The new Event Messenger 250 is designed for urban photographers carrying an enthusiast DSLR, accessories, laptop, and/or a tablet. If you haven’t had a good look at it, here’s a 30-second overview with Lowepro’s own Jen recorded at WPPI, Las Vegas.

Most shooters think the bag looks great. But my view is that its more subtle features are what really separate it from the pack. For example, it has a dual action “quiet mode” and “secure mode” flap, similar to its bigger brother, the Pro Messenger, but implemented a bit differently.

Flap set for quiet mode.

In “quiet mode,” the hook-and-loop fastener strip on the inside of the flap is folded over so it doesn’t stick to the mate on the main body of the bag. When configured like this, you can open and close the bag silently, allowing you to work unnoticed. If you want more security, use the buckle to close the Messenger with confidence.

Flap set for secure mode.

Now, for those times you want to secure your gear without using the buckle, open up the hook-and-loop fastener on the inside of the flap so it exposes the “hooks” that will stick to mate on the body of the bag. The flap will now stay closed, but can be opened faster than with the buckle when you need to reach for your camera.

Also designed into the Event Messenger are the flexible storage options for your laptop (13″) or tablet. There’s a padded sleeve on the inside of the bag for extra protection when traveling. Or you can use the pocket on the back of the bag for quick access while working.

Back of Event Messenger with pocket.

The Event Messenger is an affordable ($79), clever solution for photographers who want to work and travel discretely in urban environments.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

One of the coolest features in the Lowepro booth at WPPI 2012 is the pair of airline overhead storage compartments installed with our Pro Roller display. These are standard US airline overheads. I’ve seen larger versions on the bigger jets, and slightly smaller renditions on the commuter planes, such as the one I flew from Santa Rosa, CA to Las Vegas.

For those of you who can’t come see us in person, I put together this short video with Lowepro’s own Robb Stites, who oversees the marketing of these rollers. Robb shows how easily both models of the Pro Roller Lite AW Series fit in a standard overhead compartment.

I mentioned that I flew to Las Vegas on one of those small commuter planes, and I was able to fit the Pro Roller Lite 150 AW in the overhead compartment for that flight. In it, I have a DSLR body, lenses, a micro four thirds system, flash, audio recorder, microphones, and even a tripod (yes, the tripod is inside the bag). Everything I needed to record and edit this video, plus the gear I need for other assignments while working at WPPI.

I hope the overhead compartments become a standard feature in the Lowepro booth. Maybe you’ll be able to take them for a spin one day.

Derrick Story is the Lowepro Photography Evangelist.

We’ve had so much fun working with the some photographers from SmugMug San Diego. A SmugMug User Group (SMUG) is a mug-to-mug gathering of photographers.

A SMUG is a place where you can learn, teach and meet up with other photographers who share a passion for photography. SMUGs are a great way to connect with other local photographers. With groups from Hawaii to London, SMUGs are all over the world.

A few months ago, we asked them to test a few products out for us and let us know what they thought. So, we gave them a handful of bags from our new line, the Event Messenger Series and what we got back was so much more than what we expected. The feedback was invaluable, the images were spectacular, the video was fantastic and the lasting relationship is priceless.

Make sure to check out the great work done by the participating photographers, Jason de Alba, Angela Powell Wolfe, Andrea Garvin, Tracy vanDam, and David Crewe.

Robert Beck sent us these fabulous images straight from Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado where he is covering the 16th annual Winter X Games. More than 200 of the world’s best athletes in skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling take part in this four-day competition.

Check out these photos: a shot from the men’s slopestyle elimination, plus one of Robert with his gear—that’s a Pro Runner 450 AW backpack in the foreground) one of his Lowepro go-to bags).

Robert’s impressions of covering this event? He shares them here.

“All work and no play! The X Games are all about long days. We start at 9am and get home at 11pm. We got about ten inches of snow Thursday night and it’s a beautiful morning today. The games are almost a sensory overload—there’s always something going on. Shooting guys hucking mega ramps on skis? Shooting guys doing flips on snow mobiles?
Yes. So much action. So little time!”

© Derrick Story

One thing that I constantly struggle with is how to store my photography gear and stay organized at the same time. Like many photographers, I find that space is always at a premium in the office.

A tip that I’ve found helpful is to organize my gear in a  rolling case or a stackable shoulder bag. This is an efficient way to manage my gear. I don’t give up too much space, yet I know where every item is.

For large amounts of gear, I use a combination of the Pro Roller x200, Pro Roller x100 and the Magnum 400 AW.  Not only do these bags store everything I need–from camera bodies to multiple lenses–they also help me keep my memory card wallets, hard drives, cables, chargers, light, modifiers, and other necessary items organized effectively.

© Derrick Story

Then I have my “field bags” – the ones I take out for the day. I just grab whatever I need for the day(s) I’m going out shooting, and pack accordingly. My current favorite is the Pro Messenger 200 AW.

For longer assignments, I can also quickly take my Pro Roller x200, already packed and ready to go, and head straight to the airport.

A demonstration of Lowepro's patented weather cover by our colleague Dan at Imaging USA

Our photo specialty colleague Dan demonstrates the built-in All Weather AW Cover™ feature on our new Pro Messenger AW series at the Imaging USA show in New Orleans this week.

Is this a man who knows his Lowepro gear? Yes, as you can see by the other pro products (like a full S&F Series modular set-up) he’s demo-ing at this annual show. If you’re there, please stop by and say hello. We’re at booth 1211.

Follow us on Twitter to get quick news on show highlights.

On my flight to Las Vegas to cover the CES 2012 event, I booked a seat on Bombardier Q400, so I could use my local airport instead of driving 90 minutes to San Francisco International. The tradeoff is that the Q400 is a much smaller plane than those servicing SFO. The overhead compartments are particularly tight.

I decided to go with my most powerful carry-on companions: the Pro Messenger 200 AW and the Pro Roller Lite 150 AW. Both fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment of the 60-seat Bombardier Q400.

To give you an idea of how compact the Pro Roller Lite 150 AW is, here’s a shot of it in the standard US Airline “carry-on luggage check,” and you can see that there’s room to spare. But room to spare here doesn’t mean that it fits in the overhead of a smaller plane. Fortunately, in the case of the Roller Lite 150 AW, it does fit.

Inside of the Pro Roller Lite 150 AW, I have two DSLR bodies and a Olympus PEN. Plus it holds flash, 5 lenses, my iPad, accessories, and more. I put my MacBook Air in the front pocket during travel in an Acme Made sleeve.

I put all of my clothes in the Pro Messenger 200 AW. When I arrive at my destination, I put the personal belongings in the hotel dresser, then load up the photo gear I need for the day in the shoulder bag. I keep the roller locked up in the hotel room. I like to bring a bike cable lock so I can secure it to a stationary object.

I just spent 3 days working in Las Vegas with this combination. I’ve written articles, published photographs, and managed to have a nice meal or two. I love the option of traveling light, but still having the gear I need to get my job done.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.