Photographers Utility Belts & Harnesses

Choosing a Camera Harness

Camera harnesses help prevent costly incidents while shooting. While many cameras are durable, one bad drop can cause massive damage. Of course, not everyone uses a camera in the same way. Some take quick photo shoots in a studio while others are snapping away all day at a wedding. Luckily, there are tons of different camera straps and harnesses available to fit any need.

What's a Camera Clip?

A camera clip is a holster that keeps your camera firmly locked into place on your hip. Unlike camera straps—which are great for ultra-quick access—clips are incredibly secure and they don't allow the camera to bounce around. This feature makes them particularly useful for on-the-go photography. Many photographers prefer clips while hiking, riding a bike, or taking pictures on the go.

What's the Purpose of a Photography Harness?

A photography harness works similarly to a camera strap. A typical camera strap relies on your neck for support. For short photography sessions and light cameras, this isn't a big deal. However, you can quickly wear out your neck if you own a bigger camera or take pictures all day. With bag and case straps, you can keep your camera secure when put away, while photography harnesses keep your camera secure while in use.

Additionally, many harnesses are designed to carry more than one camera. If you attempt to carry more than one camera at a time with a traditional camera strap, they are likely to bump into each other. This constant contact can cause light body damage to the cameras, and the extra weight will put a strain on your neck.

What's a Spider Holster?

This photography harness is ideal for professional event shooting, like weddings and sports. Like a utility belt, it straps around your hip and comes with a camera clip on one side. Different versions of this harness type exist, but many of the most popular ones use a simple locking system to keep your camera secure. Instead of attaching by a cord like other harnesses, you take your camera on and off by using a quick lock attached to your camera's tripod mount.

This system makes it easy to attach and reattach your camera on the go. However, this locking system doesn't work to keep your camera secure while you're shooting. Instead, it only provides a safe and efficient holster system when the camera is on your belt. While shooting, many photographers choose to use another securing system as well, such as a wrist strap.