When planning your next great overseas adventure make sure to think beyond your standard packing needs and consider your photography and videography needs as well. Photographs and videos make the best (and cheapest) souvenirs and you won't want to be stuck overseas with a dead camera battery or full memory card. So, remember to plan ahead and save yourself from spending too much money on memory cards and batteries in overseas electronic shops and tourist kiosks.

First, make sure you purchase an electrical converter to charge your camera's battery in the country you are visiting. European countries use different electric voltage (220V) and electric plug-ins than the United States (110V). Visit an electronics store like Radio Shack to make sure you have a converter that is compatible with your camera's battery charger. Also, if you are traveling to several European Countries keep in mind the United Kingdom uses different electric adapters than the European Union and you will need a United Kingdom adapter and a Continental European adapter to make your electric converter work in all countries.

Next, make sure you have enough memory space on your camera and plenty of battery power. When I'm traveling overseas I always make sure to bring at least one extra memory card. If you order from an online retailer like Amazon or Ebay you can usually get a better deal than in your standard department store. The same goes for batteries. If your camera takes a special battery type search for the model online and you can probably get a much cheaper version. For example, I recently found a name-brand camcorder battery online for $6 (after shipping) that would have cost me $30 in a bricks and mortar store.

Finally, if you really want to play it safe, bring an old camera with you just in case. On my last trip to Europe I visited Mount Pilatus in Switzerland and the high altitude caused the camera to stop working.

Remember, things happen when you travel; having a backup plan is always a good idea.