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.
It goes without saying that a lot goes into capturing the ‘perfect’ shot. Everything from lighting to environment to cooperation from the subject you’re shooting are all factors in crystallizing those timeless moments that pass all too quickly. But before the composition and the lighting come into play, your gear has to work, or all that time and effort spent setting up the ideal shot will go to waste. Tree & Jos of Wood + Smith and JOS studios know how vital it is to have the right gear.
Based in Portland but internationally traveled and recognized, the WoodSmiths had used a bevy of other camera gear throughout their combined 25 year careers–Jos has been shooting for over 15 years, Tree for almost 10. Nothing seemed to hold up.
“We’ve used many other systems that are ugly, clumsy, and fall apart. Other systems have frustrated our minds which is a huge enemy for performance.”
After spotting HoldFast at an Oregon trade show, they realized what a valuable thing they’d potentially found in The Money Maker, and the possibility that the gear would actually solve problems for them, not create them.
“The first time we saw them at Mystic Seminars we realized how functional and elegant they are. We tried them on and immediately fell in love with them and haven’t stopped wearing them since. Functional. Handmade. Statement pieces, oh and one more… timeless! They are the perfect fit for us,” the WoodSmiths explain.
The husband and wife team each sport a Money Maker, their inaugural HoldFast purchases with what they say is a dream of lots of HoldFast gear as part of their arsenal. Jos also has the Explorer Wallet, equally as useful: “Jos finds the wallet very helpful with storing critical memory cards when we are traveling, not to mention his cell phone, passport, and bank cards,” Tree says.
“We love our leather Money Makers. They are “high speed, low drag” in so many ways. They offer quick reach to two cameras simultaneously, and are fashionable and functional. We shoot it all–weddings, portraits, events and more–and wear our Money Makers either on a wedding, travel, or a commercial shoot, all the time.”
Money Makers are designed with a clip that exists to connect a photographer’s camera to the actually strap. The main clip is designed to improve upon the clip that is used to attach the sail to a boat. Such clips have to be extremely strong by supporting the full wind pressure exerted on a sail, while also able to be untangled quickly in case ropes are tangled and need to be unclipped and reattached at a moment’s notice. Money Maker clips are modified to add a swivel and a longer pin draw in addition to a stronger spring that adds considerable durability.
The clips have proved to be a part of why the WoodSmiths love their Money Makers so much. “The way the Money Makers swivel at the base of our camera offers a fluid and adaptable movement for quick access to our cameras. We also love the fact that there is a safety strap attached to the camera,” they point out. Each clip on the Money Maker has a removable safety strap that connect at the base of the clip and to the side lug mount of the camera; by bypassing the screw and clip, the safety strap ensures that if there were any malfunction, the camera would still be clipped in, and, in essence, safe. No need to spend any time wondering if your camera’s going to be safe from falling. HoldFast has that totally covered.
The WoodSmiths have put this claim to the test. “This give us confidence in moving assertively with our gear. We run all the time with our Money Makers and never have a problem. And did we tell you how awesome it is to be able to walk through a crowded reception room and push the cameras back behind us with our hands and give us more narrow walking room? We can go anywhere with them!”
The Money Maker system–designed for a one, two, or three camera carry–while at the forefront of functional gear, is also designed with form in mind. HoldFast believes that form and function are not mutually exclusive, and designs all of its products to not only perform well, but look good too.
“We are wedding photographers who have to be on our game all the time in form and function. The Money Makers are a conversation piece that helps us build dialog with our clients and makes us memorable. They are like a statement piece, almost becoming part of our brand, and the handmade element just really goes with our style and what we are all about,” Tree explains. “We get comments on them all the time and share the HoldFast name often. HoldFast is the answer! It’s such a unique system that makes us feel like we can do our job best and in style. It frees us up to be more present with our clients. HoldFast gives us more mental bandwidth to problem solve the most important things like composition, lighting, and capture fleeting precious moments.”
Contact Info
◦ Website: www.josstudios.com / www.woodandsmith.com
◦ Instagram: josstudios / FB JOS studios
◦Email address:tree@josstudios / jos@josstudios.com
