Taking Your Show on the Road This Thanksgiving

My husband and I just completed an eight-hour car ride with three small kids in tow, all so we could attend my sister's wedding and celebrate an early Thanksgiving with loved ones. I won't bore you with all details, but suffice it to say that I believe a royal coronation would have taken less planning.

I know it's no small shakes to take your crew 'on tour' this Thansgiving. There are clothes, stuffed animals and pajamas to remember--but don't forget about your camera!

Here a few tips so you won’t have to spend a moment worrying about whether your camera is ready when you are to capture those smiles.

Preparation Pays: Those Scouts know what they’re talking about when they advise us to ‘be prepared.’ This is certainly true when it comes to digital camera batteries. Make sure to pack an extra set of AA batteries or an extra rechargeable battery. It is a very small investment and can mean the difference between getting the shots you want and hoping a relative will send copies of her pictures to you after the event is over.

Lens Cloths Save Time Later: Keep a lens cloth in your camera bag and spend a few seconds cleaning your camera lens before you start shooting. If you carry a small 'point-and-shoot' camera, keep a lens cloth in your handbag (I do!). Finding a recurrent smudge on your favorite Thanksgiving photos can make you feel a little less joyous, and cleaning your lens before the picture event is far less time consuming than trying to correct the images later using a photo editing program later.

Bring the Right Bag: Not all camera bags are created equal, and cramming your camera and accessories into a backpack or briefcase isn’t always the best idea. For special family visits and vacations, it pays to pack your camera and accessories in a properly-padded camera bag. There are designs for every budget and style preference, and when it comes to getting ready for a trip, a camera bag is the one accessory that can keep all your gear properly organized and protected.

How I Became a Member of a Club I Never Wanted to Join...

Well, I just became a statistic.

I am now one of the 43% of people who have lost valuable data and photographs due to a computer issue, although in my case, I didn’t suffer a hard drive crash. My laptop was stolen, and with it, were all the most important files and photos I cherished.

After the anger and shock wore off, I got right to work. I had been using an online back-up service, and I can tell you it was the one thing (along with an extremely patient husband) that helped me get back up and running within a week’s time. I shudder to think what would have happened had I chosen not to back up that data.

I ask you to make sure that you’re backing up your files and photos either on DVDs, an external hard drive, or an online service. I use a combination of methods and chose Carbonite.com for the online backup service. It was worth every penny of the $50 I spent on the subscription.

It’s true that ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.’ Let my experience serve as a reminder. Ignore some other chores long enough to back up your favorite photos and files. It will give you peace of mind and be time well spent.