How to Travel With Camera Gear as a Wedding Filmmaker

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Side note, it’s not a flight policy to allow you to board early. In most cases, they will let you but I wanted to clarify that.

[@RaphealPersaud]

Regardless, this is an absolute nugget. Will remember that next time flying. Thanks!

[@chrisbrockhurst]

THUMBNAIL IS GOLD!!!!!!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Ayeeee let’s gooo! Dude we looked like fools outside the venue doing that haha The lengths we take for these thumbnails lol

[@VANPIEAR]

literally puts his media pass on the screen to show a clear example... your the Goat! Thanks for that tip will definitely create one

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Haha I have to show lol. Definitely do it man. Save some coins at the airport when traveling with film gear

[@diegocaracasfc]

@@JustinPorterMedia What I didn't get is how to get the media pass? I mean, do you make the credential with your company info?

[@bfish510]

I wish I found this video six months ago when I started my production company before I learned all these lessons the hard way! Only thing I’d add is that if a golf case is slightly too short for your needs look into cases for ski equipment.

[@Mantafilm]

Bro! Serious gear. Thanks for the refresher course flying next weekend with c300 mark lll and 1dx mark ll I’m a little apprehensive about a backpack and a 1510 for carry on. You ever had issues with both?

[@ggarciacota]

And where do you carry your underwear? Kidding aside, great video. Thank you for making it and sharing your flow!

[@greenwolfstudios]

Bro! THANK YOU! I just got a promotion at my job doing video production and I needed all this info for my first flight with all my gear. Thank you!

[@noelkemman]

I'm not a wedding videographer so many of the video's are not for me but I wanted to say that your KZbin video's are really nice to go through. I like your attitude so keep doing what you doin boss!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

That means the world. Especially since you’re not a wedding filmmaker. Thank you so much for the support and kind words 🙌🏾🥹

[@johnnozzi-photovideo6543]

This came in clutch dude. Flying with gear for the first time tomorrow AND I hate flying so someone pray for me 😂

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh let’s go!!! Safe travels. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@joaquinfilms]

Such helpful information, preciate it💪🏽

[@flycatchercreations]

I definitely packed all of my light batteries in my checked bag once. It actually got delayed, too. I always arrive the night before a shoot just in case...The bag made it on a later flight and the airport dropped it off literally minutes before I had to head to the shoot. I went to set up and realized I had NO batteries for my lights. Lesson learned.

[@sesomediagroup]

Seeing this in 2024 and reacting to the TSA lock backup comments at ~ 4:50. The other reason you want to have the locks on as backup is because for some reason, many baggage handlers don’t realize (or ignore) that most Pelican cases have a double latch mechanism. The baggage handlers or TSA agents often close the case with ONE latch enabled, not both.

[@lankyflame]

I’m so happy I stumbled on this video! Other videos are all about portable gears and I have a 13 feet tall fat tripod I’m worried about relocating with!

[@Gberg23]

Bro is literally the gear god.. final boss tier 🙏 love the content always astonished by how much your always rocking

[@TheJadyha]

Digital gold right here. Thanks again Justin.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

🥹 anytime. Hope it helped you 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@mikejohnson219]

Yeah man - that media pass is LEGIT, has saved me a GRIP of cash. The battery carry on tip is lit tho, I never thought to mention that I had them as carry on to get pre-boarding privileges. Thanks for sharing! Sick set up G!

[@joaquinfilms]

Thank you for the knowledge. So many things I already learned only 3 minutes in. This is actually a goldmine and such a big help, thank you.🤙🏽

[@charleschatman8352]

Facts!! Because he's not hiding any information basically giving us a sort of blue print too getting started in this business powerful stuff peace.

[@JoshBirman]

Have you ever used a media pass when flying internationally for a wedding?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Not yet but I wouldn’t fly with as much international because of import tax

[@ethanormeo]

Most valuable video on youtube rn 🙏🏽

[@JustinPorterMedia]

🥹🥹 love it. Thanks so much. So glad it helped.

[@edcweddingfilms6795]

Definintely gonna check out the golf case. Bought a large rolling case for camera gear and months later bought tall light stands that ended up being longer than the case even at their lowest level. Also @7:22 has me dying 😂

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh yea the golf case is brilliant. Haha I play too much 😂😂😂💀

[@koolhand12]

Justin, is there a way to securely check expensive items (Lens/Camera) when traveling overseas?

[@createdaley]

You seem like a cool dude! Insightful video as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@benjaminoliverfilms]

One more hack that I actually just found out about recently.... If you are traveling with media, and have a media pass, you can check your bags through the priority lane. This is at least the case with American Airlines.

[@cogmission1]

All I have to say is that you are inspirational, knowledgeable and a great spirit. Just found you (through Brandon) (sub'd). P.S. You getting the Raptor-X?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I truly appreciate you. And oooo I hope I can get a raptor x soon. No real need for it right now lol

[@cogmission1]

@@JustinPorterMedia i’m going to commit the biggest faux pas in the camera world and try and save up for a Raptor-X as a beginner! It’s a little bit different for me because I am up there in years and I have a well-paying job, so I don’t have a lot of time to wait and I really want to do this because I’ve been studying for a few years and I am totally psyched! I want to do weddings with a raptor and a Komodo X as a B Cam. I just don’t see how after messing around with DaVinci, I can mess with ISO baked in? It’s like you can’t unlearn what you’ve just learned! LOL! I ramble … Thank you so much for being you!

[@ActiumFilms]

Where do you keep your clothes and stuff?

[@dishabay]

Hey! It is very interesting to see in detail which lens you use for BMCK 6PRO

[@MSMImage]

Just got a notification for this video and clicked so fast 🔥🔥

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Hahaha love that energy. Truly appreciate it 🙌🏾💪🏾

[@matthewhartman7176]

How many NPF-style batteries can I carry on? I have a mix of various sizes, nothing approaching 100w per battery.

[@GOLDBOXFILMSTUDIOS]

Fantastic Video, are the battery rules and regulations still the same as when this was recorded ............about to travel got 6 under100w v mounts and like 20 npf550s ......

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@GOLDBOXFILMSTUDIOS yes sir. I travel with about 10 v mounts lol

[@GOLDBOXFILMSTUDIOS]

@@JustinPorterMedia thank you sir traveling this week and the rules are a lil fuzzy so im asking lol

[@sannycontent]

It's always interesting to see how people manage their gear on travel. Don't you ever have issues with overweight on the carry on bags? Just looking at for example the pelican case 1535TRVL the weight on the case only is around 5 kg, most airlines do have a limit of 7 kg for carry on.

[@usmanmajid7837]

My exact thoughts, the cases take up most of the weight!

[@wxjunkie]

Nice rundown

[@maxwilson1253]

Unreal info man! What’s the fanny pack called?

[@jeremyarana4259]

Great video, Hoping to see that ultimate wedding camera setup with the black magic, I'm interested to see how you get that focus nailed even while running around the venue.

[@JirehTorres]

Would love to see a rig video as well for the pocket cameras 🙏🏽

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@JirehTorres I made one on the channel. Honestly not too much has changed but when I schedule the next live, I’ll likely bring it up 🙌🏾

[@JustinPorterMedia]

It’s definitely a learning curve to manual focus. Having a good monitor like the portkeys bm5 is super helpful since the focus peaking is insane lol.

[@joaquinfilms]

@@JustinPorterMedia I didn’t even know you could get a monitor that can connect with Bluetooth! Dam your so honest and transparent with gear it’s amazing as I love gear myself and am always wondering what to get next to up my production level🤙🏽 I really do appreciate the knowledge you willingly give out to help people starting out like myself.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@joaquinfilms of course! I try to be as open as I can. I’m so happy it helps and you find it valuable! Truly appreciate your support!

[@nicholassanchezmedia]

Need to get me that Pelican case! Carrying the backpack on the plane getting old.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I can’t do it with the heavy backpacks haha

[@oluwatobitaiwo6277]

got any recommendations for a case that can fit two 54-inch backdrops at once

[@DanielSalyers]

Question for you - is the barcode on your media pass fake or does it actually do something?? Do I need one on mine?

[@lynvision_pt]

Hi man! Great video. I just have one question. When you go to another country, do you charge more from your normal rate or do you charge the same? I got recently a proposal for filming in Africa for a short-film and it's my first time shooting in another country.

[@MrObiorah]

Thank you, SIR!!!

[@devinallen7319]

Amazing information! Thank you.

[@vc6218]

Do you use some sort of roller or hand truck to make things easier?

[@JohnDoukasPhotography]

This is great and clear. Thank you! I have some possible video and photo jobs requiring air travel and this video gives me some good ideas. How do you pack clothes?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I had a regular luggage for my clothes haha. Just didn’t show it because it’s pretty beat up lol

[@ArthurField]

Your End Cards are broken now, a year past, thought I'd pass on that PSA Nicely laid out travel tips and tricks snuck in there with all these wiked ways to travel with gear. THANK YOU!

[@usmanmajid7837]

Great video Justin and love those hacks! My question is, how do you get all your gear in the carry-on cases and still remain under the weight limit? Most international flights I travel on for example have a 7/8kg (17lbs) limit for hang luggage. These pelican cases themselves are a few kgs each, not including the gear.

[@johnjonathandiamante5342]

It doesn't get under the weight limit. You have to pay extra for overbaggage.

[@skymakai]

I recently had issues getting on a plane with my Pelican Air carry on case. The desk attendant made me weigh it and limited it to 25 lbs. I had to repack that case, moving batteries out of it to my other personal item.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I’ve never heard of a carry-on needing to be weighed. That’s pretty crazy though. Thanks for sharing it because that’s something to check first with the airlines.

[@skymakai]

@@JustinPorterMedia Yeah, it was particularly with the Pelican carry on cases.

[@FieldsFilmPhotography]

Hahaha the thumb nail is the best part! 😂

[@JustinPorterMedia]

😂😂😂😂 I’m happy cause I looked like a fool outside the venue making these 😂😂😂

[@FieldsFilmPhotography]

@@JustinPorterMedia hahah that’s hilarious 🤣. Totally worth it!

[@algersonvincent]

oh how i do NOT miss filmming weddings. the last wedding I did in JA i packed everything in my backpack haha

[@JustinPorterMedia]

😂😂😂 I put the most important in carry ons lol

[@JayDMoore]

Where did you make your media pass. I’m traveling soon with a bunch of gear for a photo/video shoot!!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I made it in photoshop and printed it. 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@martin_wood]

The golf case is actually pretty genius. My large think tank one hurt my pockets

[@kwasikessieanweasu244]

how do I create a media pass for camera equipments

[@NorthPoleRacing]

What about a laptop? I always bring my laptop in my backpack with gear for my carry on in my LowePro 450. Cause I always try to put footage onto hard drives asap when traveling just in case. Do you just bring a ton of memory cards or ever do that?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I now bring a park design camera bag that I throw my leases in with my laptop.

[@tystewart9294]

Soooo might be buying one of those hard shell cases cause it’s looks sick and is small.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Which one? The good case? They are dope. And you can push them. Travel ready haha

[@jgooch99]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely inspired! 👍🏾

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Heck yea! Glad it helped man 🔥💪🏾 Literally spur of the moment with this one. Haha

[@anshjain7396]

how do you deal with TSA? I always have to remove all my stuff from my case and bag that i am carrying as carry on

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Remove what? Your batteries?

[@anshjain7396]

@@JustinPorterMedia i mean everything, I dont a kit like yours but mostly basic video rig, a couple lenses, body, a lot of batteries, monitor, or basically anything that is made of metal lol, I fly a lot of domestic and international but never had I never removed everything camera related item from my carry on case with can take good 20 mins for entire process, as they will always flag it and want me to open and show them everything

[@AOJOPhotography]

I don’t use pelican cases but that lock was a really good idea!!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh yea. It’s dope. I’d put it in everything if it has valuables. Even the gold case I throw on I do it just incase the zippers slip lol

[@rockinwithace]

Photogarphy by Ace here. I recently traveled with my gear and had no blue the benefits of the media pass with airlines. Do you have a specfiic template you use to create your passes?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Yea the media pass is a must have. I didn’t have a template. Just went into photoshop and made one.

[@J-Dawg-1]

Thank you bro

[@Gavinnations]

This is so good to know!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

🔥🔥🔥 I get asked so much so I’m glad I did it.

[@BriBeifong]

New subscriber here! I found your channel from tik tok. Im slowly getting into videography and I edit videos and then post them to KZbin but the quality always comes out blurry when I post to KZbin. Do you have any tips to stop this?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Hey! Thanks so much for your support. I just watched a few of the videos on your channel. They don’t look blurry to me. If you’re playing them back, it could be that the playback quality is set to 720p or lower. KZbin does compress each upload but it wouldn’t reduce the quality where it would appear blurry.

[@BriBeifong]

@@JustinPorterMedia Wow thank you so much!! I’m really glad I found your channel🎉

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@BriBeifong of course. I’m happy you did as well. If you ever need anything feel free to message on IG anytime 🙌🏾

[@charliehawthorne5763]

Not sure if you ever travel with C stands but I recent got a couple savior 55” double rifle cases that are the perfect c stand bag. Has tons of side pockets for mounts and the c stands fit perfectly inside. You could honestly probably pack 4 into one bag. Downside is that it looks like you’re carrying rifles😂

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh dope yea that golf case fits full c stands. I don’t usually fly with them because of weight. If I do, usually just one. The gold case is light so you can pack more in it. Also, being able to push it instead of pulling is a big hack haha

[@jigyashjyotiborahphotograp2647]

Love from India(assam)

[@mr.tastetechtravel]

What Fanny pack do you use? Is it lens friendly?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

The sling I use is the peak design 10L travel Sling

[@LucasHuang]

I’ve been lucky so far and only need to travel with 1 wheeled case but the battery/early boarding hack is such an essential thing to knowww!! Thank you!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@WhenWillILearn]

Top tip, carry this much gear to get as jacked as Justin!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

See, I didn’t want to say it haha but I’m glad you got the message 😂😂😂💀

[@WhenWillILearn]

@@JustinPorterMedia I saw on another video a guy ask if you ate press-ups for breakfast. I nearly choked on my coffee, laughing. keep up the hard work man!

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@WhenWillILearn 😂😂😂😂😂😂 hahaha it caught me off guard too lol. Thanks so much Sean! Love the support 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@gerardomata.costarica]

You the man

[@mertkaracayil]

i wonder if in the future you would look back and say what was i doing with that much gear ! lol :)

[@evanthecameraman]

Last time I traveled for a gig we just loaded up a van and drove 12 hours there to get it done. I'm too nervous about airlines giving us problems and losing items but the air-tags would help. Not an end-all-be-all solution but at the very least you'd know the bags on the plane with you or not.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Yep I do the same. I have a 13 hour drive limit. Anything further, I’ll fly haha. I don’t mind the scenic route and I can bring everything rather than condensing the kit lol

[@kilroyfilms7590]

Where do you clothes and toiletries go man? Or is this just a one day trip kinda pack ?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Haha so I have a regular checked bag for clothes and stuff. I didn’t put it in this but I probably should of lol. The thumbnail would of looked off with a random purple checked bag.

[@kilroyfilms7590]

@@JustinPorterMedia haha gotcha thought you would have, but couldn't resist wondering if you fold your underwear in with your lenses or something :-)

[@mkflavvideo]

and what about your clothes ?

[@bradpaulp]

Omg. What’s the average luggage cost for flight??

[@bradpaulp]

Also. I presume your travel charges are added on to your wedding package. Or do you just charge enough that it’s baked in.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@bradpaulp yes, travel costs are added to the invoice but usually it’s about $300 round trip with the media pass. It varies depending on the airline though.

[@fitzgeraldfilmsMN]

What kind of car do you drive for lugging all that lol

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Haha I have a full size pickup 😂😂

[@brandonjay_gotem]

lets us see some bts @ one of you gigs?

[@JustinPorterMedia]

I’ve got a couple on the channel. In the wedding bts folder 🙌🏾

[@TrueEssencePhotography]

Now I just need a bigger car 😂 because those big cases won’t fit in a Tesla.

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Haha yep. Just grab that cyber truck when it drops haha

[@haydenandharlo]

Just talked about you in my new episode I'm about to drop...

[@JustinPorterMedia]

Oh let’s gooo drop me a link when you do

[@haydenandharlo]

@@JustinPorterMedia uploading tomorrow.

[@justinprice295]

I came here just because of the thumbnail

[@justinprice295]

Also, genius video bro. Another one *DJ Khaled Voice*

[@JustinPorterMedia]

@@justinprice295 😂😂😂😂 I mean a semi swole guy planing on a pelican is interesting 😂💀 Thanks for watching though bro.

[@sehkhyro]

this is all dope but I really wanna see his charging station for all those batteries

[@JustinPorterMedia]

The 2.0 design looks sick lol. I gotta make a breakdown video but don’t want to disassemble it lol

[@avalanche_zxc]

nice beard