what's in my bag : flying

So Jessica of the Midwest Muse asked how I take all my gear along with me awhile ago. I fly often and do not check bags, so indeed, it has been an interesting challenge. But here's how it goes.

one. find 'the' bag.
For traveling, I use one of three bags. I do have a camera backpack, but what use is that when I need to have my iPad & other things in there too. Here are the bags I use.

kate sheridan via asos animal print rucksack

ultralite backpack -- i designed this product

timbuk2 messenger, small

two. neoprene camera case
I strongly suggest investing a few dollars into a neoprene case like this one for your camera. I always carry my camera with the 50mm attached and my Tokina 16-28mm unattached because the thing is giant with the Tokina attached to it.

three. pack it all.
Now, I will say, a camera backpack is more protective. They are also huge pain. I like mine for padding (my husband will hate me for this post, by the way, because he is still appalled by me not putting my camera in my camera backpack.) But...every time I want something he has to take it off and access it from the back. It's an ordeal. And once a kid climbed on our backpack at Disney. Not okay, parents of that kid, my thousand dollar camera isn't a thing for your kid to climb on while I'm eating dinner. For traveling, I need a bag I can put my iPad, wallet, sunnies, snacks, and other things in. Here's my bag unpacked for traveling.

Click through for the Flickr picture with notes

four. the tripod!
Oh yeah! You want to bring a tripod, don't you? About that... it's not going to fit in your backpack/messenger/purse, sorry. So jam it in your carry on! Here's what mine looks like diagonally in it's suitcase. (I swear it does close. Also. Here's what is coming with me to Florida on Friday!)

five. the purse.
Also, on trips like this, I bring a purse large enough to hold my camera and lens. These are my four purses I swear by because not only are they awesome and stylish, they can act as a camera bag.

larch bag by valhalla brooklyn // okinawa bag by valhalla brooklyn

doctor q grovee bag by marc by marc jacobs // hobo faux sure bag from modcloth

I can really highly suggest the two valhalla brooklyn bags. The Marc Jacobs one works, but it's a endless bucket of a purse and isn't as easy to carry as the Valhalla Brooklyn bags. Her bags are all handmade from lovely leathers with a Japanese cotton interior. Both of mine have a wave print I seem to fall for easily. These bags can go though anything. I take mine everywhere.