How to Pack When You're Also Bringing Your Office and Camera Gear

There's a version of travel packing that's just clothes and a toiletry bag. Then there's my version — which includes a laptop, chargers, a camera, extra batteries, a small tripod, and enough outfits to have options for content without checking a bag. It took me a few trips to figure out a system that doesn't result in me standing in a hotel room surrounded by things I didn't need.

This is that system. It's not minimalist in the traditional sense — I carry real gear — but it's intentional, and it fits in a carry-on every time.

The One Rule That Changed Everything

Everything has to earn its place. Not "might be useful" — actually useful, based on what I know about the trip. Before I started thinking this way, I was packing for every possible scenario. Backup outfits for backup outfits. Every cable I owned. A full skincare routine. It was too much and I never used half of it.

Now I pack for what I actually know will happen. If I know I'm going somewhere warm and coastal, I don't pack a heavy jacket. If I know I'll be doing mostly city exploration, I don't pack hiking gear. Specificity is what keeps a bag light.

The Tech and Gear Section

This is the non-negotiable layer — the stuff I need to do my job and create content. It goes in my backpack, which doubles as my personal item on the plane.

• Laptop + charger
• Camera (I shoot on my phone for most content, but I also bring a mirrorless camera for specific shoots)
• Extra phone battery / portable charger
• Small flexible tripod — fits in a side pocket and handles 90% of my self-filming needs
• Wireless earbuds + a wired backup pair for calls
• Universal power adapter if traveling internationally
• Cable organizer pouch — this alone saves 10 minutes every morning

The Clothes Strategy

This is where most people overpack. My approach: build around a neutral color palette so everything pairs with everything, and choose pieces that work for both on-camera looks and real-life comfort.

For a week-long trip I typically pack:

• 3–4 tops that can be dressed up or down
• 2 bottoms (one casual, one that works for nicer dinners or events)
• 1 dress or jumpsuit — versatile, takes up minimal space, photographs well
• 1 layer (lightweight jacket or blazer depending on the destination)
• 2–3 pairs of shoes maximum — one comfortable walking shoe, one sandal or flat, one that's slightly dressier

The neutral palette rule is what makes this work. When everything is in the same color family — creams, tans, whites, blacks, soft browns — you can mix and match freely without planning every outfit in advance. It also means your content has a visual cohesion without trying.

Packing Specifically for Content

There are a few things I bring that pure travelers wouldn't think about. First, I always pack at least one "hero outfit" — something that photographs exceptionally well for a more intentional shoot. It might be a dress I love or a coordinated set. I know I'm going to want at least one shoot that looks pulled-together, and having that piece designated takes the decision-making out of it in the moment.

Second, I pack a small ring light clip that attaches to my phone. It weighs almost nothing but makes an enormous difference for indoor content, especially in hotel rooms with tricky lighting.

Third — and this matters more than people expect — I think about backgrounds before I pack. Neutral or interesting backgrounds are everywhere when you travel, but knowing what aesthetic you're going for helps you choose outfits that will actually work against those backgrounds.