Traveling photography can be a thrilling hobby, as capturing stunning images across the United States will introduce variety to your growing catalog of pictures. However, committing to frequent driving with expensive equipment is a costly endeavor that can cause severe financial losses if your gear gets damaged.
To capture the best shots, photographers often drive in unfamiliar places and roads without knowing the quality or safety of visited places. Sadly, the best shots often come to us in unfamiliar places, which requires careful preparation: safe storage of equipment, changing weather patterns, and driving for prolonged periods.
After spending prolonged periods on the road in the US on the road myself, I underestimated the dangers of not having the proper tools and spare parts to service my car. Also, sleeping in safe conditions is not always possible, and leaving a vehicle full of expensive gadgets is never a good idea. To make sure that photographers do not travel unprepared, I’ve prepared this quick guide of safety recommendations that will help you avoid the biggest risks on the road. Let’s take a closer look.
In This Article
Car Accident Risks for Traveling Photographers
Driving in unfamiliar places is never a pleasant experience. Just looking for the best spots for your shoots creates dangerous circumstances – driving is no longer your main focus. Being inattentive on the road greatly increases the risk of car accidents. Although GPS will help you get around, the unfamiliar environment requires far more attentive driving.
The dangers only continue to pile up when fatigue from driving long hours starts to kick in. Whether you are driving to a specific site, or just looking for unique places for your pictures, many photographers like to take pictures during the golden hour. If the search for a spot is harder than anticipated, being tired will only hinder your ability to stay on the road.
Also, it should go without saying that taking pictures while driving is a risky idea unless you have a driver accompanying you across the journey. No matter how good the shots may turn out, taking quick shots from your window is still too big of a distraction and not worth the risk.
Meanwhile, being a victim of reckless driving from other participants on the road will not cause you liability, but still can end up in costly damages to the car and your equipment. If you end up encountering legal issues and accidents on the road, a lack of knowledge of specific laws may strip you of potential compensation. Thankfully, the internet serves as a great tool for finding appropriate help with just a few clicks. Tools like ConsumerShield create a bridge between uninformed citizens and experienced legal help. By providing the details of the accident, the platform will find a suitable attorney to resolve your issues and receive compensation for your damaged equipment.
Protecting Your Gear When Traveling by Car
Sleeping in hotels or leaving your car unattended is a big risk since photography equipment is a hefty investment, and losing your gear will not only cut the travel short but also cause you big property damage.
For photography or any travels with expensive equipment, make sure to use inconspicuous bags that conceal everything when storing camera gear in a vehicle. Make sure nothing expensive is openly visible when looking through the car’s window. It serves as a crucial deterrent against theft, as obvious camera bags can attract unwanted attention in unfamiliar locations.
Packing only the essential gear needed for your specific photography objectives not only lightens your travel load but significantly minimizes potential financial losses if theft or damage occurs during your journey. If possible, I would recommend seeking out hotels that have safe storage, as there is no way of knowing if the area where you parked your car will be safe from theft.
Also, just in case, keep a log of all equipment serial numbers, and report to have a backup plan (albeit not very effective) and more information that could help the authorities recover your gear, should the unthinkable happen during your photography adventures.
Key Takeaways
After talking to photographers with experience on the road across the United States with expensive photography equipment, I’ve learned that their innate sense of wonder often leads to neglect of unique challenges that significantly increase their risk of accidents and equipment loss. The delicate balance of navigating unfamiliar roads while managing valuable gear creates a perfect storm of hazards, especially when rushing to get the best shots in your dream locations. Make sure to stay attentive on the road, or even better – bring a friend who could do the driving for you!
