Travel and Photography, what got me started and how I pack

Seeing as I plan to write more posts in the future about both Travel and Photography, it may be relevant first to get a background on how I became obsessed with both which seemed to compliment each other perfectly. Around 2009 I changed career paths from Engineering to Sales. The new role required managing accounts all around the world. Being young and single at the time with no kids it was the perfect time to take this head on.  In the beginning, I bought this really awesome camera, new abundant amounts of unnecessary luggage and all the accessories (flashlights, extra shoelaces, umbrella, etc) needed to secure any hiccup I may encounter while on the road.  Thankfully I had a great manager to educate me on the planning involved to make sure I was never late for that meeting in India or dinner in a small German town.  At the time I thought how hard can it be. But once you think about all the modes or transportation, foreign languages, diff cultural ways of doing things, potential delays with missing a turn in a rental car, train union strikes, missed connections, lack of sleep, huge customer campuses, etc. you realize quickly there is alot to master.  After the first year I was well on my way to being an independent knowledgeable travel planner. That first 1/4 year from Oct - Dec 2009 I had visited Brussels, Basel Switzerland, Munich Germany, Venice, London, Heidelberg Germany and Zagreb Croatia. Talk about exciting! During these adventures it was "Work First" however I had some time to try and take pictures. The only problem is I had no idea how to use this complex new camera unless it was on 'AUTO' mode.

First ever business trip

Brussels, Belgium

The desire to photograph all these places and anything in general was fueled by my travels however it started in my genes.  My grandfather, although probably not titled photographer, was obsessed with cameras and taking pictures. Supposedly he followed me and everyone else around everywhere taking pictures constantly. He passed when I was super young but a few years back I went into the basement of his house and grabbed some of his old equipment which had been shelved with dust for close to 30 years.  I cleaned up his old camera and use it now as decoration in my office.

Grandfathers Camera

Since 2009 my work trips made me more and more obsessed with seeing other parts of the world where work would probably never take me. When I met my now wife, who was more obsessed with seeing the world than I was, we began choosing yearly trips in Asia.  The first big trip we did together was to Bali, Indonesia and I never wanted to come home. I left thinking it really was heaven on earth. I have heard that the past few years its becoming more and more of a tourist destination which is a shame however there will always be that next up and coming place which will be what Bali was.

I remember packing for our first big trip to Bali and my wife said "your going all carry on right?"  My initial thought was to be like, ummmm no I wasn't planning on it.  And since when does the female tell the male to pack carry on! Since then, its pretty much a rule that we travel carry on always no matter where and for how long.  Since Bali I/we have packed carry on for 8-14 day trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Borneo, Malaysia, Philippines, Morocco and Europe. Piece of cake.

I thought this was impossible with all the camera gear and different outfits, etc. but in reality, when you go places like Asia, you only need a few things. Few t-shirts, shorts, underwear, bathing suit and something warm for the plane. What else?  My issue was the camera gear.  I wanted to bring every lens, tripod, flash, sun covers, accessories, filters, clothes and anything I thought I would need to take the perfect picture.  As you can imagine, no easy task. I needed to make concessions, be realistic, sell equipment, buy other more practical travel equipment and over the years try to perfect the ideal camera bag.  I have gone through many types of bags and straps and today have settled for a unique setup that can allow we to scale mountains and long hikes comfortably.  I essentially use a hiking pack with designed camera case inserts to protect my gear.  It can hold a DSLR, 3 lenses, trip, flash, filters, and few accessories AND has built in water bladder which is so key.  And, I get a little extra exercise during our vacations.

Todays Current Gear Setup

Packing for a work trip can be a little more tricky. The fact that I need to focus on what I need for my real job first and foremost, that leaves me little room for camera gear if I am going to continue with the "Carry On Only" rule.  This requires a diff backpack designed for business but with features that can be used for city walking and exploring. Typically I need to really limit what I am taking to the essentials.  And, if I do check a bag for a long trip, I need to make sure my gear is with me on the plane but that I have a spare suit and works clothes in case my checked bag gets lost by the airlines. Its happened few times before.  As you can see, there is lots of planning and configurations I use when on the road.

Since 2009, I have visited 44 countries and this number seems so insignificant considering there are 196 in the world if you consider Taiwan.  Do I want to visit all, Yes. Will I visit all, I dont know. Probably not knowing whats going on in the world today and the risks we would have to take.  There are so many countries I have been that I would definitely go back anyhow so to me it doesn't really matter.  I just want to make sure when I die I look back and have no regrets.