Planning, Packing and Common Sense

Fighting back against FOMO

Latourell Falls, Oregon (2021) | ©Jason P. Odell

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be heading to Oregon to lead a small-group photography workshop with my Image Doctors podcast co-host, Rick Walker. This is the time where we start working with our clients to help them tailor their kits for the trip. One of the biggest challenges we all struggle with when planning a trip is fear of missing out (FOMO). This very real psychological condition causes us to overthink, overpack, and become overwhelmed.

Initial Planning Phase

Let’s start with the destination and our anticipated subjects. Oregon in the spring is home to lush forests and numerous majestic waterfalls. Landscapes there are one of my favorite subjects. We’ll also be spending several days out on the coast, where there are seascapes, lighthouses, and small towns to visit. So clearly, we’re talking about a traditional landscape kit:

• Camera + tripod

• Midrange zoom (24-70mm or 24-120mm)

But of course, there will probably be some scenarios when I’ll want to either shoot wider or tighter. That suggests adding two more lenses:

• Super-wide zoom (16-35mm or similar)

• Telephoto zoom (70-200mm or similar)

But Wait, Isn’t There More?