Photography safety tips for carrying expensive camera gear in the city. From camera bags and parking to solo travel and situational awareness, these are the habits I actually use to stay safe with my gear. Dave's Mailing List for Photowalks: https://dave.online Visit me at https://goldrose.studio Instagram: https://instagram.com/wildwithjenn Very Good Camera Strap: https://shopverygood.com/gear Very Good presets and use the code *JENN* for 15% off: [https://shopverygood.com](https://shopverygood.com/) For more girl chat and hangs, join the Very Good Discord - Girl Chat: https://discord.gg/AS46wnxxmu 0:00 - The Need for Safety and Security 2:56 - Buddy System 3:24 - Photowalks 4:42 - Location Planning and Preparation 5:24 - Share Your Location 5:35 - Voicemail Hack 6:20 - FOOD 7:19 - Bags and Camera Straps 8:11 - Defensive Spray 8:52 - Share Your Safety Tips *STUDIO* Keyboard: https://amzn.to/49TsWE7 Logitech MX Master 3S: https://amzn.to/4a5hAM1 Must Have Checklists: https://amzn.to/4arjlEK Tiny Notebook: https://amzn.to/4bxGK8t Pretty Plants: https://amzn.to/4tdTPdn Desk Pad: https://amzn.to/3ZKSfCf Boho Backdrop: https://amzn.to/4rkBxWi Boho Hat Hanger: https://amzn.to/4afdIZ5 *PHOTO BOOKS* Vivian Maier: https://amzn.to/3MaN4Zb Vivian Maier: https://amzn.to/4t4XmL4 Lee Miller: https://amzn.to/4kd4IIz *GEAR* SD Cards: https://amzn.to/4r4OcwL DJI Osmo Pocket 3: https://amzn.to/3O0W6bO Insta360 Ace Pro 2: https://www.insta360.com/sal/ace-pro-2?utm_source=AffiliateCenter&utm_medium=copylink&utm_term=JENN360 Sony A7SIII: https://amzn.to/4aeInpq Sony 50 GM: https://amzn.to/4kjLSj6 Studio Mic: https://amzn.to/3NUAmyn Whether you’re carrying a Leica, Hasselblad, Sony, Fujifilm, or any expensive camera gear... feeling safe while walking around with thousands of dollars around your neck is something a lot of photographers think about — especially in a city. In this video, I’m walking around San Francisco sharing the real habits, gear choices, and planning strategies I personally use to stay safer while traveling and doing photography. From low-profile camera bags and secure straps to parking, location planning, photo walks, solo travel tips, and situational awareness, these are practical camera safety tips that have genuinely helped me feel more comfortable bringing my camera places. We also grab coffee, pastries, and accidentally run into a friend from a previous photo walk… because honestly that’s just how these days usually go. *DISCLAIMER*: These are affiliate links, by clicking these links and purchasing either the product or service, they will give me a small commission for sending you their way. So thank you for supporting my channel and enabling me to continue making videos like this one!
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As a large black man, I only feel uncomfortable in rich neighborhoods. People might think I don't belong there and call the police.
This is such a fun video with great info!
I have been confronted by drug dealers when out shooting a burger stand near their trap. I didn't realize they were selling drugs beside the burger stand. They just told me to move.
So I hate wrist straps. If you trip while walking, your hand goes out in front of you automatically. You will break the camera first. Wearing around the neck is better. If you trip, you normally roll on your back, protecting your camera.
Great advice... I should probably do something about my painful lack of self-preservation. One day it's gonna get me. 😬
Fun video as usual Jenn and a good reminder for those of us in your audience who aren't large males. Even with being one of those, your tips are useful (e.g., having a small inconspicuous bag) as one can never be too careful, especially when carrying expensive photography gear around.
My overconfidence as a fairly tall male hasn’t burned me yet, but I think if I was literally half my size and a foot shorter I’d probably feel different ;) See also me tracking down a stolen camera and confronting those guys… probably wouldn’t have done that the same way in SF…
Great video and tips Jenn! One tip I have…don’t be conspicuous with your camera and wave it around or you become a target for a mugging in touristy spots. I speak from experience! 😬
When I lived in San Diego, years back we had a strong meetup group following for photographers. Many female photographers came to these events and that was when I started to understand the pressures females feel when shooting alone. Most of them were so excited to get out with a large group and feel safe as a photographer on the street. As a 6'2" guy, I can say I don't feel worried all the time, but there has been times even someone my size felt uneasy. Especially when you notice someone staring at you, loitering around, or even following you.....you get that vibe you're being cased for a hit.. We are all carrying expensive gear you can be a target. I like your suggestions on being observant and having a buddy. I always say, you can't be totally 100% immersed in shooting photos/video, sadly part of that mental energy and attention has to be diverted to being situationally aware and watching what is around you and always be making evaluations on those observations. Another great reason to pack light and small, helps you blend in the crowd.
i am a 5'4 asian male and unfortunately i have no tattoos to scare people away so you are ahead of me. hopefully one day i can get some ink from jenn.
I’m 6 foot, bald, bearded, and have a muscular build. I look like I should be in prison but I still take all sorts of precautions when shooting alone. I do a lot of night photography in scuzzy areas so I’m aware of the risks. My wife has my location, I give an estimated time of when I’ll be heading back, and I’m always armed/vigilant. I’d give that same advice to any woman in my life if they wanted to do what I’m doing alone.
Good tips Jenn. Personally I do not think it matters if you are male or female you can be just as vulnerable. It often also depends where you are in world or what kind of location you are shooting in as you could argue that city locations may have a higher risk of theft for example. It often about being aware of your surroundings and staying alert. To add to your tips you can also send a text image of your recent location if your phone is running out of power or better still bring along a power bank as a back up. I always think phones are more likely to get stollen than camera gear so always be aware where you take your phone out in public. Last tip if you feel unsafe head for a coffee shop or shop till you feel it is safe to continue and at night always stay in lit up areas and preferably not be there alone.
Over the past ten to twenty years I've noticed more women traveling and more women traveling solo. Which I think is great. But, be aware to be safe. Don't go to sketchy areas of town. If you park in a garage, look around to see if anyone else is there. Don't go hiking in bear country alone. If driving make sure your car is in good shape. Keep valuables out of sight. Always let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back. Pepper spray or bear spray is your friend. I'm an adult male and I avoid sketchy areas at night. Just use common sense.
0:58 don't call me Shirley
Sounds like more photographers need to conceal carry in California.
Jenn, you probably don't need to worry. Any problem you run into and the Desert Meetup Mafia will...well.... "dispose" of your problem. 😉
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There are good ideas, but not always applicable for Europe. You are not allowed to have defensive spray in your pockets or use it, that's illegal here.
Tip #1: Avoid San Francisco.