let’s talk camera bags (and my new favorite almost-diy bag!).

If you’re a photographer – or even just someone who likes to take photographs of your kids at various events – you likely have a problem finding the ideal camera bag. Even when there are a gazillion of them out there – or 232,226 according to amazon, finding the one that’s absolutely perfect in every way? Nearly impossible.

Until this week, these were my 3 primary bags:

ThinkTank Airport International v2.0:

This is – quite simply – the ultimate in camera equipment storage. I use this bag to store my cameras, lenses, chargers etc., and when I shot portrait sessions on-location I would just pop it into the back of my Trailblazer and pull from it as needed. But it’s meant for storage and long-distance travel, not little Billy’s soccer game (although just imagine how impressed the soccer moms would be if you roll up with this bad boy!).

Jill.e Small Nylon bag:

I’ve used this one for non-photo session camera toting for a few years now, and it’s been fine, albeit a bit clunky. I’ve just outgrown it now that I have the iPad and kid-electronics to carry, so I always end up with a 2nd tote bag. Two bags = not fun.

Shootsac:

The Shootsac was my on-location bag & I loooved it. I’d pop the ThinkTank in the truck, and when I got to my location I’d keep my camera in my hand & carry spare lenses in the Shootsac. But now? Not what I need (although my friend Traci gave me an AMAZING tip, which I will share at the end of this post!).

And this is my favorite non-camera bag, an REI Tote that I picked up a few years ago:

Oh, how I love this tote. Huge inside, pockets galore both inside and out, water bottle pockets on the ends, easy-to-carry on-shoulder and off. Ahhh…If I ever lose this tote I will cry.

Now to my dilemma. My camera needs now are sports, pool, activity and/or fine art . I need ONE BAG to carry:

• 5D Mark ii with a lens mounted (either my 24-70 or 100 macro)

• Canon 100-400 2.8 (if I’m at one of Aidan’s games) or my 70-200 2.8 (activity and/or art shooting).

• Extra battery & CF cards.

• iPad

• Kindle

• iPhone

• Ava’s Nintendo DS

• Ava’s iTouch (my old iPhone, repurposed)

• Aidan’s iTouch

• Wallet, sunscreen, water bottles, sunglasses, etc.

So basically, my REI Tote in a camera bag. Good luck to me!

I posted on Facebook and a bunch of lovely friends linked up some AMAZING bags. Truly amazing. Problem was the price – none were under $200. Justified, for sure, but *I* couldn’t justify it when I already own so many pricey bags.

ENTER THIS BEAUTY:

This, my friends, is the BBP Camera Insert Bag. And for $30, it safely holds exactly the equipment I need:

And fits INSIDE MY REI TOTE!!!

Are you kidding me?!?! I have my camera + lenses in the padded, divided box (with room to spare for iPhones & kindle), the iPad slides right in next to it and I still have ALL the tote pockets to store everything else.

I just cannot express how happy I am about this. Giddy, in fact.

The BB insert has a flap on the top to hold batteries & cards, and comes with 4 adjustable velcro dividers. I only needed one, so I stuck 2 on the ends for extra padding and one along the side to create a pocket for Aidan’s iTouch or my iPhone or whatever. It comes in blue, olive and yellow.

You’re welcome.

OH, and here’s the awesome Shootsac tip from Traci: She says it is the *best* Disney or amusement park bag EVER! 6 neoprene pockets for water, small camera, sunscreen, wallet, tickets, etc. It’s lightweight and molds to your body so it can go right on rides with you – and it’s waterproof! I can TOTALLY see how awesome it would be! So the Shootsac will stay with me, just repurposed into an activity bag. Love it!