How to protect your camera gear from theft while travelling

Summer is finally here, and many of us will be going on holidays to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. Whether you’re staying in the UK or jetting off to exotic lands overseas, a holiday is the perfect time to test out a new camera purchase and get creative with photogenic postcard-perfect landmarks, or just capture more casual tourist snaps and shots of your family having fun in the sun. 

Camera theft is common on holiday, particularly in larger cities, and misplaced or lost items will really put a damper on the holiday vibes. So, as a seasoned travel pro myself who gave up the day job back in 2016 to become a professional travel photographer, here are my top tips to help you avoid theft and have a great holiday. 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, I’ll kick off with a quick bonus tip: never put your camera kit in the hold of an aircraft. These luggage items tend to get thrown around a lot and also reach very low temperatures during flight, which can cause damaging condensation. Instead, be sure to use one of the best camera bags with the right dimensions for the carry-on requirements of your specific airline. Placing items like a travel tripod in your suitcase, however, is fine. 

With that out of the way, let’s get to it! 

Do your research 

Be sure to research your destination first. Check with the government’s travel advice for your destination here and have your wits about you when walking around new places with your camera out. 

Some of the best travel shots won’t necessarily be taken in the safest parts of town – and going to riskier areas is a decision only you’ll be able to make for yourself. However, it’s best to travel with a friend or guide to add security when needed. 

In dodgy situations, it’s better to stash your camera away in a bag so it’s out of sight from nefarious individuals. I like using one of the best sling bags as it means I can access my camera quickly when a shot appears, but also stash it away quickly if I feel unsafe. Camera backpacks are also a good choice as most have rear access – so it’s impossible for pickpockets to gain access to the inside of your bag whilst you’re wearing it. 

If you think your camera may catch too much attention, you could always use a smartphone, which would help you keep a lower profile. Just be aware of potential thieves on scooters or mopeds trying to snatch these, too. 

Use AirTags 

Geotagging devices such as Apple’s AirTags are a great way to track your kit and your camera bag should it be stolen or misplaced. Would-be thieves may be wise to these, so I recommend using multiple in case they search your kit bag looking for them. Apple AirTags can produce an audible chime when you’re searching for them and this will alert any thieves directly to them – there are guides online which show you how to disable the speaker, though I cannot recommend doing such modifications which would void your warranty.

Thieves are likely to be in a rush and in the immediate moments after theft, they will likely only have time for a quick cursory glance inside your kit bag to try and locate trackers. To be stealthy, I would suggest finding a hidden pocket, or even sewing an AirTag into the lining of your kit bag to make it harder to detect. 

In the case that the criminals simply take the camera kit and ditch the bag altogether, I recommend using a camera cage or bracket with a secret compartment for an AirTag. The SmallRig Arca-Swiss Mount Plate AirTag for Canon MD5424 (available for other camera brands), looks like normal camera paraphernalia but has a space to stash your AirTag. It also requires a hex key to access it, so can’t be removed easily. This accessory doesn’t stand out as a tracker; to an untrained eye it just looks like a standard tripod plate. 

The batteries inside of AirTags only last for so long – usually about one year – so be sure to track these regularly via the app and replace any low batteries routinely to make sure they still operate when needed. 

Disguise your expensive camera 

One method I’m a big fan of is to make your camera look less expensive – it’s easy to do and costs very little. This is particularly worth doing if you use a very high-end camera, such as a Leica with its very recognisable red dot logo. The method is to use some black tape – I favour black fabric tape – and carefully cut this to size so it fits neatly over your camera’s logo. I also like to cover up the camera’s model number too when possible, as this prevents would-be thieves from easily looking your camera model up online to check if it’s high value. This also makes it look like the camera is broken and held together by tape, meaning that would-be thieves may be deterred by its apparent lack of value. 

In a similar vein, I prefer to carry my camera with a hand strap next to my waist rather than dangle it around my neck, to avoid looking like a tourist. Holding my camera by my waist gives the impression that it’s not worth much, though I do use a Peak Design Cuff wrist strap to stop anyone on a bike or e-scooter from snatching it as they go past. Shooting from my waist suits my hip-shot style of street photography too, so it’s a win-win! 

Plan for the worst

Losing camera kit is of course the last thing any photographer wants to go through. However, there are a few precautions you can take to mitigate your losses, should the worst eventualities happen. 

Firstly, I’d recommend insuring your camera kit to make sure you’re covered should your equipment be stolen, though you can also add on cover for things such as accidental damage. 

The other precaution I would take is to regularly swap out your memory cards and back them up often. While a stolen or lost camera is a heart-sinking moment, at the end of the day, they can be replaced with a new piece of kit. However, those priceless memories or potentially competition-winning shots you’ve bagged on your travels would be lost forever – so make sure you back them up to hard drives and the cloud whilst you’re on your travels. 

About the Author

Matty Graham is a photographer, writer and presenter who creates editorial features that inform and inspire photographers across a wide range of creative disciplines. Through articles, videos and events, he shares practical advice, product insights and real-world techniques to help photographers get more from their kit. Take look at his website and follow his Instagram.