You’ve got everything in order. The tickets have been purchased, the trip has been planned out, and you’re itching to go on your next adventure. No matter if you are going over state lines or flying around the world, one thing is certain – you will have luggage limits. This means that you aren’t going to be able to stuff all of your friends and family into your suitcase and have them enjoy the trip with you.

Travel photography is the most popular way to share your experiences with the people you love back home. With the wave of digital cameras on the market, this means you can store an unbelievable amount of information on a small memory card. It’s a good idea to be prepared before you board the plane to ensure you bring the best parts home with you.

Get Ready

Camera selection is personal. Maybe you already have one you are partial to, but if you are purchasing new, keep a few things in mind.

• How large of a camera are you willing to carry around?
• How advanced of a camera are you looking for?
  

  The Cannon G10

I personally don’t leave home without my large digital SLR. Many people would find this to be an inconvenience, but I’ve traveled very successfully without having to downsize to a point and shoot. If you are looking for similar functionality of a DSLR without the size, you can always turn to cameras such as the Canon G10, that are very compact, yet still provide you with many of the same controls as larger models – shutter speed, aperture, and ability to shoot in RAW. Even if you are not an expert photographer, you can benefit from having these features.

It’s always a good idea to become comfortable with the camera you own. Read the manual, check online for tips and other photographers’ examples, or get some books from your local library. Experimenting is the quickest way to learn.

If you’re traveling outside of the US, there are loads of other precautions you should take. Make sure you check with your airline’s carry on restrictions. The most important thing you can do when traveling abroad is to research the country in which you are visiting. Do they have any specific laws or cultural views you should know about? To you, something may simply be a snapshot, but to others it may be viewed as disrespectful. Learning your boundaries beforehand is the best way to prevent any misunderstandings.

Check with your insurance company and have your camera covered, along with any other expensive equipment you take along. It’s also a good idea to get a Certificate of Registration from the US Customs office, that way you have proof the camera is indeed yours and aren’t charged when you enter back into the United States.

Personally, I use a small, pocket-sized lined notebook to take notes on all of the information I find. In this same notebook you can record all of the places you want to see, keep a journal, and jot down information about the photos you are taking along the way.

Check back tomorrow for tips on techniques and subjects.

Jessie Barber is a passionate photographer from Columbus, Ohio, who was also a finalist for the STA Travel 2009 World Traveler Internship. Make sure to follow her on Twitter, check out her photography portfolio, her Flickr and her blog.