I’m writing this article in early February 2026, and it’s coming a day after I spoke on the phone with the Phoblographer’s Gear Editor, Feroz Khan. We were talking about how photographers can be afraid on thieves coming for them because they think you’ve got a camera bag around them. We’ve had much different experiences. Where Feroz has been approached, I’ve never even been touched. In 20 years of being a photographer and journalist, I’ve never had anyone try to try the contents of my camera bag. And here are some tips that you should consider instead of relying solely on the camera bag’s design.
A lot of what I’m saying may sound harsh to you, but it’s really just straight facts.
Are you ready?
No one will come to steal from you if you’re really just constantly aware of your surroundings and you’re adjusting your body language accordingly.
No one will come to steal your camera bag from you if you don’t do anything unsafe or stupid.
No one will steal your camera bag from you if you’re in a group when you go to make photographs, and you’re all looking out for one another.
No one will steal your camera bag from you if you keep it close by and it’s always touching your body.
Are you in a big city that you’ve never been in before? Cool! Enjoy your time and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
I say this as a legally blind man who has lived in a big city my entire life. If you think a situation could be even a bit dangerous, get out of it immediately.
There are many situations where I’ve walked around cities known for photographers getting their gear stolen and I can tell you from experience that the world is really not as dangerous at you think if you make safe decisions.
Think about this: are you in the middle of the forest alone at night? Why? Why would you not have someone with you for safety reasons? What if a wolf pack or a group of people with guns roll up on you? Why would you not make a safe decision in the first place but instead put yourself in a situation where you and your camera gear are at risk?
Are you photographing something happening in a city? Cool. Shoot single frames instead of shooting in continuous bursts. And every now and again pull your eye away from the viewfinder and check your surroundings.
There’s a certain point where I believe that all photographers have to stop blaming the gear that they’re using. Most people these days don’t use cameras and therefore won’t even know what a camera bag is.
Here’s the final truth: you can walk around with a Leica camera around your neck and no one will have interest in it because it’s a film camera. And if you know how to defend yourself and actively train to do so, you’re going to be in better shape than most people.