Etsy Finds {Pretty Camera Bags}

Amazing! I had no idea there were so many options out there for fun, stylish camera bags. Yes, I mean besides throwing your camera in a super-fancy purse wrapped in a diaper/scarf/t-shirt. So, here is Part Two of the Camera Bag for Women list {etsy.com edition}. Find Part One here.

Janine King Designs carries laptop bags, iPad cases, purses and totes, as well as camera bags - all with many wonderful fabric choices. These camera bags are about 9"x9"x5" with a messenger-style strap.Fun, huh? I love that fabric choice. Don't worry if this one doesn't suit your fancy - she's got many more colorful options. Just go check out her shop. These are usually $70, but some are currently on sale for $60.

Gypsy Rose Handbags offers multiple sizes of Snugglens^TM camera bags - mini through large! So, if you're looking for a bag that will only hold your dSLR, or maybe even an advanced point-and-shoot - Gypsy Rose Handbags might have something for you. Again, these bags are messenger-style with colorful fabric flaps.
Above is "asian splendor" in the small/medium size - 9"x9"x5.5" - this should fit just a couple of lenses and your dSLR perfectly. I just love the snap closure to keep everything more secure:Isn't this mini one just adorable?

Gypsy Rose camera bags cost between $70-$120, depending on size. Check out this large version:
Is that not amazing? Look at all that stuff in there! This one is 15"x9"x5" and is a diaper bag/camera bag combo.

Martilena Handmade Bags sells laptop bags, camera bags, pouches, and even lens sleeves. Hmm. I might need some lens sleeves, just for fun.
The Slim Moxi bag runs 9"x8"x5" and is a messenger-style bag with a long, adjustable strap. There are three pockets on the exterior - two open slots in the back, one zippered under the flap in the front. These are custom-made bags, and you can choose any of the cotton print fabrics from eQuilter.com that are less than $10 per yard (there are a LOT of options). You can choose black, brown, charcoal, or bright red cordura fabric for the exterior, and you can choose the interior color as well.Here is the larger Meridian bag (10"x10"x7"):There are a few other size options, and these bags are priced between $55 and $95 each, depending on size.

Ketti Handbags does not currently have any camera bags listed, but I saw one the other day that was so fun I just had to save it as a favorite! These are also custom-made bags, so if you are interested, just send a message to the seller.

This bag is a purse-style bag, and so cute! It's 16"x11"x5" with three separate interior compartments, the center one large enough for a Canon 5d. Made of cotton upholstery fabric, this is not likely an especially water-resistant bag. Since this sold before I managed to write up my Etsy findings, I do not recall the price.

Xcess Rize Designs is yet another Etsy store with camera bag offerings! Jackie also sells yoga mat bags, Kindle/ebook Reader bags, as well as combo bags (camera & laptop!). Xcess Rize camera bags are messenger-style bags with customizable flaps and adjustable straps, ranging in price from $70 to $130.

Here is the small Hobo version (11"x9"x4" - $70). I like the fabric combination on this one (although I'm a bit concerned about that lens without a cover in the interior photo below - eek).

Here is the laptop/camera bag (18"x11"x5" - $130). It's crazy how much stuff you can cram in there, isn't it? I'm not sure I'd want to put my laptop in a bag with my camera and accessories, but it might be a great bag for a student who carries both often.


Xcess Rize Designs has medium-sized bags as well, if you're looking for something a bit smaller, and you don't need the bag to hold your laptop.

Would you believe that I used to carry my old SLR (pre-digital) in a small, soft-sided cooler? In fact, I bet the camera is still in that {purple} cooler.

But I Don't WANT an Ugly Camera Bag

Ok, so you don't want a camera bag that looks like you're toting a camera. I have one of those - I bought it back in 1994 or 1995 for my first SLR. I rarely carried it anywhere. I was a teen, and it was black, ugly, bulky, and looked like a camera bag. It was fine for storing my camera, but not so fine for actually carrying with me. I know - defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

I have to admit that my Epiphanie Bag purchase was an impulse buy. I didn't do much research before jumping at the chance to get in on the first round of these bags. But, like I said - I LOVE bags of all kinds. Sure, I like the one I got, but now I'm lusting after some of the other options. Here's what I've found out there (in case you're looking):

Epiphanie Bags - Here's a link to my last post on Epiphanie bags, since this post is loaded with photos without re-hashing. I still think these are great, fun, stylish bags. There are currently three options - Belle (aquamarine/blue-green), Ginger (brown), and Lola (red) - all are $165, but are slightly different sizes and styles. I must admit that I might have bought my bag mainly because I like Maile - and these bags are her babies.

*Emera Bags - Wow, these are really lovely! Love the black quilted tote option. If you're looking for something sleek, stylish, and more business-like - I would say this is a great option.

Check out how gorgeous that bag is! It's 15"x12"x7" with a 10.5" strap drop (which means it should work well on the shoulder, too, depending on how bulky the very top of the bag is).

This grey canvas version is also lovely. Slightly smaller than the quilted, it's 15"x11"x6."
I want to buy something from *emera just because of the above photo they have posted on their website gallery. Check out what they've stashed in the bag - I see a Holga in the center and a Polaroid packfilm camera on the left. Awesome. Ok, these bags are $169 for the Quilted, and $149 for the Canvas versions. Canvas comes in either grey or navy.

Kelly Moore Bag: These bags are stylish, but refined. Made out of water-resistant polyurethane, these have magnetic snap top closures. The strap is adjustable so it can be worn messenger-style or as a shoulder bag. These are 16"x11"x4" - so a bit tighter fit for your camera and lenses, but it is a less-bulky option than others. So many colors, too! Grey, black, brown, purple, fuchsia, cranberry croc or jade croc.Honestly, though, I am a little confused at the snap top closure, since I'd be even more concerned about the safety of my camera in a minor drizzle of rain. I know - zippers aren't fool-proof, either. The Kelly Moore bag is $199, for pre-order shipping in May.

Jo Totes - These are a much less expensive option, at $79 each. At 14 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 4 3/4" these totes are also fairly compact. Current color options are black, olive, or scarlet, and these are high-quality faux leather. So, again - none of these options are leather (including the Epiphanie).

Jo Totes have a zip top closure, a removable cross-body strap, as well as shoulder straps (drop length is not given, but it looks about 10" or so). I really love the fun interior fabric designs on these! Despite being less expensive than the others, they have a simple, classic look.

jill e. designs - A few years ago I discovered these leather camera bags and thought they were absolutely lovely. I really loved the small red leather bag - and these are still ok. These, however, look like camera bags to me. Or really boxy purse-like things. jill e. has both leather ($170, small; $240, medium) and nylon camera bag options ($139).

The small camera bags are 14"x7"x8" - short and bulky. The medium bags are 14"x9.5"x8." Below is the red medium leather bag with an interior shot. I am not a fan of this particular design, to be honest. The pink patent small, shown above, is so much cuter! I'm not big on pink, but it's really cute. I especially like the brown straps with the pink patent.



If you need a bright color for spring, consider the jill e. small yellow nylon bag. Isn't it adorable?

If you are looking for a small bag, you might want to consider the Acme bowler bag, available through Amazon or Photojojo. It's 6.25" x 7" x 3.5" - and no, it's not a shoulder bag.


Photojojo also has their new camera bag - the Sloop, which is certainly fun, although definitely not something that looks professional. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, by the way! Fun stripes have their place, indeed. If you're looking for something fun, check out the Sloop for sure.

I have also heard there are inserts you can get for your own tote bag - I can't find the link for the ones I looked at the other day, though. Let me know if you know where to buy those.

Phew! So, if you're looking for a beautiful camera bag, those are a few places to start. I hope this helps you wonderful, stylish photographers out there!

***please note that the photographs used here are from each of the above websites - they are not mine. (except that first photo of my very own Ginger Epiphanie bag with my SX-70 land camera, of course).

Check Out: Epiphanie Camera Bags

I know I promised my first thoughts on my new camera bag:


This is Ginger. I haven't used it much yet, and I am not a professional photographer, but it is lovely! In fact, I'm a bit concerned about how much it looks like my real purse (which is a Cole Haan from who knows what year that I scored on eBay). The Epiphanie bag is synthetic, rather than real, leather, but is plenty soft to the touch. Does it feel exactly like leather? Not like my other purse, no. The zippers are not quite as smooth as the Cole Haan, and I do like a good zipper.
One of my major pet peeves is dark-colored interiors. As you might glimpse above, the interior is a lovely bright shade of blue. My other purse? Yeah, not so much - it's dark brown and so difficult to see inside. Ginger has some really fun zipped pockets along both ends - I just LOVE the extra pockets.

What else is great? It isn't especially heavy (leather can be very heavy, not always a great thing with a heavy dSLR, don't you think?), even with my camera and three lenses inside. The straps on Ginger are long enough to hold the bag on your shoulder, even with the width of the bag (a full 8" wide at the base). There is a long shoulder strap included, and so far, I really like being able to carry the bag with the extra strap.

Lola (red) and Belle (teal) are the other two models available right now. Belle is very awkward to carry on the shoulder due to the smaller straps (a true handbag, can be worn on the forearm), however the long shoulder strap can be used across the body. I love the details on Belle, the color is so fun, but I personally like the versatility of Ginger and the way it feels on my shoulder. Much easier for me to carry. I don't want to always need the cross-body strap.

I'm thinking of doing a video review to better show off the bags and show you how they compare to my regular purse, and maybe even my ancient Tamrac camera bag!