When everything feels right

When your gear feels right, your work goes more smoothly. This idea inspired the design of our new Pro Messenger AW series, launching worldwide today and live at PPE in NYC. Its durable, yet soft exterior is reminiscent of classic canvas, but it’s actually a modern performance fabric. It’s built to fit pro-sized camera gear in configurations you’ve told us work best. And it has an innovative flap that effortlessly folds in half to quiet your moves and quicken your pace.

But don’t just take our word for it. Watch Australian pro shooter Jack Atley’s day out with the Pro Messenger AW in Sydney, Australia and get highlights of the three-bag series. And read pro photographer Catherine Hall’s review of this new and discreet messenger in her blog.

There’s more to come on our new Pro Messenger AW. So stay tuned.

For a bag that looks so comfortable and blends in with the urban environment, the new Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 AW includes a lot of features. I’ve created two short movies that will help you decide if this “high-tech-retro” bag is for you.

First, here’s an overview that shows the basic features.

Now, since I shoot often with the 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom on camera body, I thought you might like to see an alternative way to pack the 200 AW. In this case, I use one of the dividers to create a false bottom. In all honesty, this is just one of the numerous ways you can configure this bag.

There are two other models in the Pro Messenger family. You can learn about the entire line up by visiting lowepro.com, or by stopping by the Lowepro booth at PhotoPlus Expo.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

We’re thrilled to be an episode sponsor of the upcoming Chase Jarvis LIVE show on Wednesday, October 26. Chase will host his first-ever live studio audience in Seattle for an event that’s bound to inspire you with great music, interviews, special guests and yes, prizes…prizes that may well include something amazingly cool from Lowepro.

Mark your calendar, set your smartphone alarm or jot down a reminder note. The show airs at 11am PDT. You won’t want to miss photographer, director and all-around cool web host Chase Jarvis and his special October 26 event.

We have a new area on Lowepro.com called Your Video & Photos. Our nickname for it is Lowepro Inspired. And if you look at the images on the page, you’ll see why. Photographers from all over the world are sharing pictures of them with their Lowepro bags. Makes me want to pack up and head somewhere right now.

To help get this page on everyone’s radar, we thought a promotion was in order. It’s this week’s twist on Free Bag Friday. Here’s how it works:

• Submit a photo with a Lowepro bag in the composition to Your Video & Photos.
• Each image you submit, if approved, will enter you in a drawing to win a brand new Lowepro product.
• The prize is a pro-level bag that will be announced at Photo Plus Expo the week of Oct. 24, 2011.
• You can submit up to 3 photos for this promotion, giving you 3 chances to win.
• Include the bag type (eg. Fastpack 250, SlingShot 102 AW, etc.) in the caption box.
• Images already posted on the Lowepro Facebook page are eligible, but must be submitted again on the Your Video & Photos page to be included in this promotion.
• The deadline for participation is midnight PST, Oct, 31, 2011 (Happy Halloween).
• We will announce the winning entry the week of Oct. 31, 2011.
• This promotion is void where prohibited by regional laws.

Oh, and I guess I’ve just spilled the beans that there will be a new product announcement next week…

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Elizabeth Taylor and Hugh Jackman. Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas. Joan Chen and Steve Martin. These stars—and scores more—have had their images captured by the award-winning fine arts, film and celebrity photographer Douglas Kirkland.

He’s worked on more than 100 films and his iconic celebrity portraits are known all over the world. One of his methods for success is cultivating a unique rapport with each of his subjects. Read about his career start, on-set adventures and the Lowepro bags he uses on assignments in our profile.

It was our extreme pleasure to have celebrity portrait and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Smith visit our offices yesterday. In the San Francisco area for a lecture and workshop, he stopped by to chat about his artistic approach, workflow and unique style of studio photography.

His new book has just launched: Art & Soul: Stars Unite to Celebrate and Support the Arts. The book is a collaborative project between Smith and Robin Bronk, chief executive officer of The Creative Coalition, a non-profit public charity that promotes arts advocacy. In it, celebrities from film, music, television and theater sit for portraits and share personal stories about the impact of the arts on their lives.

We think it’s a great holiday (or anytime) gift idea to inspire a new photographer or up-and-coming artist on your list.

You won’t want to miss our October webinar with professional photographer Jack Atley from Australia. He’ll share advice on how to produce award-winning shots and answer your questions about photography and the industry. We promise you’ll appreciate his engaging style. Sign up soon before the attendee list fills up.

Our Lowepro webinar takes place twice on Wednesday, October 19. Sign up now for the 4 to 5pm or 8 to 9pm Pacific Daylight Time session at our registration page. It’s time to get in on a few Secrets to Award-Winning Photography. Enjoy!