Rick Saez, Lowepro category/product manager, just returned from a trek to South Lake Tahoe to meet with a group of pros. His goal? Feedback about bag design. Here’s his report.

“I was fortunate to spend some time this past weekend in South Lake Tahoe with a group of photographers and videographers talking shop,” writes Rick. (“Yes, there was a bit of skiing too.”)

“I want to thank Corey Rich for gathering this impressive group. We had a great time in the CRP office reviewing bags and gear. I can’t divulge all the good stuff we discussed because I don’t want to give away any secrets, but we worked up some very good ideas.”

“As a bonus, I received terrific feedback on current products we have in the design pipeline. Thanks specifically to the Vail crew — Rex and Mike; Tahoe locals Chris, Dane, and Rachid; and Preta and Avery… our two pooch helpers! The photographers and videographers I met with are affiliated with Novus Select; thanks to them for making these pros available. It means a lot to have their support as we build new products.”

“It’s valuable to work in the field and see firsthand how our products are used. Some of us in the office are hobby photographers, so whenever we have the opportunity to meet with pros, we jump at the chance. These professionals make their living shooting and traveling. Seeing how they pack, organize, and even modify our bags is great. Thanks guys!”

Congrats to our Grand Prize Winner, Brandon Carey, who scores a GoPro Hero inside a Photo Hatchback 16L.

The Dashpoint 30 winners are as follows:

mike gionta
Matthew Hofbauer
Mike Thiesen
Grace (gracemok)
Jack Caughey
Patrick Letourneau
Glenn Fajota
Jeremy Nesemeier
Curtis Lu
Louis Amore
Mike (penguin)
Mike (mvargash)
Dustin (moonbuck)
Matt Everett
heather (hgtempaddy)
Ronald van Kooten
Rupert Lambert
Josh Evans
Randall Cipriano
Neil Leventhal
Josiah Brubaker
Brent Johnston
Jeff Treft
Paul Carter

We’ll contact all of you soon to get your shipping information. And thanks to everyone who participated.

Surf’s up in Northern California for the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Twenty-four top surfers will compete for prizes and bragging rights.

We know many of our photographers love adventure too. So we’ve arranged for Sports Illustrated shooter Robert Beck to post images from the event on the Lowepro Instagram page. You can keep track of Robert and all the action by following “Loweprobags” on Instagram.

But wait… There’s more!

We want to help you capture your own “Maverick” action too. So we’re giving away 24 Dashpoint 30 adventure pouches (perfect for a GoPro) – that’s one for each of the 24 surfers competing in the event. Plus, one lucky adventurer will receive the grand prize of a Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L with a GoPro Hero White camera inside.

To participate, answer this question in the comments below: “Maverick surfers are extreme athletes for sure! What activity would you use the Dashpoint, Photo Hatchback, or GoPro camera for?” Increase your chance to win by helping us spread the word. Send this tweet from your own Twitter account: “@Lowepro is giving away @GoPro camera and #PhotoHatchback http://blog.lowepro.com/?p=6941″

Giveaway void where prohibited. Comments must be submitted to this post by 11:59 PM PST, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. Those selected for prizes will need to provide a shipping address and phone number. All results are final. Lowepro is not affiliated with the Mavericks Invitational or with GoPro.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

The Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L AW is my travel companion while covering CES in Las Vegas, NV. Even though I often use this versatile backpack for outdoor trips, it has a number of features that I love for city life too. One in particular is the removable camera box.

I store my Olympus OM-D and PEN mini camera bodies, plus 5 lenses, in the padded compartment with storm-flap closure and grab handles. During work hours at the trade show, I can easily access all of my gear. But once the day is over, I like to work with just the PEN mini and a prime lens for street shooting, leaving the rest of my equipment back in the hotel room. This is where I put that removable camera box to use.

I take the camera box out of the Photo Hatchback, with the balance of my equipment stored inside, and then secure the entire unit in the hotel safe. I don’t have to unpack the bag and fool around with individual components, because everything is already organized within the removable compartment. I’m just temporarily relocating it.

I can literally do this on my way out the door. It only takes seconds. Once I return, I unlock the safe and put the camera box back in the Photo Hatchback, and I’m ready to go back to work.

Here’s a short movie that details this entire process.

This feature has saved me a great deal of time. In the past, I had to take out individual components from my camera bag, figure out how to arrange them in the safe, then move them back. It was a real hassle. The Photo Hatchback has changed all of that.

Plus, once the camera box is removed from the Photo Hatchback, it’s a fully functional backpack that can be used for recreational activity. Bottom line, this camera bag is just as wonderful in the city as it is on the trail.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

This is it! The final gift of our “12 Days of Giving” is the versatile Photo Hatchback 16L AW.

To participate in the giveaway, just post a comment below stating your favorite holiday memory. We’ll randomly choose one of those memories on Wednesday, Dec. 26, then send that person the Photo Hatchback. (Void where prohibited.)

And thanks to you for being a part of the Lowepro community in 2012. We’re looking forward to a great 2013!

Adorama has joined the Lowepro 12 Days of Giving by adding an Olympus Tough TG-320 camera to Day 9. Combined with the Dashpoint 30, you have a great outdoor package for any weather condition, even in the water!

To participate in the giveaway, just post a comment below stating the destination where you’d like to take the TG-320 and Dashpoint for photography. We’ll randomly choose one of those comments on Saturday, Dec. 22, then send that person the camera and bag.

A hearty thanks to Adorama for their wonderful contribution to the 12 Days of Giving.

Giveaway void where prohibited.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

How photographers use Lowepro Pro Messenger AW Series bags are as unique as the shooters themselves. Here are three different artists who trust the Pro Messenger AW to protect their gear, with highlights about their favorite aspects of the bag.

Brian Smith

“Nothing beats updating a classic, so I love how Lowepro’s new Pro Messenger AW bags were able to create old school classic canvas feel from the latest space age spun polyester slate gray fabric – which is total 007 stuff like a great grey flannel suit that’s also bullet-proof…” from his post, Cool Gear: Lowepro Pro Messenger Camera Bags.

Ashley Forrette

“You can fit a ton of gear in this tiny little bag. I can pack in a 35mm, 50mm, 45mm tilt shift, flash, and a Canon Mark III body with a 85mm lens on it. Amazing. It looks great. It’s clean and simple, and there are no huge visible logos screaming out that it’s a camera bag.” from her post, A review of the Lowepro Pro Messenger AW Series Bag.

Gary Coronado

“The bag is small enough for it to be inconspicuous when you do your street photography, but, make no mistake, this bag has a huge capacity! Even my longest lens, the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 lens is no match!” from his post, Lowepro Pro Messenger 180 Review.

Your Pro Messenger

So, what’s your favorite feature on the Pro Messenger AW?

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.