Portrait photographers need quality bags to carry their gear in as well, so here are some of our favorites.
If you own a camera, then you are likely asked to do portraits from time to time, regardless of whether or not you do them professionally. You may have a successful portrait photography business, or maybe you just have a passion for them as a hobby. Whatever your purpose for shooting portraits is, the fact is that you are going to need a solid bag to carry your kit in.
Today, we wanted to highlight some of our top camera/gear bag picks with portrait photographers in mind. As well, if you have a big photography kit or a small photography kit, it makes no difference. We will have options below that appeal to a wide variety of portraits photographers with varying amounts of gear.
So, if you are ready, let’s get into it…
Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L
Why you should consider it for your portrait photography: The Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L is an excellent choice for those who are set on a backpack style bag but looking for something stylish and fashionable while remaining functional and easy to use on the job. As the name implies, this bag is very versatile, so you can also use it for your school or work bag, should you desire. We think the 20L is more suited for portrait photography, but you could also go with the larger 30L if you need the extra room.
What we had to say about the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L in our review:
“While the search for “THE” perfect camera backpack may never truly be over, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack certainly comes pretty damn close thanks to its top notch build quality, adaptability, and usability. The Everyday Backpack stands up to the daily abuses working photographers face living in an urban environment with ease, while holding its own when traveling or being caught in inclement weather without breaking a sweat. Since I began this real-world review of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, it has consistently been my top pick whenever fellow photographers have solicited me for camera backpack recommendations. The only deciding factor is whether you’ll need the larger 30L or the more compact 20L, and which colorway suits your fancy. There may be more stylish camera backpacks on the market but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I value function over form every day of the week when it comes to professional gear.” (Read the full review)
You can currently grab them over on Amazon for around $260.
Hawkesmill Sloane Street Camera Bag
Why you should consider it for your portrait photography: Backpack style bags are not the be all end all for portrait photographers, and if you are the type who prefers a briefcase or messenger style bag then the Hawkesmill Sloan is going to be a bag you want to have a look at. It can carry plenty of gear for a standard portrait shoot and it looks great if you want to use it for other things too.
What we had to say about the Hawkesmill Sloane Street Camera Bag in our review:
“There’s a lot to like with the Hawkesmill Sloane Street camera bag. It’s the single best made messenger bag out there. It’s handsome, has a lot of security, uses nickel instead of brass, has lots of room, lots of padding, a comfortable shoulder strap, a solid suitcase handle, pockets, more pockets, and overall it makes someone not think that you have a camera bag and instead easy for one to think that you’ve just got a really nice briefcase.“ (Read the full review)
You can currently grab one over on their website for around $760.
WANDRD PRVKE 21
Why you should consider it for your portrait photography: The WANDRD PRVKE is an excellent choice for portrait photographers, especially those who often find themselves traveling a lot or shooting in remote locations where other bags wouldn’t be up to the task. So if you’re one of those photographers who takes your clients out into the middle of nowhere for some epic mountain backdrops, this is the bag for you.
What we had to say about the WANDRD PRVKE in our review:
“When the Kickstarter launched, it was very aggressively marketed to be the only backpack that the traveling photographer needs. To that end, the PRVKE pack has loads of space, dividers, expandability, features that try to turn it into a tote bag, and other features that makes a whole lot of sense when used during actual travel. In fact, I’ve taken it on two press trips and many a shoot. For the most part, WANDRD has created the perfect camera bag for photographers.” (Read the full review)
You can currently grab them over on Amazon for around $290.
Tenba Cooper 13″ Slim
Why you should consider it for your portrait photography: Another great option for those who aren’t into the backpack look, or who don’t need to carry a boatload of gear, the Tenba Cooper 13″ slim is a great choice that looks good and has room for what you need to take with you.
What we had to say about the Tenba Cooper 13″ Slim in our review:
“For the past couple of years, I’ve been in search of my own camera bag that really suits me and my needs. I’ve spent hours on Amazon looking for cheap leather or canvas bags that I could modify myself to become a camera bag, and no one has really gotten it just right. The closest company for years was ONA, but even then they didn’t quite make it. At one point, I ever considered approaching a company about building a bag. When it comes to a messenger style camera bag designed for the working pro using mirrorless camera gear, this is the only camera bag that you’ll ever need. Again, it’s stylish, comfortable, low profile, and it gets the job done. Though I may not carry it around when using lots of DSLR gear, most of my kit is mirrorless and for that this bag will always remain close to me and will constantly be reached for.” (Read the full review)
You can currently grab them over on Amazon for around $230.
ONA Prince Street
Why you should consider it for your portrait photography: ONA bags have always been beautiful bags and a popular choice for portrait photographers who want to carry their gear in style. These bags aren’t cheap, but they are functional and show off a level of refinement and luxury that can really work well for a portrait photographer who has branding along these lines.
What we had to say about the ONA Prince Street in our review:
“ONA has always created beautiful and simplistic camera bags. And today’s announcement of the Leather Price Street is no exception to their award winning lineup. Designed for street photographers and those with a more mobile/guerilla oriented shooting style, we’re sure that any shooter would wear this bag with pride.” (Read the full review)
You can currently grab them the ONA website for $389.