A Woman’s guide to the Best Camera bags for women (2023)
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This is a post I have been dying to create for years. There is a lot of information out there written by men on the best camera bags for women, and I wanted to create a resource written by a woman that knows how these camera bags really work.
Fortunately, I’ve been in the field shooting in many different genres for the past 20 years (I started young). I’ve had great camera bags and I’ve had some bad ones.
I may have gone a little overboard in my search for the perfect camera bags for women, but now I get to share that information with my fellow ladies!
Photography has been my way of life forever and having a great stylish camera bag designed for ease of use is so incredibly important when you want to look like a pro, and be able to get the shot without having to shuffle around to grab your camera gear.
I’ve chosen the following camera bags for women based on ease of use, functionality and style. My aim is to show you a range of styles so that you can find what you need no matter the genre you’re shooting in or what stage of life you’re in (hello moms!).
Some of the best camera bags for women are….
1. Christie Noir
Ok, so if you want a powerhouse of a camera bag that also makes you look amazing, this is it!
This sweet little gem has it all. The space for a taller lens and a camera, the dividers, the style (that is lacking in most camera bags), the ability to be a shoulder bag and a backpack too.
It also has a zipper top, which to me is one of the most important details when I’m travelling. I need to know I’m not just going to have expensive gear falling out or getting hijacked when I’m not paying attention.
This is one of my favorite bags. I’ve taken it abroad and it has proven time and time again to be a gorgeous bag that has all the elements you need as a photographer.
This is the camera bag for women that I wish more companies would create. Thankfully Gatta is ON IT..[More]
2. Jackie Noir
Ok, so if you want a powerhouse of a camera bag that also makes you look amazing, this is it!
This sweet little gem has it all. The space for a taller lens and a camera, the dividers, the style (that is lacking in most camera bags), the ability to be a shoulder bag and a backpack too.
It also has a zipper top, which to me is one of the most important details when I’m traveling. I need to know I’m not just going to have expensive gear falling out or getting hijacked when I’m not paying attention.
This is one of my favorite bags. I’ve taken it abroad and it has proven time and time again to be a gorgeous bag that has all the elements you need as a photographer.
This is the camera bag for women that I wish more companies would create. Thankfully Gatta is ON IT..[More]
3. The Dakota Backpack
This little bag was gifted to me by my husband for mother’s day, and it really is perfect for life as a photographer and a mom. I have been able to carry my camera, lenses, and accessories as well as diapers and snacks. Â
The ability to switch this little gem to either crossbody or backpack is so valuable, both on location for a shoot when you need both hands, or lugging around a baby.
Their’s also the added benefit that it’s flippin cute, and no one would guess it’s my camera bag with little optional slots to add my gear. [More]
4. Meliae chic camera bag
It’s hard to find a purse at this price point for the quality, but even harder to find one that doubles as a low-key stylish camera bag for women.
It’s small enough to throw over your shoulder or use the longer strap as a cross body. There are resizable inserts so that you can pack your camera gear as long as you’re packing a bit lighter. Hey, I’m all for that!
This purse really doesn’t look like a camera bag, it’s more of a stylish camera purse. [More]
5. Catania Tan Camera Bag
You may not be able to find another camera bag out there with so much style and personality as a bag from Epiphanie. I am obsessed with these camera bags.
They are designed to be easy to use and useful while you shoot, but they also make you look professional with a personality at the same time.
You’ve got all the space you need for lenses and a camera body as well as little pockets for your accessories, keys and phone.
Their inserts are removable so you can still use these camera bags as your purse if you want to.
I did exactly that while travelling in Italy. On shoot days, I added the insert, and when going out at night, I just left the camera gear and opted for a normal purse. It was perfect as a travel option. [More]
6. The Gatta Organizer
If you’ve been photographing for any amount of time, you know that camera gear and the photography profession comes with a lot of cords. Fortunately, there is a chic solution out there, and once you get it, you’ll be shocked that you ever did anything else.
These little organizers are able to hold all of my charger cords, my camera charger, a harddrive and my graphic tablet and pen. No more purse or bag full of cords, because it’s all been beautifully organized in advance. [More]
7. The Utility Camera Bag for Women
For my boss photographers out there, that need a much more comprehensive camera bag, it truly doesn’t get better than this.
I actually invested in some really incredible utility airport approved (pack all the stuff) camera bags, and they were NOT designed for women.
Quite honestly, many of the photography sites and blogs only show pictures with men using their camera bags, and they really are catered towards males with the sizing and the weight.
I know we are all shaped differently, but as a 5’9″ woman that’s ranged anywhere from 120-160lbs (due to pregnancy), I feel like I should be able to comfortably carry even the bags catered towards men. Not so.
That was however, until I found the Think Tank, Airport Commuter bag. This bag is everything. EVERYTHING. I do not go on a photography trip without it.
I will often pack this sucker up, and use one of my other bags as a day pack, but this commuter bag allows me to bring all the gear and keep it safe.
It’s small enough that even though it gets heavier fully packed, it’s not too much. That and it actually feels comfortable for my frame to wear.
I highly recommend checking this one out if you dont have a camera bag, or you’re planning to travel with all the things. This was also the bag that I packed for weddings, and just had a ton of backup gear (and snacks) packed away…[More]
8. My favorite stylish camera bag
If you’re wanting one of the best camera bags for women, then I would say that it needs to be both a stylish camera bag and a functional camera bag. This bag is the best of both worlds.Â
It’s the Peak Design Everyday Totepack.
The Peak Design Everyday Totepack is a camera bag that has a ton of room and storage options. It has a laptop compartment and fits your dslr camera gear.
It is really one of the best camera bag options out there.Â
This is a bag that feels professional, serious, and is still very stylish and offers great utility options.
It’s designed to work as an everyday carry backpack or totepack as well as a camera backpack and totepack.  …[More]
Excellent article! Thank you for putting together such a great list.