Gear to Make Life Easier On Those On Location Shoots

It’s time to pack up the studio because we’re getting ready for a photo shoot on location. Do you have all the gear you need to pack up your photography kit and go?

On location shoot days can be really fun and exciting days of work if everything goes swell. In order to be prepared for any shooting location, you’ll need a certain set of gear as part of your kit. Set yourself up for success for shooting in these unfamiliar environments and impress your clients with your level of care and preparedness.

This blog post is all about the best photography gear to help make life easier on those on location shoot days.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a percentage of the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting me so I can continue to create more content like this!

fresh gear

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fresh gear 〰️

Olympia Tools Folding Cart

This foldable wheeled cart has come in handy so many times!

The top level has a large enough surface area to use it as a laptop stand. It’s also great for spreading out styling gear and props when you’re working to help stay organized but not take up too much space on set. This folding card also as wheels, which make it easy to wheel around with you.

It has three tiers so you can actually store or hold a solid amount of goodies that you may need close by. I even use mine to store my rolled up vinyl backdrops from Club Backdrops when I’m not actively using them.

Since this cart folds up nice and flat, I can easily store it in the trunk of my sedan.

Load-bearing Wagon

Yay more wheels! You never know how far away you’ll have to park from the actual location. Instead of making several trips back and forth to the car, simplify things by using a wheeled wagon to transport your gear.

This wagon is a powerhouse. Unlike other similar collapsible wagons, this one has extra storage up top and a whopping load-bearing capacity up to 300 pounds. Don’t be shy to throw in your sandbags and other heavy-weighted items into this wagon as you load it up. Also the wheels on this thing are pretty durable and overall the wagon is easy to steer.

When you’re done with the wagon, just pull the release. Just like the previous cart, this wagon also collapses down so it can easily fit into the trunk of my sedan.

(Foldable) Table

Sometimes when working on location the client or production provides a workable surface or table for you. In case they don’t, always be prepared and have a foldable table as part of your kit. You can use it as a shooting surface, as a workable surface to hold your laptop, or even just another surface to prepare product or props before they get styled in the scene.

Side note- The table doesn’t need to be foldable. Since I drive a sedan, I appreciate anything and everything that folds or breaks down small enough to fit into my car.

Extra Batteries (for everything)

An easy way to stay prepared is to always have backup batteries with you.

Play it safe and invest in a second or third battery for your camera. Always have a battery charging so it’s ready for whenever you need it next.

Does your camera trigger run on batteries? Mine does; double AA batteries. I like to always have these handy. You can even purchase rechargeable AA’s now.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a light battery die on me. Which taught me the lesson to have a backup battery for my strobes as well.

Foldable Reflectors

We love everything that folds here!

Instead of trying to lug around giant white cards that likely don’t fit into your car very easily, get a foldable reflector or two.

These foldable reflectors are great for on location shoot days. They fold down and store in easy to carry zippered bags. When you’re ready to use them, just unzip the bag and it will pop into place. Just be careful of your surroundings when you open these because they really do pop open.

These come with removable sleeves to add extra reflecting powers, like the gold and silver sleeves. It also has a black sleeve to slide on in case you need a black card or something to flag or minimize the light in your frame. Plus these reflectors come in a wide variety of sizes so you can pick which size will best suit your needs.

Extension Cords / Stingers

This may be common-sense, but I think it’s important so I’m mentioning it here.

You never know what your power situation will be when you’re shooting on location. The nearest power outlet that works could be several rooms away from you. Or maybe you’re shooting outside and your power source is inside!

Play it safe and invest in a few extension cords so you know you’ll always be able to reach your power source.

Surge Protected Power Strip

While you’re at it, make sure you have a surge protected power strip.

Power strips are great for setting up your main work station. Use it to plug in your computer, power a light or two, and don’t forget to have your spare batteries charging in the meantime!

Large Duffle Bag

Get yourself a large bag. Preferably one that you don’t care too much about because it’s likely going to get banged up, tossed around, and probably stepped on.

Canvas bags like these are great for storing literally anything you may need to bring to set with you. Throw in those extension cords and strips we just talked about. Don’t forget your clamps, modifiers, tapes, props, and other tools you might need.

Instead of trying to make a million trips from your car to the location or just trying to carry too many small things at once, just use a large bag. And toss it in your awesome wagon!

Golf Travel Bag - for your light stands

No, we’re not planning on going golfing.

Grab this golf travel bag with wheels and use it to transport your light stands, background stands, and other long items you might have. It also has several other pockets and areas to store other gear and equipment pieces.

Light stands can be cumbersome, especially when transporting several of them at once. This travel bag with wheels will prevent you from having to carry their entire weight by yourself.

Want to go the extra mile and impress your clients with your care and preparedness?

Then don’t forget your…

Painters Tape and Tennis Balls

… gotta protect that English Oak

So this surely depends on the location. Sometimes the location can be a combination of very nice and/or very old and therefore needs extra special care while you’re working there.

If you’re concerned with your light stands leaving marks on the floor, grab a pack of tennis balls. Just carefully slice a hole in each ball and slide them onto the feet of your stands.

If you need to make any marks on the floors for camera, lights or talent, make sure to use easily removable painters tape or something similar.

*** Also just to be safe and courteous, always ask before using tape on people’s floors. For example, I just went to a house recently for a shoot and the owner requested no tape to be used on the floors. He said the tape could effect the finish on his cement floors, something I didn’t know could happen… Just something else to have in mind while you’re working. 😊

Let’s wrap this up!

That’s all the gear recommendations I have for this post. I hope these gear suggestions will make your days shooting on location go smoothly.

If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please leave me a comment below.

- Clare