mary_timbers

<p>No problem, glad I can help! Wish I could tell you for sure the laws for the permit, but I had tried calling, emailing and looking everywhere for my first wedding down there and I couldn't get a straight answer! The only thing I heard from everywhere is that you won't get any attention if you just have a camera, a few flashes, and lenses, since it's the same as what a camera hobbyist would bring on vacation. I used two of these bags (my second shooter had the second bag) - http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-international-v2-roller-camera-bag.aspx It has the added security locks and a thick wire with a lock for safe keeping and is small enough to fit any airline requirement for carry on. In each bag, we had memory cards, batteries, chargers, 2 flashes each(with the little flash stands, to do off camera flash hands-free if we needed it), 2-3 lenses, and one camera body. I was also able to squeeze in my mamiya 645 and rolls of film, plus a point and shoot underwater camera. I also have one of those tiny netbooks that I can hook up a card reader and an external hard drive for on-location back up. For my checked bag, I packed a tripod for my long exposures, an extra set of batteries and memory cards, and the pellets for the underwater camera casing (for some reason, all the pellets I packed on my carry-on bag were unusable, so I'd recommend if you are bringing any, to pack some on your carry on and some in your checked bag to make sure you have some usable ones when you land). I hope that helps!!</p>

<p>Hey Chris! I actually have gone twice now since the original thread was posted and didn't have any trouble getting to the destination weddings each time. I didn't need a permit and there were no problems with my bags at customs (I had a purse and my think tank rolling camera bag as my carry-on bag, to travel light and my second shooter did the same. I also checked a clothing bag with extra things I couldn't carry on, but that weren't so important if the luggage was lost.) The biggest thing I would recommend doing is asking your clients to check with the resort on their policies with outside wedding photographers. The resort I went to had the couples pay a nominal fee, but some resorts don't allow for any outside photography. Good luck! </p>

<p>I'm photographing a friend's wedding in Jamaica and am a little worried about being stopped at customs because I don't have a work permit. I was told I don't need one from numerous photographers local to me since I'm not getting paid for the photography coverage (the bride and groom are paying for my entire stay as compensation). I thought I would post this question here since I'm sure there are experienced destination wedding photographers who can ease my nerves for this upcoming wedding (this will be my first international destination wedding). I tried to contact the Jamaican government, sending an email to three different contacts (2 of which were not deliverable even though they were government officials') but was given no response. I'm worried really about two things:</p> <p>1. Will i be stopped at customs because I don't have a permit? Even if I'm not being paid<br> 2. I will be bringing a whole bag of camera bodies/lenses/flashes (obviously pro gear, not the typical traveler fare), will I have trouble bringing it in or do I need to list it as tools of trade?</p> <p>Thanks for all of your help!</p>