The Day My Camera Bag Hit the Highway
It was July 5th, 2024. A rare day when my husband and I were both home and able to spend time together with all three of our children. We even had our little nine pound cotton poo with us. The plan was simple. We were heading to Acadia National Park for a day of adventure, hoping to explore places like Bubble Rock and Jordan Pond.
We packed up the Jeep with everything we needed for the drive. Coffee from Starbucks, music playing, snacks for the kids, and my camera bag sitting in the back of the vehicle with all of my photography gear inside.
We were traveling north on Interstate 295 with the rest of the morning traffic. Like everyone else on the highway, we were moving quickly to keep pace with the flow of cars around us.
Then traffic suddenly stopped.
Out of nowhere, the highway came to a complete standstill. Like the vehicles in front of us, we were able to come to a stop. I was in the passenger seat holding our dog while my husband was driving. The kids were spread out between the middle row and the back seat. Everything felt completely normal just moments before.
Then we were hit from behind.
The impact was sudden and violent. I remember the pain and then everything went black. The vehicle began moving again and we ended up off the highway before coming to an abrupt stop. When I came to, the kids were crying and my husband was already trying to make sure everyone was okay. One of the doors had to be forced open so he could reach the kids and check on them. In that moment the only thing that mattered was making sure everyone in the car was safe. None of us were thinking about the camera gear in the back.
Later, after we were home from the hospital, my husband told me something that I did not know at the time.
When the vehicle was struck from behind, my camera bag had been thrown from the back of the Jeep and landed on the highway behind us, sitting in the slow lane of traffic.
Inside that bag was the equipment I rely on for my work. Cameras, lenses, and the tools that allow me to photograph families, seniors, and portraits along the Maine coastline.
Photographers travel with a surprising amount of equipment. Cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, memory cards, and accessories are often packed together and transported to locations for portrait sessions. These tools are not only expensive, they are also delicate. Camera bodies contain precise electronics and moving components. Lenses contain carefully aligned glass elements that must remain properly positioned to produce sharp images.
Because of this, the bag that carries photography equipment becomes the first layer of protection. It is easy to think of a camera bag as simply a way to organize gear, but it plays a much more important role. Padding, internal compartments, and the overall structure of the bag help protect the equipment inside from movement, impact, and travel conditions.
After the accident, I wanted to be absolutely certain that my equipment was still functioning properly. A few days later I brought my gear to a camera shop so every piece could be inspected and checked over carefully. Thankfully everything could be evaluated and tested to ensure it was still working as it should. That experience made me appreciate the role a good camera bag plays in protecting the tools photographers depend on every day.
The bag that was in the vehicle that day was a BAGSMART Camera Backpack that I had originally purchased through Amazon. Inside that bag was much of the equipment I rely on for my photography work. Cameras, lenses, and accessories that travel with me to portrait sessions across the southern Maine coastline.
When my husband later told me that the bag had been thrown from the back of the Jeep and landed on the highway, I could only imagine the damage that might have happened. When we were finally able to check the bag, it had clearly taken some impact. There were a couple of small tears in the exterior fabric and one of the waist straps had broken during the crash. But the structure and padding of the bag had done their job.
The equipment inside was still protected well enough that it could be inspected and tested afterward. Considering the circumstances, that was something I was incredibly thankful for. In fact, the bag performed well enough that I later purchased another one of the same model for travel and location work. I continue to use both bags. For hiking trips, long drives, and flights where I need to carry gear safely, it has proven to be a reliable and durable option.
While the BAGSMART backpack has become my more durable travel bag, the camera bag I often reach for during portrait sessions today and have for years (even before bagsmart) is from House of Flynn.
These bags have a completely different style compared to many traditional camera bags. They are beautifully designed and have a much more fashionable look while still functioning well for photography work. What I appreciate most about this bag is how well it keeps my equipment organized while still being easy to carry during sessions. It comfortably holds my camera body, several lenses, and even my laptop when needed.
For portrait sessions such as family portraits, senior sessions, or shoots like the horse barn session (shown here), it allows me to keep everything I need close by while moving around the location. It is a great example of how a camera bag can combine both function and style.
Photographers often spend a great deal of time researching cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment. These tools are essential for creating the images we deliver to clients. But the bag that carries all of that equipment is just as important. Whether traveling to a national park, flying across the country, or simply driving to a portrait session, photographers depend on their camera bags to keep their equipment protected and organized. The experience we had on the highway was an unexpected reminder that accidents can happen at any time. Sometimes the gear that matters most is the gear that protects everything else.
That day was a powerful reminder of how quickly unexpected things can happen. As photographers we spend so much time thinking about cameras, lenses, lighting, and creative decisions that it is easy to overlook the importance of the equipment that protects everything we carry. A well built camera bag may seem like a small detail, but it plays an important role in protecting the tools that make photography possible.
After the accident and once my equipment had been inspected, I eventually returned to photographing sessions for the rest of the season, even while recovering from a concussion. The lenses and camera bodies that had been in the bag that day continued to work perfectly. I photographed families, seniors, and portrait sessions throughout the remainder of the year without any issues.
Since then I have upgraded some pieces of my gear as my photography work has continued to grow. At the same time, several of those original lenses remain part of my kit today and are still used regularly during portrait sessions. Good equipment, when cared for properly, is designed to last for many years. Experiences like this simply remind photographers how important it is to protect the tools we rely on to do our work.
Traveling to new locations, exploring beautiful places, and photographing meaningful moments are all part of life as a photographer. Experiences like this serve as a reminder that protecting the equipment we depend on is just as important as choosing the right camera or lens.
Sometimes the gear that matters most is the gear that keeps everything else safe.
If you are thinking about scheduling family portraits, senior photos, engagement photos, or another portrait session along the southern Maine coastline, I would love to help create something meaningful for you.
Portrait sessions are designed to feel relaxed and natural while capturing authentic moments and beautiful light.
You can learn more about my portrait sessions or inquire about booking through the link below.
