Photographer Profile: Briana Morrison

Timeless. That’s the first word that comes to mind when looking at photos by Briana Morrison, a photographer and aspiring writer in Chico, CA. I first learned about Briana through her blog TheDizzyPixie.com and was excited, and admittedly envious, when I read about one of her upcoming projects, A Polaroid Adventure In Marrakesh, Morocco.

Briana learned about ONA through Pinterest, one of our latest obsessions. “I had been searching for the perfect bag for a while, one that screams ‘I’m an artist!’ and yields a certain tactile quality that only leather can give,” she says. “I love how well made my bag is because I don’t have to worry that a seam is going to rip out if I load it up with all my favorite lenses and film. But, honestly, the thing I love most about the Brooklyn is how beautiful it looks!”

My photo story started much like everyone else’s; I discovered photography while I was a senior in high school when my grandma gave me her 35mm Nikon 2020. I lost sight of this interest when I went to college until 2 years later when I was going through a tough time. I decided to do something for myself so I enrolled in a photography class. At that point my entire universe switched directions and I spent the next 4 years studying fine art photography.

Though I started with a 35mm Nikon 2020 my gear obsession has significantly grown. I still have a strong love for film and use it for all of my personal work. My Sx-70 is my virtual camera child and my Minolta X-570 and Mamiya 645 aren’t far behind.

For my professional work I use a Nikon D700 and I absolutely love it! I am working on incorporating film into my professional work as well so my arms are always loaded with more cameras than a smart woman would juggle. But that’s just how I roll.

I like to photograph a wide variety of things but my current interest is to shoot everyday life in a wholesome tactile way, deriving inspiration from Kinfolk‘s beautiful videos on how to bake bread or make pesto from scratch. In this digital age, there is something very comforting in the tactile processes of every day existence. In addition to everyday life I am fairly obsessed with taking cat portraits and helping women document their powerful, beautiful bodies with boudoir photography.

My most memorable photography experiences won’t sound like much to the outside world but hold a dear place in my heart. Throughout my relationship with my now fiancé, I have had the pleasure of teaching him the wonders of photography and, more specifically, film.

On occasion when the light is right or we are in need of a good jaunt outside the house, Andrew and I will go on photo adventures with a car full of cameras, film, and hiking boots. These are some of my favorite times to be a photographer because I get to share my passion with the person I love.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Jeff Harris: 4,748 Self-Portraits and Counting

During a time of year when so many folks are starting 365 photo projects, we found this video of Jeff Harris’s unique self-portrait-a-day project particularly inspiring. Check it out.

Jeff Harris: 4,748 Self-Portraits and Counting from We Know Music on Vimeo.

Fancy Cameras Deserve Fancy Camera Bags

Did you get a fancy new camera for the holidays? Awesome! No clue what to do with it? Not so awesome. Be sure to check out this piece from Gizmodo, which offers succinct, practical advice on everything from lenses to shooting modes to… you guessed it, camera bags. Thanks, Gizmodo, for linking to ONA’s messengers and backpacks. If you got a new camera for the holidays, we’d love to hear what kind and what you’re most excited about shooting in 2012.

Journey to Switzerland | Putting the Camps Bay Backpack to Work

A few weeks ago we spent seven lovely days traveling throughout Switzerland. We began the journey in Geneva and made our way to Zermatt, Bern, Lucerne, and Zurich. We had an amazing time ambling past the postcard-perfect lakes and castles, enjoying gooey fondu, admiring the ancient architecture, and even skiing the Swiss Alps.

Of course I had my camera and ONA bag in tow. As you’ll see in some of the photos below, the Camps Bay accompanied me on the Alps, in a helicopter ride above the Matterhorn, on several train rides… pretty much everywhere during the trip. For those who are curious, it also fit perfectly in overhead compartments and even beneath the seats on the plane rides. I only carried my DSLR and three lenses for this trip, so I had a ton of room in the bag for personal items, which was perfect since I usually prefer traveling light.

Here are a few photos from the trip. Have you traveled with your ONA bag recently? If so, we’d love to profile you and see photos from your travels. Just shoot us an email at customercare (at) onabags.com.

Photographer Profile: Cat Jones

Cat Jones digs details. You can see it in the way she photographs her garden. And you can see it in her choice of camera bag — the chestnut Brooklyn satchel. An avid gardener, Cat set out “to create a fluid, real time journal” of her garden on her blog, thewhimsicalgardener. “It amazes me how much of our world goes unnoticed,” Cat says.  “And with macro photography and beautiful, natural light I can capture and reveal secret moments that happen daily in my garden.”

Using her Nikon D7000 and, most often, an AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8, Cat is always on the lookout for the next great shot. “My heart is full when I spy some little critter, a bird, a lizard or the late slant of afternoon light on a golden leaf.  When I capture that magical quality of light, I’m elated!”

We’re elated that Cat is enjoying using her Brooklyn satchel as she captures these and other special moments. “I love everything about my bag! It’s made of beautiful, durable leather…It is roomy enough to tuck my wallet, phone, keys and lip gloss into along with my camera and lenses, allowing me to carry only one bag. All in all, it’s just a gorgeous and functional camera bag.”

Ready for some deliciously detailed photography? Check out a few of Cat’s photos below.

From Me To You: The Traveling Camera Bag + Giveaway

During their recent travels, Jamie Beck and Kevin Berg of From Me To You put their new Camps Bay camera and laptop backpack to use, and today Jamie posted a gorgeous display of photos. You’ve gotta see this. Isn’t it so lovely? But then, aren’t all of the photos on their blog? They’re just the best…

And as if the post and photos weren’t awesome enough, Jamie is hosting a giveaway where you can win any ONA bag of your choice! Check out how to enter the giveaway here, or click the photo below for details.  Thanks again Jamie and Kevin, and good luck to all! UPDATE 11/28: The winner of the giveaway is Jennifer Teeter. Congrats Jennifer!

Paperie Boutique: Venice Bag Giveaway

Our fabulous friends at Paperie Boutique are hosting a giveaway for one of our new Venice camera bags! Make sure to check it out and get the details on how to enter here. Also be sure to take some time to peruse their site for cool packaging ideas, photography tips, contests and products. UPDATE 11/28: The winner of the giveaway is J. Stuart. Congrats!

Engadget: Camps Bay Backpack Review

This weekend, Engadget offered an awesome review of our new Camps Bay backpack. “Ona has managed to construct an absolutely beautiful bag that easily houses a 17-inch MacBook Pro (with ample padding, if you’re curious), up to seven or eight lenses, a full-frame DSLR and a few other things you may not think to normally make room for.” Many thanks to Darren Murph, Engadget’s Managing Editor, for the post! Click here to read the full review.

Petapixel: Camps Bay Backpack Giveaway

Have you had your eye on our new Camps Bay camera and laptop backpack? Petapixel is giving one away this week! Click here for details on how to enter. And hurry; the contest ends on November 4. Good luck!