While hiking the Inca Trail two years ago, I found that carrying my SLR camera had become a real hassle. Prior to that, I had resigned myself to the fact that if you want to take great photos, you have to carry the equipment that goes with it. But in Peru, it became more burdensome than ever before. Maybe it was the 14,000’ climb over Dead Woman’s Pass. Illogical questions ran through my head as to how I was going to balance my walking stick and take a photo, or hold my camera and get my water bottle from my day-pack. Needless to say, I didn’t venture into my day-pack to dig out my tour book to read about the different historical sites.

I became acutely aware that I needed either another hand or some way to secure my camera so that when I wasn’t using it, I could do other things. But I still wanted to have the camera quickly and easily accessible. When I returned home, I immediately started brainstorming the ideal gadget.

One criteria was that the design had to be universal to a multitude of camera bodies and lenses.

Since the only thing universal to camera bodies is the tripod hole and the only thing universal to lenses is a lens cap (not the style, just the cap itself), that’s where the design started.

A second criteria was that the gadget had to be simple to use. Not only was it necessary to go from the hands-free position to the ready position in a split second, but it had to be easy and universal to wear.
I spent hours reading blogs and forums where other photographers had experienced the same problem. The most common wish list item was to some how incorporate the use of a backpack.

So the mission statement for the ideal gadget was established. Design a device to safely secure a camera/lens of most any size and shape using a backpack of any size and shape and be able to snap a photo in a split second. And so the challenge began.

The first prototype started with wire and elastic, buttons, and screws. As one design feature was conquered, another issue surfaced. With every improvement, there was a drawback.

Many versions evolved with many materials and designs. My garage became my work shop. My husband drilled holes and slots into pieces of plastic and I sewed materials of all shapes and sizes together. And every prototype required testing.

I tested the unit by walking and taking photos on my street. From there I moved on to hiking on trails and then climbing over logs and boulders and across streams. I tested the prototypes while snowshoeing and biking. I tested it indoors and outdoors, in crowds and all alone. And after two years of tests and redesigns, the ideal gadget was finally created, the - The KEYHOLE™ Hands-Free Camera Harness.

What began as a way to protect my camera while hiking up Dead Woman’s Pass, has evolved into an innovative camera carrying practice. And what used to be a necessary burden and hassle has now become an enjoyable experience. It was well worth the uphill climb!

For more details on the KEYHOLE™ Hands-Free Camera Harness, please visit www.backcountrysolutions.com.