Keeping You and Your Photography Kit Safe When Travelling

Being a travel photographer can pose some dangers but as I'm sure your aware the rewards far out weigh most dangers.

1. Travel insurance. Don't forget to insure every part of your camera kit from memory cards and camera bags to your camera and lens's. Good insurance for your kit is really very important.
2. Keep up to date. Know what's going on in the country and keep up to date with what's happened, what's happening and upcoming events. Almost all places you will travel to will have some access to the internet, even if you have to wait an hour for a page to load! Keep up to date with the current situation and potential warnings, regularly check the Foreign and Commonwealth website for travel advise.
3. Keep your camera with you. When your on the road keep your kit in your hand luggage. Don't let your bag out of your sight. If your kit is with your at all times there it's not going to get lost or fall off the back of a bus.
4. Blend in. When your travelling and out taking photos try and blend in as much as you can with locals. Learn what sort of clothes you can wear that will help you do this.
5. Lock your stuff away. Be careful about using a hotel safe, there have been reports of credit cards taking themselves on a shopping spree, just imagine what sort of damage your expensive camera kit will do! A good idea is to get a Pack safe and a few combination pad locks. Use your suitcase or backpack as a safe, lock your kit in the bag and then using your Pack safe or a simple piece of metal chain secure your bag to the bed or something heavy and sturdy in your room.
6. Get more pad locks. Combination padlocks are great as you don't have a key to loose! You can never have enough padlocks. Some rooms you may stay in will have a pad lockloop on the door and its great if you can use your own combination padlock, this will keep your kit in your room extra safe and save any confusion about hotel staff entering your room.
7. Photographers notebook. Your Photographers Notebook is not only very important for your creative ideas, dates times and places of photographs, but your note book is great for emergency numbers. Numbers of family and friends emergency service numbers and also your embassy contact number. Here is a list of British embassy phone numbers.

9. Don't be flashy. Its good to use a camera bag that is inconspicuous and doesn't look like a camera bag. When your not using your camera put it away.

10. Be respectful, the people of the country your visiting will be much more inclined to treat you well and be helpful to you if you treat them with respect. Dress so you don't stick out, smile and take the time to talk to people. Ask people before you take their photo and understand rules and customs of different countries.

11. Give it up. If your in a situation where your in danger don't think twice about giving up your kit. Hand it over and don't be a hero. I have herd many cases of peoples passports, credit cards and documents being handed back to their embassy after a theft. Remember your kit will be fully insured so its not worth putting yourself in danger.

12. Don't be paranoid! Travel photography is an amazing opportunity and I'm the first to recommend it. Be aware, be smart, be insured and most of all have fun!