Here's a little glimpse of how
Lowepro employees carry on
with our bags.

Name: David Ray

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Pacific Northwest boats. European castles. Hawaiian active volcanoes. David from our web team has taken his camera—and favorite camera bags—to all corners of the world. And he's carried Lowepro designs since the 1980s. We appreciate that kind of loyalty! For his most recent trek to Europe, he used the Toploader Zoom 45 AW for its quick access and compact, easy-to-wear design.

Best photo tip:Some of the best photo opportunities come and go quickly. It's best to carry the camera so it's ready to pull out and take photos on a moment's notice. I almost always shoot my DSLR in manual mode, so I pre-adjust the camera's settings before each outing to help minimize the set-up time. Having fast access to the camera is a key factor in capturing great photos, too.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 10D | 24mm | f/4.5 | 1/350 sec ISO-100

Name: Michael

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
The surreal landscapes of Utah's national parks were the backdrop for a photo adventure trip for our colleague Michael from product marketing. He chose our new (and well-reviewed, we might add) Photo Sport 200 AW backpack in vivid Lowepro Orange as his gear carrying option. The pics featured here were taken at Arches National Park near Moab, Utah…including one of Michael walking on top of the Double O arch.

Best photo tip: Wear a camera backpack that's lightweight and comfortable. That will make it easy to grab all of those awe-inspiring scenes.

Shooting Data: Nikon D60 | 24mm | f/8 | 1/250 sec ISO-100

Name: Joanne

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Not everyone has a human resources colleague who has passion for underwater macro photography. But we do. Joanne took these tropical shots in the Solomon Islands of Micronesia. How did she get them? First, she's an accomplished diver who uses buoyancy control to keep her hands free for camera work. Second, she stays with one creature—like an anemone fish—for a long time to get a composed shot. For these types of gear-intensive adventures, she brings a Pro Roller x200 to keep her equipment organized for travel and shooting.

Best photo tip: With underwater photography, you need to get very close; things appear 25% closer and about 33% larger than they actually are. For good color, especially at depth, you need to shoot with strobes.

Shooting Data: N90 w/Subal housing and dual Sea & Sea strobes| Kodak VS100 | f/22 | 1/60 sec

Name: Sam

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Everything about the outdoors fascinates us. And polar bears and their fate are of particular interest to Sam, our International Marketing Manager. She's worked with Polar Bears International (PBI) for years as Lowepro's sponsorship liaison—and the cause is near and dear to her. In the fall of 2010, Sam made her way up to Churchill in Manitoba, Canada for a Tundra Buggy® Adventure. Our "My Favorite Things" photo contest grand prize winner, Buchachon Petthanya of Bangkok, Thailand accompanied her. We love her candid portraits of these northern inhabitants: a red fox and a polar bear. She carried her rugged and ready Fastpack 350 and filled it with camera gear and a laptop.

Best photo tip: While composition is important, animals rarely sit still and pose. I shoot a ton of images in hopes of getting a handful of good ones.

Shooting Data: Canon REbel T1i | 92mm | f/6.3 | 1/160 sec

Name: Karli D.

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Trip to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Testing the Photo Sport Sling 100 AW.


Shooting Data: NIKON D90 | 105mm | f/3.5 | 1/60 sec

Name: Pete and Kendra

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Kendra and Pete, two intrepid colleagues from our Outdoor Adventure team, took an opportunity to learn how to work high-angle gigs from pro photographer Chris Noble. In this shot, Chris works out of his Lowepro Outback beltpack to catch Kendra on the route up at the Hellgate Cliffs, Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah.

Best photo tip: (Pete says) The best photos happen when weather conditions or events during a climb say it is more prudent to put the camera away. Keep it out and keep shooting. When things get stressful and the weather gets wild is when your get the most memorable shots.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 5D | 35mm | f/10 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 250

Name: Sadie

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Sadie, a member of our Creative Services and Outdoor Adventure team, wanted comfort, plus easy access as she and her climbing partner Maggie documented their approach through the Little Lakes Valley to Bear Creek Spire in Northern California's High Sierra mountains. This shot shows Sadie wearing the Photo Sport Sling 100 AW camera sling pack as she climbed to the spire's 13,700-foot summit.

Best photo tip: It's all about the lighting: maximize those early-morning and evening shots when the sun is low and more dramatic.

Shooting Data: Canon PowerShot G10 | 30mm | f/8 | 1/200 sec | ISO 80

Name: Ryan

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
A group of friends, including Ryan from our Product Development team, took a weekend trip up to Mammoth Mountain Bike Park for some serious, gravity-fueled downhill riding. In order to grab some of the action with his camera, Ryan used a lightweight and flexible set-up from Lowepro: the S&F Utility Bag 100 AW, S&F Technical Harness and a Toploader Pro 65 AW. He got this great shot when the group stopped mid-trail to blast through a long and high wooden wall ride.

Best photo tip: Shoot lots, travel far and always have fun. Nothing has broadened my perspective more then travel, and nothing has connected me on these journeys more then my camera in hand and a curious mind.

Shooting Data: NIKON D700 | 20mm | f/11 | 1/200 sec

Name: Rick

Category: Outdoor/Adventure

The Story:
Our wilderness-loving, camera-toting colleague Rick is the Category Manager for the Outdoor/Adventure team. He captured this shot at first light on Lake Alpine, just above Bear Valley in California's Alpine County. He was on the way to take wildflower photos in Woodchuck Basin and noticed this fisherman in the morning fog. Since he was carrying the Flipside 400 AW backpack, shifting plans and choosing the right lens was no problem—this pack fits a pro DSLR, plus 4-6 extra lenses and a flash.

Best photo tip: Stay flexible. You may walk out the door with one thing in mind and then the weather or light or some other variable changes. Stay flexible and be ready for anything!

Shooting Data: Nikon D3 | 200mm | f/9.5 | 1/350 sec

Name: Dan K.

Category: Urban/Event

The Story:
Our colleague Dan in Creative Resources has always had a passion for all things retro/vintage, especially classic cars. He's attended car shows since he was a teen, and (of course) brought along a camera to shoot his favorites. Over the years, he's accumulated quite a collection of photos, but noticed they all started looking very similar. That realization spoke to his graphic designer self. He now explores more interesting ways to capture the beautiful lines and unique details in these cars' designs. As you can see, elements like chrome and flared fenders catch his eye. Anything that looks cool! LP bag used for all shots: Classified Sling 180 AW.

Best photo tip: I feel that creative experimentation is what makes photography the most fun for me! Don't be afraid to take chances, learn what your camera can do and take advantage of it. Don't take five shots of something you love, take fifty you'd be surprised what you'll come up with!

Shooting Data: Canon EOS XTi| 47mm | f/5.6 | 1/500 sec | ISO 100

Name: Dano

Category: Urban/Event

The Story:
When he's not working as our web producer, Dano combines his passion for photography with his wife's career as a professional belly dancer. Capturing the motion, power and beauty of dancers in performance has become one of his favorite challenges in photography. These images from the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival represent some of his favorite shots of this unique art form. Dan carries his gear in a DSLR Video Fastpack 350 AW and a Classified 200 AW.

Best photo tip: You can never learn enough about your gear and how it functions in different environments. My most agonizing moments have come from fumbling with settings in a dark room resulting in missed shots. Spending the time to frequently re-acquaint yourself with features and menus will make you faster at making adjustments on the fly – and in the dark.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 50D | 145mm | f/2.8 | 1/00 sec. | ISO 1250

Name: Josh

Category: Urban/Event

The Story:
A passion for live music, exuberant fans and fresh air inspired Josh from our Creative Services and Urban-Event team to grab this image from the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. To capture the mood from different vantage points, he used the S&F Lens Exchange Case 200 AW and tested out some new gear.

Best photo tip: Shoot first, ask questions later.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | 16mm | f/5.6 | 1/250 sec | ISO 1250

Name: Suzanne

Category: Urban/Event

The Story:
Suzanne from our Photographer Relations team took the Passport Sling Passport Sling with her for a weekend full of family events. This intimate portrait of her son Joey was shot in her sister-in-law's living room during a birthday party. Cousins and kids all disappeared to the backyard when Joey looked up as if to ask, "Where did everyone go?" The next event: a wedding in Sonoma, California where the weather was perfect for a celebration. Suzanne captured memorable details of the scene, such as champagne gifts for attendees and vibrant, pink and green colored centerpieces.

Best photo tip: Don't be afraid to experiment with the settings of your camera. Go beyond automatic.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 5D | 70mm | f/4 | 1/10 sec | ISO 100

Name: Derrick

Category: Location/Studio

The Story:
Our incessant shooter and Lowepro Photo Evangelist Derrick Story photographed his workshop students as they learned to create an "environmental portrait" during class. The goal was to capture an interesting setting and a good shot of the subject. He brought along the flexible Pro Runner 300 AW, a great one-bag solution for photographers on the move. The setting: the Bodega Bay Lodge on the moody coast of Northern California.

Best photo tip: Even on overcast days when lighting is soft, reflectors or fill flash can help open up the eyes of your subject for a more flattering portrait.

Shooting Data: Canon EOS 60D | 35mm | f/8 | 1/180 sec

Name: Brendan

Category: Location (flash workshop)

The Story:
Brendan from our team down under in Australia took a bunch of gear in a Pro Roller x100 to a recent flash workshop. Working out of a rundown parking lot with an old classic car on hand, these shots were a fun way to play with all sorts of gear stashed inside the Pro Roller. Using off-camera flash, with filters and all sorts of fun stuff.

Best photo tip: Photos should be firstly for yourself, so see your vision and go for it unashamedly

Shooting Data: Nikon D5100 | 10mm | f/16 | 1/125 sec | ISO-100