Traveling with your iPhone is so much better when you plan ahead. The moment when you come upon two Black Rhinoceros is not the time to wonder if you have a charged battery!
If you’ve got a trip planned, you’re probably already mentally packing your suitcase! You know what clothes you’ll need, and you’ve even renewed your passport. You feel like you’ve got it all together! But it’s easy to forget some critical gear, especially if you like to take photos while traveling.
Here are a few practical and fun tips to help you become an iPhone packing expert.
Tip Number 1: Bring the power when traveling with your iPhone!

Don’t arrive at your hotel only to remember the chargers you left at home!
Here’s the solution: assemble duplicates of all the chargers you’ll need for your trip. It’s easy to order them from Amazon, Best Buy, or Apple.
But they’ll only help you if you put them in a small bag and store them with your suitcases. A Ziplock bag will work, or you can reuse an amenity bag from an airline.
Bonus tip: Never throw amenity bags away! Instead, store them with your camera equipment. Then, when you need a small bag for photography gadgets, you’ve got one! And you get bonus points for recycling. 😉
Here’s the secret to making the duplicates work for you: Never use them at home. This way, you’re always ready to leave without worry. You grab the bag, throw it into your carry-on, and you’re ready!
Some charger advice:
I use Anker chargers for my iPhone and iPad. They’re powerful, and you can order ones that charge two devices at once. Best of all, your iPad and iPhone will charge faster when you use them. Don’t forget to include the cables when you place your order.

Here’s an important tip for cyber security: don’t use the charging stations at airports or hotels. Crafty thieves have figured out how to steal your data or load malware onto your iPhone or iPad when you use them. But remember, you’re way ahead. You have your Anker charger in your carry-on, and you can plug that in anywhere there’s an electrical outlet.
If you have an Apple Watch, add a duplicate charger for it, too.
Plus, a 12-volt charger will come in handy if you’re traveling by car, RV, or safari truck. Trust me, you’ll be the hero of the safari truck when you pull out your charger!
More charger advice for traveling with your iPhone:
While you’re at it, include a battery pack for your mobile phone. You can buy one that attaches magnetically to newer iPhones. They come in various sizes, so choose one you’re comfortable holding and carrying when it’s connected to your phone.
Are you bringing your laptop? Include a duplicate charger. (For MacBooks, be sure to order the charger that matches the wattage of the charger that came with your laptop, as they vary. And include the proper cable to attach it to your laptop.)
But how can you plug in your chargers?

We’re not finished! Throw in both a 2-prong and 3-prong three-way adapter plug, too. You’ll be surprised by how few outlets you’ll find in hotel rooms. I carry a 2-prong version that is flat and bends, and it works well in hotels that place the outlets on the base of lamps.
Are you going overseas? Add an SKROSS travel adapter or two. They adapt to fit most electric plugs worldwide.

And here’s a bonus tip for travel out of the country: don’t be tempted to bring along a power strip that is a surge protector since they won’t work with local power.
Tip #2: Throw in some fun when you’re traveling with your iPhone!
So many of us return from vacations and realize we have no photos of ourselves! Don’t be that person! You can come home with proof that you were on the trip if you bring something to hold your camera! The perfect solution is a lightweight tripod like the Smartree Telescoping Selfie Stick with a screw-on tripod stand and an iPhone adapter.
Yes, you can use this as a selfie stick, but better yet, you can use it as a tripod for your mobile phone.
Remember, when ordering handy gadgets, you’ll be carrying them, so watch the weight and size. The lighter, the better!

A nice upgrade to throw in when traveling with your iPhone is the MeFoto Sidekick360 Smartphone Tripod Adapter. You can use it on top of any tripod to hold your iPhone, and it will even sit on the ground or on a table since it has a flat base. These come in two sizes, so be sure to measure the dimensions of your iPhone, including its case. It also comes in different colors; bright colors are much easier to find in your camera bag.

And order a Pocket Tripod. These ingenious, inexpensive gadgets are the size of a credit card and fold into a small but adjustable tripod. I always have mine with me in my pocketbook.

Add a remote to your gadget bag!
Taking photos using a tripod is easier if you have a small remote, like the CamKix Camera Shutter Remote or even the Camera Remote App on your Apple Watch! Here’s yet another bonus tip: set the timer on your iPhone to 3 seconds. That way, you can press the button on the remote and then have three seconds to look natural. You don’t have to set the timer for the Apple Watch camera remote since it assumes you’ll need time and automatically sets a 3-second timer.
Keeping your iPhone lenses clean can be challenging, so carry a Moment Mobile Lens Cleaning Pen. It has a brush to remove dust and a cleaning tip to remove smudges and fingerprints, and it’s small enough to fit into your pocket.

Now it’s your turn:
To make your packing easier, you can find a printable checklist here.
I write about the perfect iPhone camera bag here.
Interested in learning more camera tips? Be sure to sign up for my mailing list here: https://bit.ly/sign-up-for-mailing-list.
Ready to understand your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera to take photos you love, check out my Camera Mechanics Workshop here.
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