Walker Studio’s Story

Aug. 252018 . 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 two is better than one, which is probably part of the reason why Amy Guerrette and Kay Nass created Walker Studios as a pair. That, and the fact that they’re also sisters. The Hamden, Connecticut photographers founded their studio over seven years ago, shooting mostly weddings, but capturing the occasional engagement and family sessions in between.

Guerrette had been, what she calls, ‘stalking’, the Money Maker for a year or so ago. “I saw HoldFast before I heard about it, then I did some digging, and found the brand that I was stalking. Once I asked around, it was a unanimous–“Oh! You mean the MoneyMaker, yea I have one of those!”

“I’d seen photographers rocking this beast of a camera holster, and I fell in love at first sight.”Guerrette says she went online and added the Money Maker to her cart in the HoldFast shop, but didn’t pull the trigger right away. Both Guerrette and Nass continued to admire from afar.

“One fateful wedding day”, Guerrette says, “after fighting ridiculously with twisted straps from two different cameras wrapped around my neck and shoulders, I had finally had enough. I turned around to tell Kay it was time to purchase a Money Maker, and there she was: de-tangling her necklace from the camera strap around her neck,” Guerette explains. “It was impeccable timing.”

“Before the Money Maker, we used traditional around the neck camera straps, but once your booking numbers for the year increase two times over, you realize cameras and the affixed lenses are not light pieces of equipment,” says Guerrette.

The sisters purchased two Money Makers, both the Black Water Buffalo Skinny Money Maker, in addition to a Sightseer Lens Pouch in black. The size and fit of the Skinny Money Maker was a game-changer.

“The skinny straps fit so perfectly. It’s snazzy, comfortable, efficient, durable, and useful all in one. The smooth, leathery “X” sits PERFECTLY in between my shoulder blades distributing weight evenly across my back–and that certainly made Kay’s chiropractor happy too”

Since purchasing Money Makers over a year ago, Guerette says that the necessity of the gear only grows stronger, and when she doesn’t sport the Money Maker for a session or wedding, she misses it terribly.

Prior to investing in their first pieces of HoldFast Gear, Guerette and Nass both literally wrestled with their camera setups to try to get them to work for them, not against them. Now, they have everything they need–extra lenses included–right on them, and it’s made their job not only easier, but also better for their clients because they’re able to adapt to their surroundings, without worrying for a single second that their gear is up to the challenge.

“Doesn’t matter if I’m climbing a tree for a pretty epic shot, running through parking lots up three flights of stairs and into the bridal suite for a forgotten bouquet, or just strolling through the gardens during cocktail hour, the Money Maker always sits EXACTLY where it is supposed to with no argument whatsoever,” Guerrette shares. “One time I even slipped backwards off a stone ledge, and somehow found myself leaping over a pond and caught onto a stone wall on the other side of the water without dropping a single piece of equipment in the water. I swear my Money Maker gave me wings for a minute.”

In addition to protecting her gear, Guerette says the built in functionality of the D-rings on the Money Maker have been a huge help as well.

“The extra D-rings in the front of the Money Maker, and actual clips on the ends, have held endless amounts of gear; from actual camera bodies and lenses, to water bottles, hats, cellphones, retractable pens, and, from time to time, I actually roll up the paper with my “Formal Shots List” and stick it in those D rings right on my shoulder for a quick grab. The uses are endless.”

When asked why she purchased a Money Maker, Guerrette didn’t even hesitate.

“Why WOULDN’T I purchase the Money Maker? It allows me to focus on my work throughout the day, and not where I put down my camera or lens. There is not a moment in the hustle and bustle of a wedding day when I worry about the safety of my gear.”

Guerrette and Nass put their trust in their gear wholeheartedly now. “The ease of switching between cameras now is amazing. I pick up one, and literally DROP the other if necessary. That’s how much trust there is between me and my Water Buffalo straps. I trust the Money Maker to hug my cameras close to my side and never let them go, and so far, they haven’t let me down.”

“The Money Maker certainly outshines any camera holster I’ve seen or used. And to top things off, the website, customer service, and reviews I’ve found on HoldFast were icing on the cake after I pulled that fine leather trigger and bought my first Money Maker,” Guerrette says proudly.

“I pressed order on my cart at HoldFast and never looked back…except maybe to laugh at how long it took me to make the best decision of my life.”