or hear their concerns. You need to do the same.
Fortunately, staying in touch has never been easier. You can quickly drop a text or a phone call, send your client an email, or better yet, hop on Zoom for a face-to-face teleconference on your Desklab Ultralight Portable 4K Monitor.
Even if you keep it brief, checking in with your clients periodically will let them know that you're thinking about them and that they are important to you. This is an essential part of building a brand and a business - having good customer relations will help you forge relationships with clients that are long-lasting.
So, as you embark on working remotely, just remember to keep in touch, be organized, and only take the gear you need. If you can do these things, you'll be set up for success!
