Our hope is that you’ll be proud of your bag because of the compliments you get and how long it lasts. But our deeper hope is that you join our community of those nurturing the vulnerable and loving the unloved. We do more than just quality leather bags; we do quality in all areas of our business.
Our purpose is not to change the world by loving orphans, single moms and ex-prisoners one at a time. It’s to work with a Love 41 community/family of loving and nurturing people to do it. If you want to but you’re not sure how, then join us on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter to learn more. We’ll help you get plugged in.
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● Can it be worn across the chest for easy access and converted to a backpack for trekking?
● Is it insulative so batteries and gear don’t quickly freeze or get damaged with heat?
● Would you use it as your everyday carry when not taking pictures?
● Does it enhance the way you look as a photographer?
● Can you leave it unbuckled or unzipped for hours without gear falling out because it has a flap?
● Would someone ever paint it into a painting?
● Is it photogenic? Would it ever be the subject of the photograph in Venice or out in nature?
● Is it classy?
● Is it attractive? Does it attract the eye of others?
● Does it get better looking the longer you have it? Or does it age like milk.
● Would your grandchildren fight over it when you’re dead?
● Would it enhance your photos if it were in the shot? Or be photoshopped out like a piece of trash.
● Does anyone compliment you on how good looking it is?
● Does it make you look better?
● Does it reflect who you are?
● Does your other camera bag age like fine wine? or like old milk?
● Are you excited about it? Or it is boring.
● Are you proud of it?
● Are you emotionally attached to it?
● Would you miss it if you lost the bag itself?
● Does it look like it has stories to tell?
● Do you ever intentionally rough it up to make it look better?
● Will people take pictures of your camera bag?
● Would people ask to borrow your camera bag empty?
● Has it ever brought you joy and enhanced your life?
● Will this ever be said about it? “This was your grandfather’s or grandmother’s camera bag and now it’s yours.
● What about protection if I drop it? My other camera bag has a lot of foam in it.
○ Let the padding on the bottom be a small blanket or light sweatshirt for just in case situations.
● But it’s not big enough for all of my gear.
○ It’s not meant to hold ALL of your gear. Do you only have one pair of shoes? Leave the 35 lb. camera bag in the hotel room and carry this for smaller fun outings or on long treks.
● What about dust and rain getting in? Buckle it down and it’ll be fine. You’re overthinking it unless you’re using it in the blowing sands of the Sahara. Then just put a t-shirt on top of it and then buckle it down. And don’t carry it through waterfalls.
● Why did you rename it the Photographer’s Satchel?
○ 15 years ago, it was named The Medium Satchel. 10 years ago, I redesigned it for more comfort and renamed it The Rounded Satchel. Since so many photographers buy it and send in great photos of it, and because it’s what our photographers and videographers personally carry at Saddleback, it became obvious and appropriate that it be renamed The Photographer’s Satchel.
● Even a cheap crap lens costs more than this bag, which is a key part of your gear.
● It’s cheaper to buy one bag than replace bags for the rest of your life.
● Don’t mess up other people’s photos with your ugly or boring camera bag.
● Two bags in one. Most camera bags are dedicated to being used for only cameras, but this is a fashion accessory meant to be used for daily use when not out shooting.
● Photographers are drawn to beautiful and interesting things to capture so others can enjoy them too. Why would you own a not beautiful or interesting camera bag?
● We pay more money to have a room with a beautiful view. We spend a lot of time and money to drive or fly to beautiful, faraway nature or look into the Grand Canyon and then return home. We take a lot of time and effort to hide powerlines, cords, trash, and other things that aren’t natural or that just don’t fit. Creatives love good-looking things. That’s why they congregate in beautiful places and paint or photograph beautiful things. Why would a photographer carry an ugly camera bag on their side unless they just couldn’t find a beautiful one? You now have no excuse.
I Get A-Round - Rounded Leather Satchel from Saddleback Leather Co.
Works really well as a rugged women's bag! I'm 5'2" and it's not too big, but it's roomy enough for a decent amount of stuff. I did replace the strap with a softer lighter fabric one and now it's perfect (the original strap was too long for me and also probably weighs a pound all by itself). The body of the bag is not too heavy or onerous to carry. I think it'll be a great travel bag especially because of the backpack option. Also a nice mom bag for the same reason, hands free option. Also sits well on the shoulder and crossbody. It reminds me of the small Saddleback briefcase (now discontinued) except more minimal and therefore lighter weight, so I think it's actually better !
I bought the Chestnut bag in February of 2013. I still use it as my daily satchel. The swivel got a little bit out of round about a month ago, and I simply hammered it more closed. Good to go... I did call Saddleback and they offered to fix, but I did it myself, since I can't be without my bag for long. Still get compliments after 8 years. Yep, it's amazing!
I took this bag as my "purse, backpack, carryon" on a trip to Western Australia, 3 years ago. It was perfect as a backpack, when running through airports to make the connections on the 42-hour trip. It was perfect as a backpack while riding bikes on Rottnest Island (a photo which won me Dave's photo contest that year). And it drew endless compliments from men & women alike, when I carried it as both a crossbody and as a handbag (better in that role when without the strap). It is beefy and beautiful and looks even better today than it did back then. Can't wait to take it back to WA and on more adventures! Male or female, this is one you'll be grateful to have on hand, when a briefcase is too big but a clutch or Fanny pack (I can't believe those have made a comeback...but this instead. You'll look infinitely more cool, I promise.) doesn't cut it. Brilliant comeback, Dave. Good things really do come Back around.
