Recognize that whole “Photog Friday” name? I unabashedly lifted that from my sweet friend Rebekah Hoyt, who’s no longer blogging for photographers. Don’t worry! I got her blessing :).

You guys know I love any excuse to explore somewhere new. And over the past few years, after having photographed in Vicenza, Venice, Rome, Marseille, Paris (three times, pinch me!), London, Stamford, Surrey, Doolin, Galway and Edinburgh, there are few items I won’t travel without. They’re part of what make travel so enjoyable to me, and I’m excited to share a bit more about them with y’all today!

First up: my ThinkTank backpack. This thing, oh my gosh. I won’t travel anywhere without it! I found it last year at the WPPI tradeshow, and though it was more than I’d been planning on spending, I now realize it was worth EVERY penny. This backpack is sturdy, it protects my gear, it’s pretty comfortable to wear (which is important, when you’re wandering all of God’s creation), and it’s inconspicuous. That last bit was the most important to me. As a frequent solo traveler, I do everything I can to avoid sticking out. I don’t want to draw attention to myself as a foreigner, because in places like Rome and Paris, being a foreigner often means your targeted by pickpockets or gypsies. This backpack doesn’t scream “EXPENSIVE PHOTO EQUIPMENT INSIDE,” which is a big factor in, y’know, NOT getting mugged.

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Second: my Kelly Moore bag! It has the benefit of looking like an ordinary purse, so when I do tote my camera around town, again, I’m not advertising that I’m a good candidate for being mugged. It’s not nearly as comfortable as my ThinkTank backpack, but if all I’m carrying is extra film and a light meter, it’s not bad! I pretty much always carry my bag with the long shoulder strap so that it’s cross-body- it saves my shoulders from aching!

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Third: a makeup bag, chocked full of film. The different compartments make it easier to organize according to film speed! My favorite film stocks for travel are Fuji 400H and Portra 800. I picked up this particular makeup bag at Target!

Fourth: a little photo album! This one’s new with my most recent Europe trip. The idea came to me after realizing that when people would ask to see my work, I couldn’t pull up anything online unless I was connected to wifi as I don’t have international data. So I just bring along thing little album of 4×6 prints- how darling is this Kate Spade album?? It holds 80 prints and I had so much fun picking out my favorites!

There you have it! My favorite items to travel with as a photographer. I’m always looking for new travel hacks, though, so if you have a secret travel accessory, I want to hear about it!

Also… registration for the August 3rd and November 9th dates of A Practical Wedding Workshop is LIVE! The past dates for APWW’s have all sold out, and there’s a $100 early bird discount with the code PROSECCO- so what are you waiting for? Jump on it! To learn more about the workshop, go HERE, and to register, go HERE!