5 Essential Non-Photography Items You'll Definitely Need When Shooting

Taking photos in the great outdoors is an excellent way to get unique, striking shots. Venturing out of urban landscapes, however, means you leave behind the option of running to your apartment or a convenience store to grab something you need. As such, you'll want to be well-equipped. While you'll definitely want to bring accessories like ND filters, you should take other critical items on your outing to ensure you're ready for any situation. Here are five essential non-photography items you'll need when shooting outdoors.
 

Weather buffers

Exiting your cozy indoor studio means you must contend with overcast weather. If your forecast app tells you it might rain, you need to prepare accordingly. Bring a rain cover from brands like Think Tank, LensCoat, or Manfrotto to keep liquid from seeping into your camera body—and wear a raincoat while you're at it to save yourself from soaking. A microfiber cloth will also be handy for wiping condensation from your lens. If your area is more snow-prone, layer your clothes properly to give yourself the time you need to capture great photos without going home early. Adjustable gloves are an especially good investment for keeping your hands warm enough to actually operate your camera. For removing snowflakes from your equipment, bring a rocket blower to clean them off before they freeze and do damage.
 

Sun protection

When it comes to outdoor photography, the sun can be both a friend and a foe. Sure, it gives you natural lighting to frame your shots—but overexposure to UV rays can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days. To shield your precious vision, bring sunglasses with you. Fortunately, you can buy pairs with polarized lenses from durable brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban—not only to protect your eyesight, but also to see through glare and capture photos with better attention to color. Meanwhile, protect your skin from sunburn and similar conditions using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Finally, though your camera is hardier than your body in terms of staying prime in sunlight, it can still overheat on hot days. Insulated bags like the Caden Camera Backpack can prevent that, as it comes with especially thick padding to protect your equipment from the elements.
 

First aid kit

Accidents can still happen while shooting outdoors, no matter how careful you are. Keep a first aid kit in your bag to prepare for that. Yours should have compress dressings, adhesive bandages, cloth tape, aspirin, and any medications you take. Regularly check your kit to keep its contents updated. During emergencies, you'll be thankful you have it well-stocked.
 

Power bank

When you're out in nature capturing shots of a rare bird or a remarkably breathtaking waterfall, the last thing you want is for your batteries to die on you. That's why it's helpful to keep a power bank. Purchase one with a good battery capacity—10,000 mAh is a good baseline. That way, your camera will never run out of battery when you're shooting outdoors.
 

Multi-tool

A multi-tool like Victorinox's iconic Swiss knife is an excellent alternative to lugging around a toolkit in outdoor photography shoots. If you need to adjust the screws of your tripod, its screwdriver head can help you out in a pinch. If your camera's zipper pull gets stuck, you can use its needle-nose pliers to fix the pull tab. And if you want to sip on a cold drink to reward yourself after a day of taking beautiful pictures, you'll have a bottle opener ready. Keep a multi-tool on hand during outdoor shooting to help you through various situations.

Shooting in nature is a superb way to take magnificent photographs. Keep these five essentials in your bag to be prepared for anything out there.