Flying With a Camera: Essential Travel Tips for Wedding Videographers and Photographers

Destination weddings are on the rise—and that means more and more videographers and photographers are taking to the skies to capture their clients’ most important day. But flying with expensive camera gear comes with its own challenges: baggage limits, airport security, international laws, and the constant risk of damage or loss.

At Cut Pro Media, we work with destination wedding creatives worldwide, many of whom shoot across countries and continents. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential travel tips for wedding videographers and photographers flying with gear—so you can focus on capturing the perfect moments without stress.

1. Always Carry On Your Core Equipment

The number one rule: never check your primary gear.

Your carry-on should include:

• Camera bodies and primary lenses
• Essential audio equipment
• Batteries (within airline limits)
• Memory cards and hard drives
• Laptop or SSD for backups
• One lightweight tripod or monopod (if it fits)

Why? Checked bags can be delayed, damaged, or even lost. If your carry-on includes everything you need to shoot the wedding, you can still work—even if your checked gear doesn’t arrive.

2. Choose the Right Travel Bags

Invest in airline-approved camera backpacks or rolling cases with customizable padded compartments. Look for:

• Waterproof or weather-resistant exteriors
• TSA-compliant locks
• Anti-theft zippers and secure straps
• Strong padding to protect delicate lenses

Popular options include:

• Lowepro ProTactic Series
• Think Tank Airport Roller
• Pelican Air Carry-On Cases

If you’re carrying drones or gimbals, pack them in separate hard cases and check airline rules on lithium batteries.

3. Know Airline Rules About Batteries

Most airlines follow IATA (International Air Transport Association) guidelines, which generally state:

• Spare lithium-ion batteries (like those for DSLRs, drones, or lights) must be in carry-on, not checked bags
• Limit of 100Wh per battery (some airlines allow up to 160Wh with approval)
• Terminals should be taped or stored in individual plastic bags

Check with your airline ahead of time, especially for international travel, as rules vary slightly between carriers.

4. Pack Smart and Light

Only take what you absolutely need. Consider:

• Two camera bodies
• Three lenses (wide, mid-range, telephoto or prime)
• Lightweight stabilizer or gimbal
• Compact LED lights or reflectors
• Audio recorder and wireless mic set

Tip: Use multi-purpose gear. A 24–70mm lens can cover prep, ceremony, and reception without switching glass constantly.

Also, avoid overpacking cables—just bring backups for your core items.

5. Back Up While You Travel

Travel introduces more opportunities for data loss. Protect your footage by backing up:

• To an external SSD or hard drive after each day
• On cloud storage if Wi-Fi is reliable
• On dual memory cards (if your camera supports it)

Make backups before flying home and carry those backups separately from your camera gear.