Travel Must-Haves for a Social Media strategist and Photographer
Hi! It’s Kat, and today I will be chatting with you about something a little less informational and a lot more fun. Have you ever wondered what a social media strategist and a photographer bestie pack for a trip? Well even if you’ve never wondered that before, today we will be sure to tell you! This week, Emily and I will be heading to Houston Texas to soak up some sun and a get a little work done. I will be photographing a two-day wedding (yes, I am retired, I promise), and Ems is along for the ride to work remotely and capture some much-needed b-roll footage for TLC. But before the bestie travel fun can begin, the daunting task of packing for a work/ fun trip must commence. (Insert daunting music here). I, for one, HATE packing. Having lived in various countries over the years, many times out of a backpack, I have developed a slight aversion to suitcases and backpacks. However, I know that it’s just one necessary evil that leads to a while lot of awesomeness! So here is our list of travel must-haves for a social media strategist and a photographer.
Technology etc.
Obviously being in the social media marketing sphere we take our tech everywhere we go. Being without our phones is like being beavers without teeth (yeah weird analogy but just go with it!) One never knows when inspiration will strike, but also when the perfect photo-op will appear. On our must-have tech list, we always include the following:
iPhone (for the obvious: selfies, boomerangs, reels, stories, oh yes and keeping in touch with our families!)
Laptop (for editing, posting, and keeping on top of all of our client needs etc.)
iPad (mostly for the bigger Pinterest screen and access to Libby - TPL we love you so!)
Hot tip: don’t forget all your chargers and charging cables! Thankfully, Apple has finally switched to the universal standard so there should be less lugging of random cords and outlets.
Photography Gear
Because I (Kat) am going to Houston to cover a two-day wedding for my gal Lara, it is very important for me to pack the right gear for the trip. Photography gear is HEAVY, and it’s also fragile (you DO NOT want to check that bag!) So I have to be very picky and careful with what I bring. For this trip, in particular, I am taking two cameras, 3 lenses, two flashes, and a crap-ton of batteries and memory cards. I was going to fully nerd-out on you here and list exactly what lenses etc. but I figured there wasn’t a need (you. are. welcome.) But seriously, be really careful what and how you pack, especially because you want to keep your gear close to you and not put it in with checked luggage.
It’s very important to have a sturdy and comfy bag that fits the carry-on rules but also allows you to take everything you need. Lowe Pro, has some amazing options, it’s tried, tested, and true amongst most pro-photographers. However, if you want to go fancy, GATTA is an incredible brand that carries beautiful (much smaller) camera bags. Whatever bag, the most important thing is for it to keep your gear safe!
Travel Bags
I am not going to lie, this topic is a sore spot for me. As my ever-patient bestie/ biz partner Emily, will attest - I have been on a never-ending (annoying) hunt to find the perfect carry-on bag for this trip. For most, the choice is obvious: a small rolling suitcase with a tote or backpack, right? Not for this gal! Because I have to take a backpack of photography gear with me as carry-on, it limits what else I can take with me on the plane. I need enough room in my other carry-on for a book, iPad, small toiletry kit, water bottle, wallet and passport and a sweater/ sweatshirt. Tote bags are amazing options (see my fave below) along with crossbody bags, and fanny packs. I have yet to narrow down what bag I will take (stay tuned for part 2 of this series) but until then, here is my short-list of some cute options. Also, if you have any advice for us, let us know in the comments below or get in touch here!
Coffee Break Tote by Kate Spade this tote is super cute and unique. It is big enough to fit a laptop and other essentials but does not have a crossbody strap, which I always look for in a travel tote. (Several versions of this tote are available if you’re not super keen on the maximalst look.)
Poppy & Peonies has some great tote and backpack options designed specifically for travel. Ems considered the Commuter Backpack, which comes in several different colours.
BEIS has great luggage over-all and their weekender collection is stylish and practical. A great choice for any jet-setter.
For smaller crossbodies or fanny packs, Herschel, Thacker, and Lululemon have really great, stylish, and practical options!
outfits
For the final part of today’s post, we will be talking about…drumroll please…outfits! We completely understand that everyone is different and our opinions are just that - our opinions. But here 3 rules we go by when we pack for a trip (keep in mind we are MAXIMALISTS - all the minimalists in the house, this is your cue to just keep scrolling past). Our 4 golden rules for travel outfits are:
Colourful - We love colour, like LOVE LOVE it! Plus a little colour always goes a long way especially when photos are involved! That being said, even if it’s a colourful accessory, we love travelling BRIGHT! It’s a great picker-upper and practically it’s great because we can always spot each other in a crowd.
Cute - This one is self-explanatory. I mean, who doesn’t want to look adorbs when travelling?! Some great ideas for looking cute and fab while travelling, check out our main girl crush Ms. Beltempo’s YouTube Channel. Ms. Beltempo is a sustainable fashion vlogger who has great tips for packing light, comfy, and fab!
Comfy - Comfort is key. Period. For travel, we love yoga pants, a comfy shirt, sneakers, and always a layer. We both get cold in the plane so the extra layer is non-negotiable.
Creative - Just like in our name - “creative” is our mantra for everything and that includes what we wear. That being said, have fun with your travel ‘fits and be as creative as you want. Remember that this is your chance to be creative - no one knows you so be wild!
EXTRAS
Aside from the essentials we listed above, there are a few extras that we always include in our travel journeys. Here is a shortlist of what we never leave home without and why:
Notebook / Journal - In case inspiration strikes, we always carry something to write in. Yes we have our phones, but just in case batteries run low, an old school notebook never fails!
Pens & Markers - For obvious reasons related to the above.
Water bottle - As a photographer, it’s super important to stay hydrated! I do all of my work on my feet and when the weather is hot, hydration is key. Plus, we always feel that they never give out enough water on airplanes - it’s good to have a back-up!
Magazines - One of our greatest loves! Magazines are great because they are low-commitment reads and have inspiring visual content. Since getting the Libby app, I download my mags on my iPad, but OG paper versions are just as special.
Book - Another great love! We can’t travel without a good book. Currently on our reading list are romantasies (Any and All!)
That’s it - these are our essential travel must-haves for a social media strategist and a photographer. We can’t wait for our adventure in Houston. If you want to follow along, check out our stories here, and leave a comment about what you like to bring for your travels!
