During geological work for future planetary missions, portable/hand‐held infrared spectral imaging instruments have the potential to significantly benefit science objectives. We assess how ground‐based infrared spectral imaging can be incorporated into geological field work in a planetary setting through a series of field campaigns at two analog sites: Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico. For this study, we utilize thermal infrared emission spectroscopy (8–13 μm) because this wavelength range is sensitive to major silicate spectral features and covers the terrestrial atmospheric window; however, our conclusions are applicable to other forms of infrared imaging (e.g., near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy). We demonstrate the ways in which spectral imaging could potentially enhance the science return and/or efficiency of traditional geological field work. Benefits include the following: documentation of major compositional variations within scenes, the ability to detect visually subtle and/or concealed variability in (sub) units, and the ability to characterize remote and/or inaccessible outcrops. These advantages could help field workers rapidly document sample context and develop strategic work plans. Furthermore, ground‐based imaging provides a critical link between orbital/aerial imaging scales and sampling scales. Last, infrared spectral imaging data may be combined with in situ measurement techniques, such as X‐ray fluorescence, as well as other ground‐based remote sensing techniques, such as LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), to maximize geological understanding of the work area. Plain Language Summary: Future missions to planetary objects are expected to have increasingly more human and rover components in surface exploration. To aid the explorers in conducting scientific tasks, portable instruments will likely be invaluable. Currently, knowledge of instrument suitability and most effective incorporation strategies are not sufficiently developed. As one of the first steps in this development process, we assess the fundamental capabilities of portable imaging technique in providing critical information for geological field work on planetary surfaces. Portable imaging, operating in the thermal infrared (8–13 μm), captured crucial data regarding rock/mineral types at field sites analogous to planetary settings. Value brought forth by portable infrared imaging is substantial, and this technique has the potential to benefit effective geological field work, which may lead to maximizing scientific return from missions. This finding and accompanying analyses presented here serve as a foundation for further development of instruments and mission strategies. Key Points: Infrared spectral imaging can capture valuable geological information unattainable by other methodsGround‐based imaging provides a critical link in scale between orbital measurements and individual sampling sitesAdvantages of infrared spectral imaging may benefit future planetary surface missions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]