Over the years I have racked up a lot of international travel as well as national travel. Packing my camera equipment has become a sort of art for me, especially as my equipment has expanded and evolved with time.
I truthfully still remember my first time traveling with my first camera, like one spare lens, before I really thought of myself as a true photographer. I was leaving the country solo for the first time, I knew I wanted my camera in my carry-on or personal bag so to achieve that I literally padded my personal bag, packed the camera, extra lens, flash, and batteries as well as my bulky lap top (didn’t have a nice thin MAC at the time) and necessary cords to function. It was bulky, not the best in protection, and not ideal but I made it work for me.
I learned a lot since then, I have grown a lot and my bags have sure changed a lot! Realistically, I can not take half the equipment I own so planning my pack, planning my sessions is a must. National travel I take multiple bodies, my Tamron Lenses because I am obsessed (28-70 and 70-200 mm ARE MY MUST HAVES FOR ALL TRIPS!) As well as a few primes perhaps and then I turn to lighting. I love ice lights so those make majority of my portrait sessions nationally as well as my portable studio (only if driving- trunk gear!) All batteries, card storage and tablets or computers also stored with my camera (Canon 80d/ T3i respectively) in my Thinktank Urban Disguise Bag (Durable, well made, and super awesome).
My international bag has grown a lot smaller mostly due to airport regulations. I have a Peak Design sling that I can fit my main Tamron Lenses, and two smaller primes as well as my main body the 80d (Canon). I can take my batteries and extra card storage. However depending on length of trip I usually leave the computer or tablet at home preferring to do my edits and review footage after I have returned. In the past on much longer trips I always made sure to take a computer and editing system. Sadly my trip lengths have shortened to where I can get away with way less.
One thing I do advocate is making do with the lenses you have, mastering them and using whatever limits they have as a challenge to grow as a photographer. I do not have a ton by lenses anymore, I mainly use my Tamron 28-70 and 70-200 lenses. I have a 24 mm prime, 50mm and a 85 mm prime, the 50 may get the most work out of them all. While I have plenty of lenses on a wish list I have found those five beauties listed above serve my needs from weddings, rodeos, to landscapes and portraits. Make what you have work for you. Pack smart, travel, and capture the world!
Man in Accra, Ghana (2012)