Camera Bags, but Make It Fashion.
One of the best parts of picking a new hobby is finding pretty accessories...today I’m talking about my favorite camera bags and the things I keep in it that come in clutch (see what I did there?).
First Things First…A Cute Camera Bag When you’re out traveling with your camera, you need something to keep your gear safe and in one place. You might have already bought a bag when you purchased your camera, but my guess is all the options you had to choose from were black/grey and utilitarian...not particularly stylish. If you’ve been carrying your camera bag AND your purse with you, here’s a streamlined solution. I personally love my Kelly Moore Bags; people often mistake my camera bag for a sleek leather purse. The bags are fully padded, and include customizable dividers so you don’t end up with the “bottomless black pit” effect. They have less “feminine” options as well! Just make sure you use the external pouch for loose keys which can scratch your lenses in a heartbeat. Speaking of your lenses...
Lens Care: The key to getting crystal clear images? Correct focus, shutter speed and...a clean lens! Think of it like looking through a dirty windshield, it obscures your view! Keep an extra cloth and cleaning solution in your camera bag so you’re smudge-free and good to go.
Cloth: Any microfiber dusting cloth will do. The little cloths you use to clean your glasses will also work great. Make sure that there isn’t any debris on your lenses before you clean them so that you don’t scratch the surface of your lenses.
Cleaning solution: For any stubborn or oil-based smudges (like from your fingers) you’ll want to also have some cleaning solution on hand. NEVER spray the solution directly onto your lens. Remember that your camera is a technical piece of equipment that doesn’t tend to like water. Just spray a little solution onto your cloth instead.
Baby Got Back(up): The worst feeling in the world is being caught off-guard and needing to stop shooting because you’ve run out of either memory or battery power (I literally had a heart palpitation as I was writing this). If you’re taking along your camera bag you’re probably away from home - hopefully someplace fun! Keeping backups of both of these vital components will keep you shooting without worry.
Cards (and Card Cases): Your DSLR camera will show you how many shots you have left on the card you’re shooting on; VERY few camears don’t - in which case, you’re left to guesstimate and hope you don’t run out too soon. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll think “I’ll only take like 50 photos” and you come home with 500. Also, did you know that when you delete images from your card while it’s in your camera, you risk corrupting your files? If hearing “corruption” scares you a little, it should. It’s no bueno. Basically, the risk isn’t usually worth the reward, and it’s another good reason to bring more memory than you think you’ll need. I love keeping my cards in water-resistant and impact-resistant cases that look like this. Pelican is an awesome brand.
Batteries: Fully charging a camera battery can take a couple hours, which is probably not feasible if you’re out on the go. It’s worth the investment to buy a second battery, and bring your fully charged spare with you. They cost about $50-$75 - and DO NOT buy off-brand batteries…. they die quickly. To conserve battery, I recommend using your optical viewfinder instead of your LCD screen when you’re taking photos. Plus you’ll look more like a pro taking photos through your viewfinder. :)
Snacks If you’re going to be shooting for 10+ hours, you’re going to need snacks. Oh wait...Is that just a Wedding Photographer thing? Well, everyone loves snacks, and at my photography studio Gluten-free Cheese Crackers are WHERE. IT’S. AT.
Gluten-free Cheese Crackers : (literally this exact kind, it’s a whole thing….)
