in photo fashion

We all have our own unique style and flair in the way we use our cameras; how we shoot, what we shoot...each of us a little different; distinctly us. And the longer we shoot the more into our own groove we get. But what about our photography accessories?

To be honest, I never really thought about it for the majority of my career. It was what it was. Black camera, black strap, black bag. Period. Style? What style? You mean there are choices?

Unlike 15 years ago, when there really weren’t many choices, today there all sorts of cool options. Companies are beginning to recognize us women more and more and –hallelujah—are even designing photo equipment and accessories with us in mind!

Spending time last summer with some pretty hip photo chicks, I noticed that I was one of the only ones without a nifty, personalize camera strap. Hey, wait a minute, what’s going on around here! You mean I can actually choose a strap of my very own? And don’t get me started on cool camera bags!

My search took me straight to Etsy which is loaded with amazing choices for girlie photo gear (and when I say girlie I am not just talking pink) most of which are hand made. And then there is the unprecedented PhotoJojo Store. Take their latest addition; the recycled seat belt camera strap (shown above). This baby is obviously not just for women but it does deliver that something funky I was looking for. And I am LOVING my teal beauty not only for its funk but for its function. It can be quickly adjusted so that my camera actually sits at my hip level (you can wear it like you would a messenger bag) which is ideal because I literally shoot from the hip as much as I do looking through my view finder.

What do you do/have/wear that gives your equipment a little pizzazz? Anything out of the ordinary? Do you have any discoveries to share? Leave a comment here and you could win one of these fine seatbelt straps courtesy of our friends at PhotoJojo.

Comments

[Marcie]

Check out these 'Crumpler' bags. They make fun..stylish bags to carry your camera in:

https://www.crumplerbags.com/flash/flash.aspx#/english/products.html

[Sebrina]

I am so boring.. but I have a camera strap and a bag on my list. I love these bags http://www.jill-e.com/

[Alicia]

I haven't gotten anything yet as far as unique camera accessories. I definitely want a unique camera strap and am in the process of looking for a cool camera bag! Can't wait to see all the links that people share so I can get some inspiration and ideas!

[renee @ FIMBY]

oh... I feel so ordinary. Black, black and grey describes my camera scene and accessories but I am so NOT a black, black and grey person. I'm pink, purple, blue, yellow and green. Hum... feeling inspired to jazz up the camera part of me a little.

[Kathy Winter]

I'm on the search for a stylish camera bag...but these straps are also on my list! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=102997

[dr lyn]

so cute! And I agree, I just use the same old strap that came with the camera -- I guess I never thought about it!

[sandra]

uh oh...just the basic black here :) I love those seatbelt straps, though! Looks like they're adjustable to the perfect length for shooting from the hip!

[alice]

I must say I just go with the regular straps that the camera comes with and my camera bags are all rather boring ones. This must change!

[Gayle]

I've got the boring black strap and the boring black bag. I need color!

[beth]

I just wear a big smile and an even bigger attitude knowing that this will be a great day to take photos :)

[Puna]

I don't have any nifty camera wear:( but I would love a seatbelt strap:)

[rachael s]

i have nothing, just the black strap + black bag. i did have a march for babies pin on the strap for a bit which added a little character, but it was getting in my way so i had to remove it. i think i need some color :)

[sharon]

I love my Phat Strap Wrist Strap. http://www.phatstraps.com/inc/sdetail/183

I wish I could afford a different for each day. ;)

[keli]

i've been meaning to sew a strap cover for ages but just haven't found the 2 minutes to do it ... so i just settle with my gorgeous tracy joy bag

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twelve-paws/3194872720/

[Toni | DailyVignette]

I'm afraid I'm not so colorful, just your basic boring black...and black...and...oh yeah - black! I've been coveting a Shootsac, though, but this would be a great way to get started with some color.

http://www.shootsac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=76 or
http://www.shootsac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=76 or
http://www.shootsac.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=22
or any of them really!

[Alli]

I use a Thermos lunchbag as my camera bag.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumleydotorg/2760734101/in/set-72157606715650601/

And my camera strap is a handmade Black Rapid strap, using grey seatbelt material:
http://www.blackrapid.com/video/
(The Black Rapid was great when I was pregnant, made carrying the DSLR easier than letting it rest on the front of my belly.)

[devan]

love it! still just black here, but i've been looking for a cool strap and bag.

[Kiana]

I do have a Shootsac and my mother has made several very cool, personalized covers for it.

[Artie]

I guess I've never thought about it before, but my eyes have now been opened. LOVE the seatbelt camera strap! I will definitely be checking those out.....and maybe some nifty little camera bags too. The one we have is functional, but soooo NOT cute!

[Kizz]

I don't have a cool strap for my digital but my old trusty film camera has a vintage 70s strap that I bought when I got the camera. It screams SHAG CHIC! and I think I saw the exact same one used on a camera Russel Crowe carried in a period flick. The strap is disintegrating but I am limping it along because it feels so much a part of the camera itself.

[Sarah - Ji]

Now THAT is a blue I can't resist!

I have a Souldier Camera Strap ( http://souldier.us/index.php ), and I think they make those Recycled Car Seatbelt Straps too.

You can SORT of see it in this photo, but it's kinda fuzzy: http://sarah-ji.squarespace.com/blog/2009/3/11/fading.html

[Jessica]

I got a t-bird teal strap from Photojojo, too! It just came in the mail yesterday:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesshibb/3544212208/

For a camera/everyday bag, I use a Timbuk2 metro messenger bag ... At some point I'll get something with more padding, but my film cameras are pretty rugged.

[kristyk]

Fancy straps are the best. I can tell my kids to 'bring me the camera with black flowers' and they know exactly which one I want!

[Elizabeth]

I have one of the seatbelt straps, in porche purple, and I absolutely love it.

Now, if I could just find the perfect camera bag.....

[Kelly]

I have a couple of vintage camera straps that I love.

[Keri]

Splityarn makes super cute camera straps for DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras. They're all handmade and the quality is exceptional.

http://shop.splityarn.com/category/camera-straps-dslr

A photo of my Splityarn strap and my review is here: http://thewandergirl.com/2009/02/splityarn-camera-straps/

[claudia]

Just got my new dslr and using the strap that came with it, so not that much fun. Can't wait to check out what everyone else is using. Totally loving your long, over the shoulder strap, helps not to wreck the neck!! :)

[Jess]

My trusty dslr strap features a design with little dancing stick figures holding cameras. I rather enjoy it, but am totally coveting a photojojo strap. My old school film camera has a vintage brown/orange bohemian strap, but the camera (and the strap) are MIA after moving. Drat! I have a standard large boring padded Tamrac bag and a sassy Crumpler bag, both of which I rarely use because they're just too dang bulky.

[Kim Adams]

I love my Jill-e bag for nicer events, and my Lowpro 250 fastpack for hiking. I could really use a cool camera strap, though.

[Mrs Soup]

My stuff is all the basic, except my point and shoot has a colorful striped little bag for it. But after checking out etsy, I may need to get some cute stuff and branch out!

[Davielle Huffman]

Girls, it's time to ACCESSORIZE our favorite hobby: photography. I have been searching for just the right COLORFUL and FUNKY and DIFFERENT camera strap for several months now. All of you that participate in BEST SHOT MONDAY know what I mean - it's about taking it to the next level, right? This just could be the one! :-) Thanks, Tracey, for this. Way cool giveaway. -- Davielle

[Jenny Rebecca]

I have the 4 Million Dollar Home crumpler bag but no snazzy camera strap yet! I love the seatbelt idea.

[Jamie Lapeyrolerie]

I just made this doscovery and I like it!

http://www.rileygstrapworks.com/page/page/6735720.htm

They are made from recycled materials and as his website says: “eco-friendly and stylish camera straps.” :)

[Jaana]

Just ordered one of the seatbelt straps! Love those!!!

[Skye]

I have looked at all the beautiful neck straps, but really prefer a hand strap. Has anyone seen one? I have a very basic boring one from Ebay. I do love thos seat belt straps and am thinkging of one for my seond camera.!

[Becky]

I don't think I own a single non-black accessory. I should get on that!

[djbeat]

yesyesyes to photojojo!

i have spent many an hour looking for fun /nice accessories - enter etsy
http://www.etsy.com see tanybug strap covers

& i think there is something cool & retro about gordy's straps http://www.electricedge.com/gordy_s_straps/store/color/index.htm

[Jeni]

OH that strap is gorgeous!!! I would love one that I could wear like a messenger bag! Right now, I just have the plain ole' black bag and black strap, but would love to punch it up!!! :)

[mama-pan]

I don't know if she reads here but I *love* Erin's DSLR straps from houseonhillroad: http://houseonhillroad.bigcartel.com/ Does anyone have ideas (to make or buy?) for cool point-and-shoot bags?

[Stacy]

I love my Jill-E bag. I have had a camera strap cover on my to-do list for awhile. Seeing all the fun ones definitely makes me want to get it done sooner rather than later!

[Michelle G.]

Because I absolutely love your blog, I wanted to give you an award:) Please stop by Faith on Fire to pick it up and have a FABULOUS day! http://michellegillsphotography.blogspot.com/2009/05/faith-on-fires-very-first-award.html

[jaye]

Everything I have is boring black. Ick!

[jeanne]

i have the ultimate strap made for me by House on Hill Road!! I sent her the fabric, she made me the strap, it's unique and awesome!!

[Jeanette]

oooh those are funky! I like!

[Leslie]

Wow,I'm impressed! Still using the basic black myself but, I'd love to joon the hip photo chick club.

[sandy]

I have never really thought about it, but you are absolutely right. I have been trying to come up with an idea so I can stash my 35mm in a handbag type "thing" - easier to take to more functions, and I'm thinking airline travel needs to be streamlined, as well. I am actually making a quilted bag which may be meant for knitting, but I think can be adapted to my needs. Color is essential! I'm going to check out the sites you mentioned and go on the "strap hunt!" Thanks!

[Kathleen O./ko2008]

For Christmas, my mom got me a great camera strap from phatstraps.com (http://www.phatstraps.com/camera-straps?start=0) . I love it! It's long enough to be flexible for the ways I shoot, but not so long that I bang my camera on stuff (too much...not the strap's fault). I'm thinkin' I might need a new one for spring...hmmm.

[Diamond]

Here's my "baby" with her new "outfit" :-).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelndisgizze07/3546913138/

Got it from Etsy!

[Kimberly]

A seat belt, now who'da thunk? :) I tried making one of these myself out of ribbon, and it was a big flop. LOL! I may have to try again though. I've actually completely removed my strap and use my camera without it. If I don't win, perhaps I'll give making a new strap a go again.

[Lindsey]

I use a wrist strap that I got on etsy.com - it feels less confining, although i would totally dig a seatbelt strap!!