Come on a shoot with me
When I first started That Rum Drinker on Instagram, it wasn’t just about the rum — it was about the shot. I’ve been a photographer long before I was a blogger, and what really got me excited was the challenge of capturing mood, light, and story in a single frame.
But as the blog grew, something shifted. The focus turned more toward the rum itself (understandably!) the bottles, the tasting notes, the distilleries… and I’ll be the first to admit I started cutting corners with the photos. Quick snaps replaced carefully planned compositions. But I’ve missed the process. I’ve missed creating.
So I’m back to doing it properly! Not just drinking great rums, but capturing them like they deserve. And one thing that’s made a huge difference is getting my hands on the Oak and Ember bag — a gift that’s genuinely helped motivate me to level up my photography game again.
In this post, I want to bring you behind the scenes on a typical shoot day: How I plan it, what gear I use, and how this one piece of kit has made the whole experience smoother, more creative, and honestly, more fun.
The gear
I’m fortunate that when I decided the life of a professional photographer wasn’t for me anymore that I kept all of my old equipment. I shoot with the Canon 5D Mark III and have a selection of lenses, flashguns and accessories to help me along the way.
So I’ve had all of this equipment but I’ve been taking photos on my phone, why?? The simple answer is convenience.. lugging around some photography equipment AND then having to safely bring along a bottle (or three) of rum and glassware was a challenge!
This is where the Oak and Ember bag comes in! It’s beautifully designed (durable & water resistant material with secure zips) but more importantly, it’s smart with padded compartments for my precious bottles.
The final step here is to stare mindlessly at my rum collection trying to decide which bottles are coming with me for the day – fortunately I can fit 4 in the bag!!
Once I’m packed, it’s time to chase the shot. Sometimes it’s a moody corner of a local bar, sometimes a patch of golden light in my kitchen, or even a beach/field/forest. Wherever I go from now on the Oak and Ember bag will be right there with me… I don’t know how I got around without it before! Afterall it’s carrying the rum. And for anyone who’s ever tried to transport a delicate, possibly rare (and often expensive) bottle safely through a city or down a rocky path, you’ll understand how game-changing that is.
The padded compartments can hold four bottles nice and secure, with enough structure to keep them safe but enough give to fit unusual shapes. I no longer have to awkwardly wrap bottles in towels, bubble wrap or cross my fingers they don’t clink against each other. Everything is protected, organised, and easy to access.
The shot
Setup on location is quicker now, too. No rummaging through multiple bags. I unzip, grab what I need, and get straight to shooting. That flow — from packing to pouring — lets me stay in the creative zone.
I shoot fast, looking for interesting angles, light flares, or that perfect moment when the condensation beads just right on the glass. And of course, I’ll take a quick sip (for research, naturally) before packing everything safely back into the Oak and Ember bag, ready for the next location — or the next bottle.
Back home
Back home I back up my files, edit as needed, and start writing the post. I will often try (when I have the time) to do a first write up that is more focussed on the bottle, brand and photos before doing a second pass with my tasting notes.
The Oak and Ember bag might just be a bag. But for me, it’s been a reset button. It’s helped me return to the kind of creator I started out as — someone who shoots stories, not just shares them. Now I just need to keep it up!
If you’re a fellow blogger, content creator, or even just a rum enthusiast who loves to document the journey, I can’t recommend it enough.
Here’s to great rums, and even better photos.
Cheers,
That Rum Drinker
