by True Blue

Created on: June 02, 2009   Last Updated: June 03, 2009

Camera equipment can be incredibly expensive to replace, especially if you use professional equipment or are employed in a professional capacity. Not having the right equipment when you need it can ruin your day, cost you your job, and quite possibly your reputation. So making sure your equipment is insured and protected is vital. Below are a few recommendations you should consider when travelling with photo equipment.

Insurance

Insurance is the first thing on most photographers minds as soon as travel plans are finalized. Home Insurance does not always cover equipment on holidays, so an advisory check with the insurance company while you insure yourself, whether your equipment is covered on holiday or not, can alleviate that nagging stress in the back of your mind about being careful all the time. As an added safeguard, take pictures of your equipment and record all serial numbers, get an approximate total, in monetary value for all your equipment and then use a reputable Insurer, like Photo Guard or Camera Insurance.

Homework

Before you leave it's always good to research your destination. The law of the land with regards to photography and taking pictures of the locals is always worth a look, especially when you travel to Muslim countries. Taking pictures of the women and children in certain areas could bring "religious police" known as Muttawa'een to your door. They are authorised to arrest you, detain you indefinitely, and seize your equipment if they think you taking pictures that are forbidden.

Check list

Before you pack, ensure you have all the equipment in one place preferably on a clean dust free surface. Check all the equipment is working, and that you have all you will need to keep operational, including spares. Extras you might need are adaptors, travel plugs, extra memory, if you're on a longer trip, and a CD folder with Blank DVDs you can write to to free up memory on your computer. Pack your photo rolls and memory cards separately in a shoulder bag, and keep well away from Customs X-ray machines, that tend to have a non-discriminating way of wiping everything clean.

Cleaning equipment

Make sure you have your camera cleaning equipment in order to clean your camera and lenses when you get to your destination. Dust has a horrible way of getting every where, and there is nothing worse than trying to get a lens clean without the right stuff.

Carry all

Camera equipment, although made quite robustly for you to handle, is always at risk from

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