Pack for a photography retreat in three layers: the camera kit you already know, the small items that keep it running (batteries, cards, chargers), and clothing that keeps you comfortable at sunrise and after dark. Leave the gear you have never used at home. A retreat is the place to master what you own.
Camera kit
- Your camera, and a phone with free storage
- One or two lenses you know well (a zoom such as 24 to 70 mm covers most scenes)
- A light travel tripod for sunrise, sunset and blue hour
- Lens cloth and a small blower brush
- A comfortable camera strap
Leave at home: the lens you bought and never used, heavy filters you do not understand yet, and more than one camera body unless you are confident with both.
Power and storage
- At least two spare batteries, charged before you leave
- Your camera charger and phone charger
- Two or three memory cards, so you never need to delete in the field
- A plug adapter for international trips (a Type C adapter works in France, Italy and Portugal; Italy also uses Type L)
- A small power strip if your room has few outlets
For editing sessions
- Laptop with your editing software installed and updated before you leave
- Card reader or the right cable
- A portable drive to back up each evening
Clothing
Golden hour means early mornings and evenings, which are cooler than midday.
- Layers you can add and remove quickly
- A warm layer and a light rain shell
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip, already broken in
- A hat and sunglasses
- Something nice for the group dinners
Comfort and care
- Water bottle and snacks for long shoots
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Any medications, in your carry-on
- A small notebook for settings and ideas
- A tote or soft bag for markets and village walks
Before you leave home
- Charge every battery and format your memory cards in the camera.
- Check your camera’s date and time, and update it on arrival if you change time zones.
- Read your camera’s manual on the settings your instructor asked you to know.
- Pack your camera bag in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
Packing light leaves room for what matters: attention. On every Focused Eye workshop we send a full gear list and a settings guide before you go.
Quick answers
What camera gear should I bring to a photography retreat?
Bring your camera, one or two lenses you know well, at least two spare batteries, extra memory cards, a charger and a lens cloth. A light travel tripod is useful for sunrise, sunset and blue hour.
Should I bring a laptop to a photography workshop?
Bring one if the workshop includes editing sessions. Install your editing software and update it before you leave, and back up your cards to the laptop each night.
How many memory cards should I bring?
Bring at least two or three, so you never have to delete in the field and can keep one card's worth of images separate as a backup.