Moving artistic, musical, or photography equipment across the country is nothing like moving regular household items. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a musician, a painter, or a digital creator, your gear isn’t just “stuff”—it’s how you earn a living.
This guide breaks down how to pack, ship, and protect your creative studio when relocating between California and New York, and how to work with a dependable mover for long-distance CA↔NY routes.
1. Start With a Complete Studio Inventory
Before you touch a single box, document everything in your studio.
Create three categories:
- Delicate / fragile items
- Cameras, lenses
- Lighting equipment
- Musical instruments
- Framed artwork
- Oils, acrylics, and specialty supplies
- Hard-to-replace items
- Vintage instruments
- Limited-edition cameras
- Custom canvases
- Archival work or negatives
- Bulky or heavy items
- Stands, tripods, backdrops
- Studio furniture
- Amps, speakers, mixers
- Printing equipment
A thorough inventory helps with planning, pricing, and insurance—and prevents loss during transit.
2. Packing Tips for Artistic and Creative Equipment
Photography gear
- Use hard-shell cases with customizable foam.
- Remove batteries from all devices.
- Wrap lenses individually in microfiber cloths.
- For lighting gear, secure bulbs separately in padded containers.
Musical instruments
- Loosen string tension on guitars, violins, and similar instruments.
- For brass and woodwinds, separate removable pieces and pad them individually.
- Use instrument-specific hard cases.
- If you own a piano or keyboard workstation, hire movers who can handle specialty items.
Fine art
- For canvases, use corner protectors + glassine paper + bubble wrap.
- Never lay canvases flat; stand them upright.
- For framed work, create an “X” with painter’s tape across the glass to prevent shattering.
- Use custom-size picture boxes if possible.
Content creator setups
- Secure monitors in original boxes when possible.
- Use padded sleeves for microphones and podcasting gear.
- Protect PC towers with foam-in-bag cushioning or molded inserts.
3. Storage Planning for Creative Professionals
If you’re splitting time between coasts or don’t yet know how much studio space you'll have, consider temporary storage.
Choose a storage space that is:
- Climate-controlled
- Pest-free
- Secure with individual alarms
- Easily accessible for large cases and gear
Items like canvases, musical instruments, and electronics are vulnerable to humidity and temperature changes—so climate control isn’t optional.
4. Insuring Your Creative Studio Equipment
Your artistic equipment is often worth far more than typical household goods. Check:
✔ Home or renter’s insurance
Some policies cover items in transit, but many do not.
✔ Specialty gear riders
You may need additional coverage for cameras, instruments, or artwork.
✔ Mover-provided valuation coverage
Moving companies offer valuation protection, but it’s not the same as insurance. It may not cover high-value professional gear unless upgraded.
Take photos of each item before packing. Save serial numbers and receipts.
5. Should You Ship or Move Gear With a CA↔NY Mover?
For cross-country relocations, you’ll choose between:
A. Moving everything through a CA↔NY specialist
Best for:
- Full creative studios
- Large instruments
- Lighting rigs
- Multiple cases of gear
- Expensive or fragile equipment
This option keeps everything together and simplifies insurance.
B. Shipping select items
Good for:
- Single cameras
- Lenses
- Microphones
- Smaller items already in hard cases
Avoid shipping large guitars, keyboards, lighting gear, or framed art—they break easily with parcel carriers.
C. Carrying essentials with you
You should hand-carry:
- Primary camera bodies
- Favorite lenses
- Hard drives and memory cards
- Anything irreplaceable
6. How to Work With a CA↔NY Mover When You Have Creative Equipment
Choose a mover with:
✔ Experience with fragile, high-value items
✔ Predictable timeframes (not multi-week windows)
✔ Availability on both coasts
✔ Direct service without subcontractors
MoveEast specializes exclusively in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City—making them a strong fit for creative professionals who move between major artistic hubs.
Packing assistance
Ask for partial packing services for large lights, monitors, and framed artwork—they often require custom protection.
Labeling
Use a code like:
- PH for photography
- MU for music
- AR for artwork
- CR for content creator gear
This helps with tracking and minimizes mishandling.
7. Setup Tips: Rebuilding Your Studio on the Other Coast
When you arrive in your new home:
- Start with climate-sensitive items (instruments, cameras).
- Set up a dedicated unpacking zone.
- Test all electronics for damage immediately.
- Reassemble stands and lighting gear last.
- Update your studio layout based on the new space’s lighting and acoustics.
Moving between California and New York may require adjusting your creative workflow—natural light, room acoustics, and humidity vary greatly by region.
