Traveling as a Film Photographer (In Gifs)

Pictured: One of my large format cameras I will break down and pack as a carry-on. Film photographers' gear is often bulky and takes careful planning to travel.

Traveling, in general, can be a lot of fun if you can pack light and the trip is for leisure, but traveling for work as a creative professional, especially with film photography, can be a bit of an adventure just getting through TSA without a hitch, let alone figuring out the logistics of your big bulky cameras as carryons for the flights. 😂

Since I'm currently on a work trip over the next ten days with a mix of flying and driving, travel shenanigans are fresh on my mind. I wanted to share the comical chain of events in gifs that film photographers and other creatives have to navigate as they create around the country with working with clients and on creative projects. We don't get paid off of effort and results matter, so you must show up and deliver at a high level regardless of the process. Unforeseen things happen behind the scenes in any industry, and those who can adapt ultimately succeed with their projects. Below are just a few lighthearted takes on the process.

For those unaware, film can't go through TSA scanners/x-rays because it will ruin it. So you aren't able to check your rolls of film or let them go through regular security. You have to request a hand check at the security checkpoints. Sometimes you'll get excellent workers who understand; other times, the process will take some explaining why they can't open anything. That's why Kodak made free downloadable X-ray templates that you can tape to all your film boxes and rolls to try and assist with this whole ordeal you must go through.

Just following the signs with xl camera backpacks 😉

There is always that one.

Seems about right...

After the holdup with the hand check of your film.

Have to get things done by any means. 😂

Pushing the upper limit on what a carry-on means for the survival of our vintage cameras.

Hotel front desk: Do you need help? Me: Nah, I'm good.

Driving to the rental houses for grip equipment and other misc pickups.

Assessing the light in a new location venue the morning of the shoot. I've done this with the arms at my side while thinking on location. I deserved the jokes that came with using this thinking posture.

After a successful photo shoot, drive an hour out of the way to the film lab dropbox because you're not willing to risk the client's exposed film through TSA. You can also drop it off at UPS/Fedex if it's during the week.

The feeling of success when you execute and accomplish what you set out to do, and you're ready to start the process over and over again.

❤️‍🔥🌊🌙