Charlie Kruschek: How I Prep For A Tripw

Planning a photo trip is one of my favorite parts of being a landscape photographer. There’s something about the excitement of knowing that I’ll be heading into new or familiar scenes, chasing light and capturing scenes that may never look the exact same again. Before I get to that point, though, I need to make sure I’m prepared. This means packing the right gear, making sure my batteries are charged, SD cards are cleared off, my routes are planned ahead of time, and so much more. This is a breakdown of how I prepare for traveling with my gear, from packing and scouting to actually traveling and executing.

Before I even think about packing my gear, I spend a lot of time researching where I want to go. Sometimes I have a clear destination in mind, like the Southwest in the spring, fall in the Upper Peninsula during peak fall foliage, or on a whim, the Badlands during the winter. Other times, I start from scratch, looking for new areas altogether. These are the trips that require some extra planning.

One of my favorite ways to scout locations remotely, when I don’t have the ability to do so in person ahead of time, is through groups on social media, especially Facebook. These groups can be an incredible resource for up-to-date conditions, lesser-known spots, and firsthand experiences from other photographers. I’ll often search for past posts about a specific location, checking for tips on the best views, weather conditions, and potential restrictions that would slow me down or make me reconsider a destination. If I can’t find the info I need, I’ll post a question myself and usually get great insights from locals in the area.

Once I have a general idea of where I want to go, I turn to Google Satellite and Street View. Satellite imagery helps me analyze the terrain, find potential compositions, and see what roads and trails lead to certain viewpoints. I’ll often drop pins on interesting spots and use Street View to get a sense of scale and surroundings. This is especially useful when planning for sunrise and sunset shots. I can see which way the landscapes face and predict how light will hit at different times of the day. Last fall, this worked beautifully while photographing the Maroon Bells in Colorado.

One of my favorite apps for scouting locations, especially for more remote or hiking-accessible spots, is AllTrails. This is an excellent resource for finding trails that lead to scenic overlooks, waterfalls, or other hidden gems that might not be as easy to locate through Google Maps alone. The reviews and photos from other hikers give me a sense of trail conditions, seasonal changes, and whether a particular viewpoint is worth the effort. If I’m planning a sunrise or sunset shoot, I look at the trail duration and estimate how early I need to start hiking to be in position at the right time, as well as if I need to worry about parking (in National Parks this becomes crucial). Combining AllTrails with Google Satellite helps me map out potential compositions before I even step foot on the trail, making last minute changes a possibility if I ever need to.

After finalizing my destinations, it’s time to get my gear in order. Instead of throwing everything into my bag at the last minute, I lay everything out first. Seeing everything in front of me makes it easier to check if I have all the essentials and also prevents overpacking. Once things are laid out, I go through a physical checklist crossing off each item as I pack. This helps me avoid the dreaded “I forgot my circular polarizer” moment when I’m hours from the nearest camera store. My checklist includes necessities, such as spare Sony Z100 batteries with USB-C Charging, my Rugged SD cards and Rugged card case, HGX Prime filters (CPL and VND), as well as my tripods. My go-to choices are Epoch and Key Grip. By the time I’ve checked everything off, I know I’m ready to go. This routine has saved me more times than I can count, and I can assure you it will save you, too.

Before I pack everything away, I need to make sure things are prepped. This includes charging batteries, cleaning filters and formatting SD cards. With batteries, I start charging them two days before I leave. This gives me plenty of time to cycle through them before packing them away and making sure each one is fully topped off. I also would recommend investing in a mobile power bank. It might seem obvious, but it’s one of those items that can easily slip through the cracks. The exceptional benefit with power banks is if you use the USB-C batteries, you can charge them with a cable on the go. This has been a life saver, especially when storm chasing.

When it comes to SD cards, I prefer using multiple smaller-capacity cards (max 64gb and 128gb) rather than one massive card. This way, if something goes wrong with one, I don’t lose an entire trip’s worth of shots. To keep them organized, I use my SD card case, which protects them from the elements, any accidental damage, and my cards flying around in my backpack. The best part about using ProMaster’s Rugged SD cards is that they give me extra peace of mind knowing they’re built to withstand the toughest conditions and they’re backed by a lifetime warranty, if anything somehow does go wrong. Five years of using their cards and, to this day, I have not encountered a single issue.

While I prefer driving when on photo trips, sometimes I find flying to be more convenient. This requires a significant amount of attention to organization. I always carry my camera gear as a personal item - NEVER as checked luggage. There are too many stories of lost or damaged equipment, and I’m not about to risk that.

To keep things tidy and easy to access as well, I use a carrying case for all of the essential accessories I mentioned. This includes my SD cards, filters, batteries, and cables. The hope is to prevent small items from getting lost in my backpack and make life easier to find what I need quickly. TSA often wants to inspect this portion of my equipment, so having them stored in an organized manner also speeds up the security process for everyone, and prevents an agent from mishandling gear as well.

Preparing for a photo trip is more than just throwing a camera in a bag and heading out. A little extra planning goes a long way in making sure everything runs smoothly (and safely). By preemptively selecting locations, laying out gear beforehand, charging batteries in advance, and staying organized even during the trip, I set myself up for success before I even arrive. Whether it’s a multi-day adventure into the wild or a quick weekend marathon chasing storms, this routine keeps me focused on what matters - capturing the best possible scenes with the best possible gear.