Theron Tan’s Story

Jul. 62018 . 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.

They say when you know, you know. No one’s found this to be more true than Theron Tan, the photographer behind the eponymous studio. For 15 years, Tan has been shooting weddings, mostly solo. It took years of inconvenient, uncomfortable gear set ups for Tan to realize there needed to be a change.

“I’m a wedding photographer and used to shooting solo. Having two cameras on me at all times became my thing. Back in the day I used individual traditional camera straps,” Tan says. “They’d bang against each other as I fought and struggled to keep them from sliding off my shoulders. My back hurt, my shoulders got chaffed, you know the story!”

The change Tan was searching for came when he came across the HoldFast website.

“When I found your Holdfast Gear online I was immediately drawn to the styling. That was the first thing that caught my eye. Within two minutes of seeing the Money Maker’s functionality and styling options, it was a no brainer,” Tan explains.

He purchased a Mahogany American Bison Money Maker, an aesthetic and look completely opposite of what a photographer might find in a similar solution.

“In a world where 99% of the products on the market at the time were black nylon based, HoldFast Gear was completely different.” Tan says the investment he made in purchasing the Money Maker was well worth the price, and not just because it was stylish. “The first wedding I shot with the Money Maker back was the game-changing moment. At the end of the day, I had no back or shoulder pain.”

By distributing the weight of the cameras across the small of the back on either side. Designed to be worn higher up on the body, the Money Maker then allows cameras to naturally hang behind the midline, just around the belt area. This relieves the pressure one might feel in their lower back from the typical camera strap–even when carrying multiple camera bodies.

“I’ve been using mine for years now. Easily carrying two camera bodies allows me to also attach two lenses with others in a bag close by. This allows for fewer interruptions, a more fluid shoot, and more interaction with my clients,” Tan says.

Being able to carry two camera bodies with ease is important to Tan, but the overall practicality of the Money Maker is something he also really appreciates. Tan has since purchased a Camera Leash as well as a Sightseer Cell Pouch to add to his HoldFast collection. Having his gear directly on his person where he can easily access it as he needs to is incredibly beneficial as well.

“It beats similar products hands-down in terms of styling, functionality and comfort. Just this weekend I shot a 10 hour wedding with zero pain, zero struggles. Put the Money Maker on, secure my cameras and I’m good to go.”

“I recommend your products at every chance I get. I even get compliments at every wedding on how great my camera strap looks. Who would ever think that would be the type of compliment a photographer would get?”