Efficient packing pays off

As our business and gear inventory grew, it gradually became necessary to come up with a plan on how to lug all this stuff around while looking as professional as possible.

The race between church and reception made it especially important that we were not only able to pack, move and unpack quickly, but also that we stay organized enough to keep up with six cameras, six wireless sets, digital recorder, mic stands, tripods, wide angle lenses, etc., etc.

I've left mic sets, digital recorders and even video cameras behind several times before we finally developed a system.  The main idea is that everything must have a specific place to go.  Each bag holds specific items - items that generally "go together".

When I setup to mic a DJ's output or to mic a singer, I carry my "audio case" and one or two mic stands.  The case is aluminum and holds my digital recorder, two xlr cables, various adapters, two handheld mics and adapters to mount the mics onto mic stands and one tabletop mic stand.

When I'm packing up, I immediately know whether I'm missing anything because every item that goes into that case has a specific place to go. 

We each have our "main" camera bag that holds our camera(s), lenses, mic sets, etc.  Again, if any item is missing, there is an empty spot that alerts us.  We can take a quick look into any bag and know right away if anything is missing.

Every bag, except our crane bag and our charger bag, has wheels, like airport luggage.  In fact, that's exactly what most of our bags are - airport luggage wheeled bags that you can buy at Walmart.  The exception is a special bag I purchased at an outfitters.  It holds three cameras, gear for all of them, has wheels and converts into a rain proof backpack.

It takes me less than fifteen minutes to break down and pack our gear from a ceremony, and only a little longer to break down from a reception where we use a camera crane.

Not only does it save time when you don't have to look for things, but many times you'll have guests right on top of you after a ceremony, while you're hurrying to pack and get to the reception.  If your gear is all spread out instead of neatly in cases, you're much more likely to loose things or at least spend more time trying to keep up with everything.

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Holds 3 tripods and mic stands

Holds 3 cams and gear

Jean's bag holds two cameras, three wireless sets and miscellaneous gear.

Holds 2 cams & gear

My bag holds my Canon H1a and wireless Sennheiser (I travel light!)

Canon H1a

One item not shown, is a garden wagon from Lowes.  It cost fifty bucks and has been worth its weight in gold when we've had to park a considerable distance from the reception venue.  It means the difference between two or three trips and one single trip. Have bungee cords too!

Another trick is to use a small bungee cord to connect the handle of one wheeled bag to another.  That way you can pull two bags with just one hand on one handle.

Now that last bag on the right, (see photo at top of article), I have a lot of fun with.  Often, while packing up after the reception, I'll joke with the DJ about having heavier gear than he has.  With their large speakers and amps, they'll usually disagree and that's when I'll say - "Well that bag there is about my smallest one - try picking it up."

That bag is the one that holds the weights for our camera crane!