Joseph Szymanski’s Story

Sep. 212018 . Category:business, Encourage, growth, Guest Blog, How Do You HoldFast?, photography

From the get-go, HoldFast’s allegiance lies in this: steadfast dedication to professional photographers and the systems they utilize. Committed to paving the way, HoldFast gear accentuates style while also performing comfortably and efficiently. Responsible for creating a new genre within the industry, we’re changing the way photographers look and feel while doing their best work.

In this series, you’ll hear stories of HoldFast gear and the photographers–the pioneers, the adventurers, the originals–that use them. This is How You HoldFast.

Joseph Szymanski is the ultimate street photographer. For the last 25 years, he’s been shooting life as it happens, first in Michigan, where he was raised, and now in San Francisco. “I’d say the majority of what I shoot could be classified as traditional street work. I like to cover local events around San Francisco as well, with all the political stuff happening these days, there’s a lot going on,” Syzmanski says.

Syzmanski is a film photographer that received a BFA in Documentary Photography at Academy of Art in San Francisco, where he now teaches. He came across HoldFast in his search for street photography-centric camera bags.

“I’m always amazed at how ugly modern camera bags are. Call me shallow, but we are photographers after all; how things look are important,” Szymanski explains.

In looking for a bag that could serve him for the long haul, Szymanski says HoldFast Gear stuck out to him immediately.

“I was looking for a new everyday carry after literally wearing holes through my old Domke bag. Modern camera bags really bore me, they’re poorly made and often make you look like a target on the street. I was impressed with the style of all of HoldFast’s products immediately, initially drawn by the Fundy Streetwise bag. I took a chance on it,” shares Szymanski. When his order arrived in the mail, he says he realized one thing and it totally sold him: “It was pretty much bullet proof.”

Designed by HoldFast’s Owner Matthew Swaggart and avid street photographer Andrew “Fundy” Funderberg, The HoldFast + Fundy Streetwise bag was created to service the photographer who’s out there hitting the nitty gritty streets around the world. At the time of its inception, there were no bags that allowed photographers to have direct access to their mirrorless camera, either in the bag or on a strap outside it, let alone a bag that could both provide access and be discreet. As a standalone shoulder bag, or one worn with the Money Maker, the Fundy Streetwise bag was exactly the solution that Szymanski had been looking for.

“I took a chance on it and was really impressed with the build quality. I really dug the interior, the ability to reconfigure partitions, and the modular aspect of some of the features,” Szymanski says. It’s been the go to everyday carry he was hoping for for the last several years. He’s also able to use it with the Money Maker and other HoldFast accessories he purchased shortly after his Fundy Streetwise bag.

“I invested in a small Roamographer, something a little more formal to carry into the office and the school, and purchased a Money Maker as a next logical step.

While the Money Maker isn’t something he sports all that often, Szymanski says the fact that everything works seamlessly together put him at a huge advantage when out shooting.

He explains: “the fact that it all functions pretty much as one system is amazing. Even between the different collections and styles, it all just sort of fits together at the end of the day.” Szymanski also boasts a set of Sightseer Lens Pouches, an Explorer Wallet and Lens Pouch, as well as a large Cell Pouch. “Like most creative people, I can be finicky, so what works on a Tuesday may not work on a Wednesday. It’s nice to be able to switch things up and know it’ll all fit together one way or another. I love modular systems and everything just seems to work together.”

On top of which, says Szymanski, it all looks good.

“Someone finally made a camera bag with some class and style. That’s huge for me. Built to last with a great look to it? That’s key.”

The craftsmanship and quality of HoldFast Gear is what sets it apart from other gear, according to Szymanski.

“I’m terribly hard on gear. If I’m worried it’s going to break, leak, fail, wear out, or generally not perform in any way, it’s of no use to me. Absolutely fell in love with that bag; perfectly functional, beautifully made, love the aesthetic,” Szymanski says. “I don’t have to think about it. It feels right and it looks right. I don’t have to worry about how or what I’m carrying–I can focus on making photographs.

“I’m also a big fan of gear that will out live me, and I’m pretty sure all my HoldFast gear will be around long after I’m gone.”

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