A Simple way to Protect your Gear while Traveling

We are now heading into that time of year that many people go out traveling for vacation or holiday.  If you are a photographer that means traveling with your “gear”.  We like vacations; we get to go new places and take lots of exciting photographs. 

But you know who else likes vacation time?  Thieves.  There are crowds and crowds of people, just ripe for picking.  Photographers are a great find, because you can easily have $5K hanging around your neck.  All they have to do is distract you, cut that strap and  it’s theirs . . .  you just lost your prize body and favorite lens. 

It happens all the time. 

Why? 

Because you advertise that you have an expensive camera! 

It’s boldly marked on the strap, the body and the lens cap.

It’s perfectly natural to be proud of your camera, and at the same time sort of amusing.     We constantly say “It’s not the camera, it’s the photographer” but there is that pride of ownership, and we want to impress people with the high quality of camera we shoot with. 

You need to get over that. 

You’re going to impress people with your images, . . . . take that approach.    

There are brands that criminals know they can sell easily and get a quick buck for.  And we make it easy for them to spot us from a distance. 

Even when we don’t have our cameras out, we are still advertising.

Gee, I wonder what’s in those bags.    I’ll bet it’s something expensive.

Unless you’re getting paid for it, stop advertising for the camera companies.  Stop wearing a sign that says “Look, I’ve got a bunch of expensive stuff here”

I found a solution, and No, I didn’t come up with this on my own.  Many photographers have been doing this a long time.

The first part of my  solution isn’t too pricey, it cost me a buck. 

Here it is.

Pretty high-tech, huh?  Black electrical tape.   I put it over all those signs that say what camera I have.  It also works on my camera bags. 

The next thing I did was replace my camera strap with a good nondescript strap  I found on Amazon.  

Finally, I got on Ebay and ordered generic lens caps; they work just as well, but don’t have a name on them.  Those cost me $1.50 each. 

This is what my camera looks like when I go out to shoot.

So, when viewed from a distance, what am I carrying?  Is it a Canon 5D MKIV, or is it a Canon 10D.  Now, I’m not saying this is going to make me a 100% safe, but if a criminal is trying to pick out his next mark, the person he is going to rob,  and his choice is some guy carrying something he is not sure of or you advertising how valuable your camera is,

Which one do you think he is going to pick???

Chances are I win . . . .  and you lose. 

Protect yourself, it’s not expensive and takes very little time.

And remember, impressive them with your work, not your gear.