Hot New Photography Products for Taking, Editing, and Displaying Your Photos
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - we're living in the golden age of photography.
And that's true for many reasons.
Naturally, the cameras, lenses, and other photography accessories we have at our disposal today are better than ever. That makes creating breathtaking images easier than ever before.
Secondly, cameras are so ubiquitous now that photography is an incredibly accessible hobby. Smartphones, in particular, have introduced photography to more people in the last decade than in the previous 100 years, and that's a good thing!
But it's also a great time for photography because there are cutting-edge gadgets that assist us in taking photos, editing photos, and displaying photos. The entire process from start to finish has been innovated, giving you and I a chance to create some truly stunning stuff.
Here's three of the best photography products I've come across in the last few weeks that certainly warrant your attention.
Sony RxO Camera
For starters, this camera is delightfully small, making it a fantastic option for on-the-go photographers that want something that's more capable of capturing images and video than their mobile phone.
At less than 4-inches wide and less than 2-inches tall, this little camera is small enough to carry in your pocket but packs quite a punch.
Not only is it waterproof and shockproof, but it's also crushproof. To say that this thing is rugged is an understatement!
It features a 15.3-megapixel 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS sensor that's paired with a ZEISS Tessar T* 24mm f/4 lens.
The sensor and lens combination is pretty great on its own, but considering that the RXO has a high-speed BIONZ X image processor that helps render the images you take with incredible detail makes this camera even better.
But the performance doesn't stop there. The RXO has an ultra high-speed anti-distortion shutter rated to 1/32000 seconds and has an extendable ISO range of 80-25600.
Furthermore, it has a continuous shooting speed up to 16 fps, up to 960fps/1000fps super slow motion video, and 4K video capabilities.
The RXO even has its own extensive line of accessories so you can customize its capabilities even further.
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Filmborn App
Given that smartphone photography is so popular these days, it's pretty neat that a company has spent time developing a smartphone app that helps you make your digital photos look like film photos.
And this isn't some sort of cheap gimmick, either...
Filmborn was created by Mastin Labs, a company that specializes in creating presets for Lightroom and Photoshop that perfectly recreate how films like Kodak Portra, Fuji Pro, and Ilford Black and White look.
They've brought those looks (and many more) to the Filmborn app so that you and I can get more creative with how our images look.
Essentially, Filmborn helps bridge the gap between photography's past in film and its present and future in digital.
What's more, the app was designed to help inspire photographers of all skill levels to shoot better photos because the app adds such a level of character, richness, and timelessness to the images you take.
Best of all, the app is just $2.99, though there are plenty of in-app purchases. But if you ask me, preserving the look of film is worth the price of admission!
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Memorywall
As cool as the previous two products are, if you ask me, there's really no point in getting better gear and learning more about photography if you don't actually display your photos.
And by "display" I don't mean putting them on Instagram or Flickr...
Like shooting with film, there's just something about printing your images and putting them on your wall that completes the process of creating photos. It's totally satisfying to see the photos you've made on the wall, isn't it?!
But hanging photos on the wall can be a little boring if you go the traditional route, which is why I think Memorywall is such a cool product.
Instead of hanging a flat, single image, you can display virtually any number of images in a three-dimensional display using the modular Memorywall units.
As you can see in the images above and below, this gives you the opportunity to create some pretty fantastic wall art, whether you're displaying individual photos or you create a singular artistic piece.
Use a single Memorywall unit for an intimate display of four 4x4-inch images, or put several Memorywall units together to create a display that brings the entire wall to life. Either way, the unique tilting and angled action of each individual image in the Memorywall unit allows you to create something that's far more engaging and eye-catching than a traditional wall hanging.
You can even get super creative and create shapes with your Memorywall units!
In the end, photography is all about the creative process, and Memorywall is certainly a great way for you to complete that process.
Whether you take photos with an old, trusty camera or a brand-new rig like the Sony RXO, or immediately print your images or use something like Filmborn to process them first, Memorywall gives your images the added visual impact they need.
With these hot, new photography products either out already or soon to be released, I for one am excited about the direction that photography is headed!
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How to Creatively Hang Your Photos Without Destroying Your Wall
The great thing about having your photos printed is that you have personal, meaningful artwork and memories to hang on your wall.
The problem, of course, is that when you hang pictures on your wall using traditional means, you can easily wreak havoc on the wall, leaving scuffs, marks, and even holes that you have to deal with later on.
Of course, if you know how to do it, you can successfully display your favorite memories and save your walls at the same time. More on that secret to come!
Planning is Paramount
Just like you have to have a plan and execute it to get a great photo, you also need to have a plan regarding where you want to display that photo on your wall.
That means you need to look at your space and determine where you want to hang your images.
What's more, you need to consider the size of the image you wish to hang to avoid having a piece that's way too small or way too large for the amount of wall space that's available.
Something else to keep in mind is to hang your pictures at eye level.
Now, I'm a tall guy, and my wife is short, so sometimes there needs to be a bit of a compromise.
But the point of hanging images on the wall is so everyone can enjoy them without having to crane their neck up or down just to see them.
When you have a location selected, you might need to find a stud so you're sure the picture hanger can safely hold the image.
Granted, if it's a small print in a lightweight frame, you can probably get away without having the hanger nailed into a stud.
But if you have a large print or one that's in a very heavy frame, be sure you've got the hanger secured to a stud lest the photo comes crashing down, leaving a big hole in your wall behind it!
Measure Twice...
As the old saying goes, measure twice, cut once.
The same principle applies when hanging your images on the wall.
Before you start hammering away, it's a good idea to lay out the measurements of your photo on the wall. This is particularly important if you have multiple photos to hang.
By marking the places where you need to mount the hanging brackets, you can ensure that you've planned the space well. Using a level to ensure that each mark is on the same plane as the others is a good idea, too.
If you aren't a very spatial person, consider using paper as dummy art.
Just cut the paper to size, tape it on the wall, and step back to get a visual of how your images will look once they've taken their place on the wall.
Not only does that keep you from having to hold your photos up to the wall to try to mark where you need to place the hanger, but it also means you can easily rearrange the dummy images without causing damage to the wall or paint.
Consider a New Way to Display Your Photos
So, planning, measuring, and using dummy photos to lay out the space are crucial steps to hanging your photos without damaging your wall.
But what happens if in a couple of years you want to hang different images? You're back at square one, and with holes all over your wall to boot!
That's why you need an innovative and creative way to display your photos that requires just one round of planning and hanging...
There's an up-and-coming product that fits the bill, too - Memorywall.
As you can see in the images above and below, Memorywall allows you to create living walls full of memories, all with an easy-to-hang modular system.
Each Memorywall unit measures 8-inches by 8-inches and contains four 4x4-inch frames. And you can connect Memorywall units together to create a breathtaking mosaic of your favorite photos.
Better still, Memorywall allows you to tilt, turn, and tweak each image individually, thereby creating a funky three-dimensional wall of photos. How cool is that?! No more regular lay-flat photos on the wall for you!
And don't think that Memorywall is just a great way to show off your photos, either.
It's a time-saver as well!
Think about it...if you get tired of the photos you have on display, just swap them out! There's no need to remove Memorywall, no need to replan your photo display, no need to measure or find the studs in the wall again.
Instead, you can hang any number of Memorywall units on the wall and when your images need a refresh, simply change them as you wish.
Heck, I've got hundreds of photos I'd love to display, but no room to show them all off.
But Memorywall solves that problem while also allowing me to get super creative in the manner in which I create my new 3-D photo display.
I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on this thing. It's an innovative and exciting product that I'm sure will turn the photo industry on its head.
And as you can see, it's not just for photos...Memorywall can be used to create stunning art displays too!
But don't take my word for it. Check out how Memorywall was developed and why it's such an ingenious product in the video above.
Memorywall is on Indiegogo, so have a look and lend your support!
We Recommend
How to Have Fun With Your Photography
Tell me if this sounds familiar...
You like photography, but find that sometimes it seems more like a chore than something fun to do.
Perhaps you get home a little late from work and just don't feel like doing anything but sitting on the couch.
Or maybe you have a day of shooting planned for the weekend, only for bad weather to hamper your plans.
In other words, there's a lot of things that can sideline your photography and make it not so fun.
But the only way to get better at photography is to practice, and the more fun photography is, the more you'll want to practice!
With that in mind, here's a few ways that you can make photography fun again.
Make Time for Silliness
Sometimes it's hard not to be super serious when taking photos.
After all, you don't want to just waste your time taking poor shots. Instead, you want to work on composition, framing, lighting, and so forth.
But overthinking photography can be quite a buzzkill, which is why making time to have fun and be silly is so important for photographers.
Instead of forcing your kids to sit nicely on the front steps for a portrait, work on capturing images of them as they play.
Instead of trying to get your dog to sit perfectly and look at the camera, flop yourself down on the floor next to your dog and take a selfie.
Instead of waiting for the "perfect" weather or the "perfect" lighting, try challenging yourself to think outside the box and work in more challenging conditions.
The point is that if you're always serious and only focused on using the right camera settings or having the white balance perfectly set, you'll begin to lose the spirit of spontaneity that can have such a positive impact on how you feel about the time you spend behind the lens.
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Use Only Your Smartphone
I know many photographers that use their smartphone as their primary camera.
But I also know many photographers that refuse to choose their smartphone over their big DSLR.
The great thing about using a smartphone for photography, though, is that it's so small and mobile. That means you can be more mobile and work on creating images that you might not otherwise take with your regular camera.
So, leave your DSLR at home, head out with your phone, and see what kinds of fun you can have with mobile photography.
Get down low to the ground - heck, even lay down - and frame up a unique worm's eye view of a landscape.
Head upward in a building and find a rooftop to capture bird's eye view shots of a cityscape.
Grab a waterproof case and head to the lake or the beach for some fun in the sun and surf.
The point is that a mobile phone allows you to be so much more active and free than if you're carrying around your DSLR, a couple of lenses, your tripod, and a camera bag.
The freedom that smartphones provide is a sure way to get back to having fun with photography and can do wonders for rejuvenating your creative spirit.
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Ditch the Traditional Means of Displaying Photos
First of all, I think far too many people today don't print out their photos.
I understand why this is the case, given that we live in a digital world and all...
But slapping your photos on Facebook or into a Flickr photo album just isn't the same as having actual real photos hanging on the wall.
What's more, printing out regular old photos and putting them in a regular old frame just isn't that fun anymore, either.
That's where you can make photography fun again - by finding new and interesting ways to display your photos.
I recently came across one such way, Memorywall, and I have to say that if this is what the future of displaying photos looks like, I'm totally on board!
The great thing about Memorywall is that it allows you to create three-dimensional photo displays that bring your walls to life. And as you can see above, you can even use Memorywall to create stunning art pieces as well.
And not only that, but Memorywall is modular, too, so you can combine individual units to create displays that are big, small, or somewhere in between.
I think you'll agree that the results are quite breathtaking...
Memorywall solves another problem, too.
Since each unit houses four photos, you can display many more photos in the same space.
That means fewer prints loitering in your desk drawers and more photos on the wall to enjoy.
Not only that, you can easily swap out the images in the Memorywall unit. That allows you to customize your photo display even more. How fun is that?!
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At the end of the day, having more fun with photography really comes down to the choices you make.
Do you trudge through trying to take serious, posed portraits of your kids, or do you set the camera on a timer and take photos as you all run around and play in the yard?
Do you lug around your big DSLR everywhere you go and get tired of doing so, or do you opt to shoot with your mobile phone for a while to have a little more freedom?
And do you only upload your photos to Facebook, or do you actually print them out and make fun and funky wall displays with gizmos like Memorywall?
When looking at photography through those lenses, it's a no-brainer how to have fun with your photography!
We Recommend
Photo Display Ideas That Bring Your Images to Life
When you display photos in your home, you want them to be displayed in a way that makes the photos even better.
You also want to be able to display them in a way that's eye-catching, unique, and makes a statement.
In other words, having a traditional photo display, like a collage of large framed photos, just doesn't cut it anymore if you want to get creative and bring your images to life.
With that in mind, consider the following ideas for taking your photo displays to another level.
The Good Way: Crowd Photo Display
Rather than cluttering up your desk space with a bunch of individual photos, why not utilize something like a crowd photo display to show off smaller photos?
This display is made of steel wires and metal clips, for a sleek, industrial look that complements any decor.
With various lengths of wire, each photo stands at a different height, that way you can enjoy each photo without another one getting in the way.
Even better, you can customize the size of the display by expanding or retracting the base.
For small spaces, just retract the base and display a handful of your favorite photos. For larger spaces, expand the display so you can show off more of your favorite memories.
It's a great way to have some flexibility regarding how much space you dedicate to your images, and what's more, you can easily change the images, too - just unclip them, swap them out, and it's ready to go!
The Better Way: Rustic Wood and Twine
The nice thing about the wood and twine photo display shown above is that you can display up to 30 photos.
You can also organize the photos any way you see fit, using one row or column to highlight a specific person or event, and a different person or event in the next row or column.
It's an especially good choice if you have a rustic decor in your home, too.
Perhaps best of all, you can swap out the photos any time you like, as the only thing "framing" them is twine and clothespins.
That means you can adapt the display to changing seasons or simply update it each passing year with newer photos.
Either way, it's a good way to show off your photos and do so in a manner that's unexpected and unique.
The Best Way: Memorywall
When I was growing up, my grandmother had a wall of photos in her foyer. And when I say a wall of photos, I mean that literally...
Every square inch of that wall was covered with framed photos of all us grandkids.
The problem was, it was just so completely overwhelming to the eyes, seeing dozens of framed photos cluttering up the wall from the floor to the ceiling.
Besides, as we all got older, she didn't have room to display newer photographs of us.
So, for me, a means of displaying a lot of photos in an interesting and engaging way, and that allows you to change the photos as you see fit seems like the best option for showing off your images.
That's a perfect description of Memorywall, the incredible photo display shown above and below.
You can see right off the bat that Memorywall stands head and shoulders above the other options on this list.
Though the "good" and "better" displays allow you to swap out images as you see fit, they do so in a way that makes the photos feel much less permanent.
In other words, even though you can easily change the images in a Memorywall unit, it looks more like an actual framed picture than the other two options.
What's more, that three-dimensional effect truly brings your photos to life, helping them to leap off the wall and really engage people in looking at your photos.
Memorywall is modular, too, so you can create all sorts of shapes with your images. The only limitation is your imagination!
At 8-inches by 8-inches, each unit is small enough that you can put one in virtually any space. But each unit has space for four 4x4-inch photos, so you can still display multiple images without it feeling cluttered and overwhelming to the eye.
You can even use Memorywall to create breathtaking 3-D art, as you can see below.
In other words, Memorywall takes photo displays to a whole new level, allowing you to get creative in terms of which images you display, do so in a 3-D manner, and in various shapes and sizes to boot.
Hanging photos in regular photo frames is so 20th Century!
If you want to bring your images to life and create an eye-catching display, get yourself a few Memorywall units and see just how creative you can be.
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing on Memorywall
- How to Creatively Hang Your Photos Without Destroying Your Wall
We Recommend
The Best of 2017
I love this time of year…
And I don’t mean just because of the holidays, either (though that’s nice!).
By this point in the year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet dozens and dozens of innovators in the photography industry, test out some awesome products, and get a glimpse at what the future holds for those of us that love photography.
And I have to say that the products and services I’ve found in 2017 have me more excited for the future of photography than ever before. I want to share that excitement with you in this article.
Below is a list of the top movers and shakers in the photography industry, and an overview of some of their top products. Some you’ve likely already heard of; others, you probably haven’t seen yet.
But trust me when I say that these companies will forever change the way we take photos, process photos, and even view photos.
Without further ado, let’s get to it!
Meural
Hands-down, the Meural Canvas is one of the best photography products of the year.
I first met the Meural team at Photo Plus earlier this year in New York City.
The expo was full of incredible photography gadgets and gizmos that was a veritable playland for photographers. But out of the hundreds of booths there, Meural’s caught my eye more than any other.
When I was standing at the booth looking at the Meural Canvas, a couple of things immediately impressed me.
First, the Canvas looks like any normal framed photo or piece of art, yet it’s digitized, allowing you to load your favorite images to enjoy them as a playlist.
That alone was enough to impress.
However, the second thing that knocked my socks off was the fact that the images looked so darn real. I mean, this isn’t like viewing family photos on the old digital picture frame you gave grandma back in the early 2000s…
Instead, Meural uses TrueArt technology that renders the images lifelike. As I was standing there in the expo hall, I actually forgot I was looking at a digital Canvas instead of the real artwork. I literally felt like I could touch the Meural Canvas and that I would feel the texture of the artist’s brush strokes.
If that doesn’t explain the quality of this product and why it’s the best I encountered this year, consider this…
Not only does the Canvas automatically adjust its display to accommodate vertical or horizontal hanging, but it also has an ambient light sensor to adjust to the lighting in the room. That means you can hang it where you like and it will look like a million bucks.
Each Canvas frame is made of FSC-certified American hardwood, so it’s not only gorgeous, but it’s sustainably resourced as well. You can choose from a Leonora Black or White finish or if walnut is more your vibe, that’s an option on the Winslow frame.
Here’s the kicker…
You can control what the Canvas displays using the Meural website, the Meural mobile app or even by using hand gestures.
You can upload your own photos and create your own playlists or use Meural’s curated playlists to display incredible works of art in your own home.
Adding photos via the iOS app is a breeze, allowing you to upload and crop images, add filters, and immediately send them to your Canvas for display. You can even schedule what the Canvas displays and when with its scheduling feature.
That means when the in-laws come over, you can proudly display family photos. When your annual dinner party rolls around, you can schedule classic artworks to display on your Canvas. It’s versatile, incredibly well crafted, and a total joy to view.
Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints
It often seems like when you see one metal print, you've seen them all.
But after I ordered two metal prints from Artbeat Studios, I realized that they produce prints that are far beyond what the other guys offer.
There is simply no comparison between the quality of my metal prints from Artbeat Studios and the quality of other metal prints I ordered elsewhere.
My Artbeat Studios prints are vibrant, colorful, full of contrast, and simply look like a million bucks.
Part of the reason for that is because Artbeat Studios makes their prints in-house. No outsourcing here!
That gives them much more control over the quality of the prints they create, so when your photos arrive at your doorstep, there's no mistaking their quality.
Something else that allows Artbeat Studios to create the best prints is that they will offer you feedback regarding the best medium on which to print your photo.
All you have to do is email them a low-resolution version of the image, and they'll work up the best options for you. That includes giving you sizing recommendations to maximize the impact of the photo. Talk about great customer service!
When Artbeat Studios makes a metal print, they heat infuse the image right into a specially-coated aluminum sheet.
What that means is that you get a print that's water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and UV-resistant.
On top of that, your print has incredibly bright, vibrant colors that make the image leap off the wall and give it tons of life.
Trust me - I look at my Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints each and every day, and they continue to boggle my mind with their incredible quality.
You get tons of customization options, too, so you can truly make the image your own.
Learn more about Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints.
Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Maternity Gowns
Abba Color Photography
My son was born before I learned about Sew Trendy. That meant my wife struggled to find quality maternity gowns during her pregnancy.
Had I known about Sew Trendy, we'd have many more maternity photos to cherish because Sew Trendy's maternity gowns are simply gorgeous and nothing short of extraordinary.
This company redefines class. That goes for the products they make as well as their customer service experience.
Vic and Marie Photography
I've visited Sew Trendy's booths at various trade shows over the years, and I'm always astonished by how busy they are.
Their booth is always shoulder to shoulder with people interested in seeing and touching their products and learning more about this incredible company.
I've had the pleasure of getting to know the company's founder and CEO, Valerie Best, and I can assure you that there's a reason why Sew Trendy's garments are second-to-none.
That's because Valerie and her team value each and every gown that leaves the warehouse just as much as they value each and every customer. There's something to be said for companies in this day and age that take the level of customer service to new heights.
Foxy Photography
Something else that I appreciate about Sew Trendy is that they are always innovative, coming up with new designs that give maternity photographers fresh, new looks to feature in their photos.
Their fall and winter collection is no exception...
It features gorgeously handcrafted maternity gowns that run the gamut from on-the-shoulder, long-sleeve lace gowns to form-fitting, off-the-shoulder knit gowns, and just about anything else you can imagine.
No matter if you're a maternity photographer or an expecting mom yourself, Sew Trendy has a plentiful selection of beautiful gowns for any mom-to-be.
Learn more about Sew Trendy's collection of maternity gowns.
Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant
If you've ever been in a situation in which you aren't quite sure what camera settings to use, then Arsenal is for you.
In short, Arsenal utilizes Artificial Intelligence to find the ideal camera settings for you to use given the current shooting situation.
In other words, it takes all the guesswork out of trying to determine your camera settings, that way you can quickly dial in the correct ones and start shooting.
Arsenal is able to do this because it intelligently searches thousands and thousands of images in its database.
Once it's determined a baseline of suggested settings based on the sample images it's analyzed, it fine-tunes the suggested settings by using 18 different factors that influence camera settings, from diffraction to the motion of the subject to the dynamic range of the scene.
But don't think that Arsenal just does everything for you.
Instead, it's a fantastic learning tool that allows you to review the settings you used to get the shot. This review process will help you learn what camera settings to use in a given situation, including exposure settings, white balance, and so forth.
Once you develop the skills you need to control your camera settings manually, Arsenal makes it easy to do that - just use the Arsenal smartphone app to do so right from your phone.
Speaking of your phone, you can see live previews of your photos, easily share your images to social media, and make time-lapse videos.
If it sounds incredible, it is! That's why it's on our list of the Best of 2017!
Holdfast Roamographer Bag
I've been in the photography business for a good, long while now, and I've encountered some truly top-notch companies that put out incredible gear.
That's why no list of the best photography companies of the year would be complete without mentioning Holdfast.
The quality of their products is second-to-none. I know because I own some of their gear and have had the opportunity to check out other items at various trade shows over the years.
Without question, Holdfast's commitment to quality construction is second-to-none.
That's certainly true of their top-of-the-line bag, the Roamographer.
This thing exists at the intersection of form and function.
It's not only beautifully made with fine details that speak to its impeccable design and construction, but it's also the height of convenience, too.
I particularly like the removable camera insert that allows me to use the bag as both a camera bag and as a weekend getaway bag.
The insert itself is soft and padded, that way your gear is cradled safely in the bag. And when you're ready for a fun weekend away, it simply slides right out to give you a cavernous bag for all your stuff.
Holdfast really put thought into the design of the exterior of the bag as well.
There's carrier straps that allow you to easily carry your tripod. The shoulder strap is worth noting as well because it's thick, padded, and lined with shearling fleece to give you a super comfortable carrying experience.
You can even attach a small camera to the bag's shoulder strap, that way you don't miss any shots when you're traveling from Point A to Point B.
Learn more about the Holdfast Roamographer Bag.
Holdfast MoneyMaker
Holdfast doesn't just craft some of the best camera bags around...
They are also responsible for the excellent MoneyMaker multi-camera strap seen above.
To say that the MoneyMaker is one of the best purchases I've ever made is an understatement.
Not only is it incredibly comfortable to wear - the leather straps have conformed to my body over the years - but it's also unbelievably convenient to use when shooting.
Imagine not having to dig through your camera bag every time you want to switch cameras or lenses.
Instead, you can have two (or even three) cameras right there at your fingertips, ready and waiting to be used to take awesome shots.
The MoneyMaker does just that, giving you access to two camera bodies right at your hips and with an optional attachment, a third camera on your chest.
You can even carry lens pouches, cell phone pouches, and Holdfast bags with the MoneyMaker as well, making it an ultra convenient way to carry your gear.
And like everything Holdfast makes, the MoneyMaker is beautifully crafted with the finest materials.
That makes the MoneyMaker both durable and super easy on the eyes.
Comfort, convenience, functionality, beautiful design...that's the MoneyMaker in a nutshell!
Learn more about the Holdfast MoneyMaker.
Holdfast Sightseer Backpack
Well, Holdfast is simply so good that I had to include them on my best of 2017 list three times.
In addition to their camera bags and multi-camera straps, Holdfast also makes a camera backpack that's ideal for photographers that are on the go.
Called the Sightseer Backpack, it's specifically designed to carry a ton of gear, but do so in a way that maximizes comfort and functionality - just like Holdfast's other products.
And as you can see in the close-up shot below, the Sightseer Backpack is impeccably crafted, too.
Just look at the stitching detail on the shoulder straps and the quality of the metalwork if you need any convincing that this is a top-notch bag...
The bag is expandable as well.
You can add pockets and pouches to the exterior of the bag to carry everything from a prime or telephoto lens to your cell phone, all within easy reach.
The bag also has an integrated slider for carrying a small camera on the outside of the bag. That makes it nice for taking quick shots without having to take your bag off to grab your camera.
The waxed canvas and leather exterior looks great, and since both materials are weatherproof, you don't have to worry about your gear getting wet.
Inside the bag is Aztec flannel fleece to cradle your gear and keep it safe as you travel around.
You don't have to worry about your lenses or cameras banging around at all - the interior of the bag is soft and padded, and that Aztec fleece looks like a million bucks, too!
In other words, this is another example of how Holdfast brings form and function together in one gorgeous product.
Learn more about the Holdfast Sightseer Backpack.
CanvasHQ Canvas Prints
I've been a big fan of canvas photography prints for many, many years.
I like how the texture of the canvas comes through, giving the image improved depth and dimension.
Of course, not all canvases are made alike. I've tested dozens of canvas companies over the years, and so far, no one comes close to CanvasHQ. That's why they are on this list of the Best of 2017!
What makes CanvasHQ canvas prints so much better than the competition is the materials they use.
Just like using the finest ingredients will get you a better meal, using the best materials will get you a better canvas.
CanvasHQ does just that - they use commercial-grade inks that are water-resistant and UV-resistant. What's more, CanvasHQ backs its inks with a lifetime guarantee against fading.
Add to that archival-grade canvas, and you have the makings of a print that will look like a million bucks for generations to come.
Of course, what's behind the canvas matters too...
CanvasHQ crafts their frames from kiln-dried wood to protect against warping.
Each stretcher bar is made of precision-cut pine. After drying in the kiln, they're used to handmake the frames for the canvases.
The results are, not surprisingly, beautiful and durable.
I have a couple dozen CanvasHQ prints in my home, and I can tell you that the quality is absolutely top-notch.
Head over to CanvasHQ and get your canvas print in the works!
Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Newborn Beanbag Wrap Sets
Purest Light Photography
As I noted earlier, Sew Trendy is one of the top photography accessory companies around.
But that's not just due to the gorgeous handcrafted gowns they produce...
Sew Trendy also has a complete line of newborn photography props, accessories, and outfits that help you elevate the quality of your newborn photography.
Susy Martinez Photography
And just like their gowns, Sew Trendy's newborn products are gorgeously made with love and care.
One of the newborn products that caught my eye is the Newborn Beanbag and Wrap Set.
The set includes an extra soft stretch knit beanbag backdrop, as seen in the photos above and below.
The backdrop is extra soft and made with thick, high-quality fabric that is soft against the baby's skin and gives your photos a luxurious touch.
Susy Martinez Photography
And since the fabric is knit, it's got the ideal stretch and drape to cover the beanbag.
The same attention to comfort and softness was paid to the accompanying wrap as well.
The wrap is made of the same stretchy knit fabric in the same color, giving you the ability to put the baby in a soft, warm, and colorful wrap that complements the backdrop beautifully.
In other words, if you're a newborn photographer, Sew Trendy's newborn clothing and accessories are certainly something you need to implement in your images in 2018!
Learn more about Sew Trendy's Newborn Beanbag Wrap Sets.
Wolverine Data F2D Titan 8-in-1 High Definition Film to Digital Converter
Digital photography has been around a long time, but that doesn't mean that we don't all have some old 35mm negatives and slides lurking around in the attic or basement somewhere.
I've used various means of digitizing my old negatives in the past, but for my money, the Wolverine Data F2D Titan is the best option.
Not only does it convert old 35mm/127/126 and 110 negatives, slides, 8mm movies, and Super 8 movies into 20-megapixel digital imagery, but it does so in a few seconds.
That means that with the push of a button, I can set the Titan in motion, unleashing its power to digitize my old images. You don't even need any software or a computer!
Once scanned, the images are saved on the internal memory in the Titan. You can also choose to save the photos right to a memory card.
From there, you can choose to edit the photos on your computer, or even hook the Titan up to your TV to watch a slideshow of old memories.
Photos and videos are meant to be enjoyed - not collect dust in old boxes and bins.
With the Wolverine Data Titan, you can bring those old memories back to life in a way that you've never been able to do before.
Learn more about the Wolverine Data Titan.
Memorywall
When it comes to innovating the photography industry, Memorywall is definitely a company that comes to mind.
That's because they invented a way for your images to be more interactive - a living wall full of memories that you can easily change and adapt.
Each Memorywall unit is an 8x8 inch frame that fits four 4x4 inch photos. That gives you the ability to display more photos in a smaller area than you normally can.
Even better, each photo can be easily swapped out, so as your children grow, for example, you can feature current photos in the Memorywall unit.
Better still, Memorywall is a modular system, so you can connect various units together to create as big of a photo display as you like.
You can opt to display dozens of photos, create a gorgeous mosaic, and even form specific shapes with the Memorywall units, too.
Each image within the Memorywall unit can be tilted and turned as well, giving you the ability to create three-dimensional photo displays that turn the meaning of "framed photo" on its head.
These things even save you time...
You never have to remove Memorywall from your wall.
Instead, you can swap out photos right then and there to refresh your display to meet your current tastes. That means no extra drilling, no finding the studs again, and no more holes in your wall.
If that's not an innovative way to display your photos, I don't know what is!
Click Props
When it comes to high-quality products for photographers, Click Props is no slouch.
Nor should they be.
After all, they're part of the Sew Trendy family, so you know that the products they put out are the best in the business.
When you think of portrait backgrounds, you might not think of an area that's ripe for innovation, but Click Props has managed to set themselves apart nonetheless.
Their backdrops are gorgeously handcrafted to give your photos that extra bit of visual appeal that takes them to another level.
Made of high-grade 550gsm vinyl, these backdrops don't just look great, but are also highly durable.
That's helped by reinforced grommets every 12-inches along the top of the backdrop to ensure it hangs smoothly and will stand the test of time.
On top of that, they're easy to clean and store, so you can keep your workspace neat and tidy.
The sheer range of backdrops is impressive as well - there's more than 200 designs (and counting!) from which to choose.
Offered in sizes that range from 5'x5' to 7'x9.5', they've got backdrops that will fit into any sized studio as well as accommodating various types of portraits, from individuals to small groups.
Perhaps best of all, Click Props isn't just committed to manufacturing top-notch photography accessories.
Instead, when you work with Click Props, you get the kind of customer service that seems to be rarer and rarer these days.
They truly put their money with their mouth is, and will help you create more impressive photos!
Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker
As I noted earlier, all of us have old negatives and slides laying around that we can't enjoy without converting to digital.
The same goes for the once-popular 8mm and Super 8 film that our parents and grandparents used to document family events back in the day.
Fortunately, Wolverine Data has you covered again, this time with their 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital Moviemaker.
Preserving your family's memories has really never been so easy.
Wolverine Data has done their thing, building a product that makes it simple to digitize your old films (without sound).
All you have to do is mount the three-inch or five-inch movie reel to the machine, insert a memory card, press a couple of buttons, and the MovieMaker will set about doing its work. See it in action in the video below:
This device scans the film frame-by-frame is it plays, and converts it to a digital MP4 movie that you can upload to YouTube, watch on your computer or burn to a DVD.
You can even edit the digitized film on your computer to make it even special.
And like the aforementioned Wolverine Data Titan, the MovieMaker is a standalone device. Just plug it in, grab your old videos, and you're ready to go!
Not all innovative photography devices look to the future. Instead, Wolverine Data offers us ways to preserve the past, which is just as important.
Learn more about the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital Moviemaker.
CaptureLife
I only recently became familiar with CaptureLife, and the fact that I’m including it on my Best of 2017 list after such a short time should tell you a lot about how incredible this product is.
CaptureLife is an amazing app that lets professional photographers share photos with their clients via smartphone. In other words, it completely revolutionizes the manner in which you disseminate your work to your clients - no more flash drives, CDs, or hard-to-navigate online galleries.
Instead, your images can be accessed on any device, where your client gets a personalized text that reflects your unique brand. From there, it’s just a couple of taps of the screen before they can begin looking at their photos.
But if you think that CaptureLife is just a way to share photos with your clients, you’re wrong…
CaptureLife is a sales platform, too, so your clients can order prints and other products, right from their phone. They also have a growing Digital Marketplace that offers a variety of digital products photographers can offer to customers.
In fact, the app will help drive your digital sales because it’s so easy and streamlined for clients to make purchases. Besides, most people shop and purchase items on their phone anyway, so CaptureLife taps directly into that trend.
On top of all that, when your clients share their photo galleries with friends and family, your sales footprint widens even more. That’s because anyone the client invites to view their photos can order prints and other items as well.
CaptureLife is convenient, easy to use, and packed with features for both you and your clients. If you’re a professional photographer, and you’re looking for a way to improve your business, this is the one platform you need to use!
nPhoto Acrylic Prestige Collection Album
Artwork by Luke Woodford
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
The process of creating a gorgeous photo doesn't end when you press the shutter button. It doesn't even end once you've finished post-processing!
How you present your images is half the battle in creating something beautiful, and if it's beautiful you're after, then you need to learn about nPhoto.
nPhoto is the largest printing lab in Europe, with 400 experienced artisans working hard to make photo albums and other accessories that make your photos shine and your clients happy with the results.
Though they have a huge line of gorgeous products, for me, the Acrylic Prestige Collection Album has to be one of the most impressive.
Artwork by Luke Woodford
On the front is a refined acrylic window that gives you a peek at the photo on its cover.
Not only does this allow you to highlight a favorite memory on the cover of the album, but it also gives the album a classic look with a modern twist.
You can even customize the colors of the cover as well as the type of cutout that reveals the cover image for a truly personalized album.
Speaking of the cover, it's handmade with a true feel of luxury in your hands.
Inside, the pages are made of rigid 800g/m2 cardstock, so the pages feel thick, sturdy, and luxurious as well. nPhoto uses metallic and silk papers (which you can mix and match in the same album) and panoramic layflat spreads that give the album an even more impressive look.
In other words, when you see this thing in person, you don't even need to pick it up to know that it's the best photo album you'll ever see.
The quality of craftsmanship is simply that good!
Learn more about the nPhoto Acrylic Prestige Collection Album.
MPB
My list of the best photography companies of 2017 wouldn't be complete without MPB.
When it comes to buying and selling pre-owned gear, no one comes close to these guys.
I've traded in a couple of items to MPB, and was extremely pleased with how smooth the process was to do so.
I just told them what lenses I had, and they gave me a competitive price quote within one working day.
From there, MPB arranged free pickup of my lenses on a day and at a time that worked for me. That was a nice detail!
After MPB verified that my description of my gear was accurate, they simply transferred my money right into my bank account.
It really was about as easy as it gets...
Although I chose to just sell my gear, I could've traded it in, too. MPB has a marketplace of thousands of items, so it wouldn't have been hard for me to find something I wanted.
What's more, MPB is a great place to find a good deal on pre-owned gear, so if you're in the market for a new camera, lens, or other photography gadget, it's the place to look.
Not only do they offer you detailed descriptions of each product, but they also have multiple photos that show the condition of the product.
In other words, buying and selling your used camera gear is a breeze with these guys, and since they're as committed to service after the sale as they are during it, you know you're in good hands should something go awry.
Not everyone has an unlimited budget for photography gear, so stretching your dollar is certainly a bonus. You can do that with confidence at MPB.