When going on an extended trip it is always difficult for me to choose which LEGO friends to bring along. Favorites? Fresh inspiration? The stars of whatever current project is in the works? The possibilities are endless and the consequences seemingly dire. Who hasn’t been in the field wishing that they had packed a specific mini figure or accessory?

I am about to leave on a two week sojourn across the old country (read Europe) with my eldest child in tow. Although this trip started out as a final mother / daughter adventure before my daughter heads off to university, it has morphed into a full blown two week photo safari. Not exactly something either one of us had bargained for, but I am looking forward to it.

Before my adventures end in Stockholm for the epic #balticphotosafari, I will be making stops in Berlin, Hamburg and Billund to visit lego photography friends. These wonderful Instagram friends (@issogud.62, @herrk and @julochka respectively) have all thrown out the welcome mat and I am excited for whatever adventures and experiences await.

But that still leaves the question of who to pack?

So far I have over 120 misc figures (classic space, vikings, pirates, divers, customs, TMNT, Minecraft, fairy unicorns, Deadpool, prototype Bob Fett, yetis, skeletons, chickens, Chima, etc) a few dinosaurs, one dragon, a few space ships, three small boats and one very cute robot. I have also packed three small bins of miscellaneous accessories, scooters, bikes and small animals. Even with all of this, I know I will get there and wish I had brought something else.

This past Sunday I went out in the field with @Dinoczars, @Wiiman and @carteraug21 for a lovely morning of shooting in one of my favorite spots. I didn’t want to pack even more toys, so I grabbed the toys I had already packed for my upcoming adventure. I am so glad I did. What an uninspiring lot of LEGO it was! I had intended to branch out and try some new toys, move beyond my tired favorites, but now I realize there is a reason I keep shooting Chima, Classic Space, Minecraft, Unicorn Fairies and the little Robot…they work for me.

So I spent that evening repacking my LEGO. I removed the Hotdog Guy, Scooby-Doo, The Simpsons and a few more that I will never photograph; they are not my muses.

~ xxSJC

Ps – How many LEGO do you take when you go on vacation? One? A small bin? Or overkill like me?

PPS – I do envy the toy photographer who can bring five mini figures (or even just one) on an extended trip and have that be more than enough inspiration. I am learning to pack less clothes, maybe I can learn to pack less LEGO. Just not THIS trip. 

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