10 Things I Never Leave Home Without on a Photography Road Trip

People often ask me what camera I use or where I find the places I photograph. The truth is, the camera is only one small part of it. Whether I'm heading down the coast of Maine, exploring a quiet Vermont back road, or wandering through an old New England mill town, there are a few things I always have with me.

Some are obvious. Others I've learned the hard way after forgetting them once!

Here's what you'll almost always find in my vehicle before I hit the road.

1. My Camera (Of Course!)

My camera is the reason for the trip, but it's more than just a piece of equipment. It's my excuse to slow down and really pay attention to what's around me.

Sometimes I spend an hour photographing one harbor. Other days I might stop a dozen times because an old barn, rusty bridge, or patch of wildflowers catches my eye.

2. Extra Batteries

There is nothing worse than finding the perfect scene only to see that flashing low battery warning.

Cold mornings, long hikes, and hours spent shooting all drain batteries faster than you'd expect. I always keep extras charged and ready to go.

3. Plenty of Memory Cards

One memory card is never enough.

I've learned that when you're having a great photography day, you'll fill a card much faster than you think. I always carry several extras so I never have to delete photos in the field.

4. A Notebook

Ideas don't always arrive when I'm sitting at my desk.

Sometimes I'll hear an interesting story from a local shop owner, discover a hidden location someone recommends, or think of a future blog post while watching the sunrise.

A small notebook lets me capture those moments before they're forgotten.

5. Hiking Shoes(don’t like them but I do like Danskos)

Some of my favorite photographs require a little walking.

Whether it's a waterfall, an abandoned railroad, a rocky shoreline, or a quiet forest trail, good shoes make every adventure more enjoyable.

6. Rain Jacket(usually forget this one)

New England weather has a personality all its own.

I've started road trips under blue skies and ended them in fog, drizzle, or pouring rain. Instead of packing up and heading home, I've learned to embrace it.

Some of my favorite images have been taken on rainy days.

7. Water and Snacks

Photography has a funny way of making you lose track of time.

I'll tell myself I'll stop for lunch after "just one more picture," and suddenly it's three hours later.

Having water and a few snacks in the car keeps me going while I chase the next photo.

8. Bug Spray

If you've spent any time in Maine during the summer, you already know why this made the list.

Mosquitoes and black flies have a way of showing up the minute you find the perfect sunset.

A little bug spray makes it much easier to enjoy the experience.

9. My Phone

My phone does more than take backup photos.

It's my GPS, weather checker, tide guide, notebook, map, flashlight, and way to research the history of the places I visit.

It's one of the most useful tools I carry.

10. Curiosity

This one doesn't fit in a camera bag, but it's probably the most important thing I bring.

Some of my favorite discoveries weren't planned.

They happened because I turned down a road I'd never driven before, stopped to talk with someone at a local café, or pulled over because an old building caught my attention.

Photography has taught me that the best moments aren't always marked on a map. Sometimes they're found simply by slowing down, looking around, and being willing to explore.

The Best Thing I Pack

When people think about photography, they usually focus on cameras and lenses. Those things matter, but they aren't what creates memorable photographs.

Patience does.

Curiosity does.

The willingness to take the long way home does.

Every road trip teaches me something new about New England, whether it's discovering a hidden swimming hole, stumbling across an old covered bridge, or meeting someone with a story worth sharing.

That's why I keep packing the car.

Because I never know what I'll find around the next corner, and that's my favorite part of the journey.