It was late August. My husband and I were planning a quick weekend getaway to Seattle. I’ve never been, and I was dying to see (and photograph) the Space Needle! My mind was racing. The first thing I was thinking about was, “What gear do I bring?” Of course, my first thought was to bring everything, including the kitchen sink! But really, how practical is that?

To avoid the hassle of baggage claim, we decided to carry on a backpack full of our necessities for our three-day adventure, leaving me a small bag/purse to fit all my gear into.

Thanks to our friends at Jo Totes, I had the perfect bag. They sent us the Allison Camera Bag a few weeks earlier, so I thought what better way to review a bag than to put it to the ultimate test…getting through airport security.

This bag worked like a dream! I was able to pack all the gear necessary for our little getaway!

I had room for my D7000 with small lens attached, my 55-300mm zoom lens, and my mini tripod. Plus, I was even able to fit my iPhone, wallet, extra memory cards, and a snack to boot!

One thing I try to avoid when traveling is the appearance of carrying a lot of expensive photo gear. What I love about this bag is that even though it was packed to the gills, it still felt like a large purse.

Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not just for travel. I love this bag for everyday use as well. With pockets galore, it has a place for everything! There’s a pocket on the back that’s great for thinner items like coupons, receipts, or even my Kindle for afternoons in the park with my nieces.

The quality is fantastic, and I love the antique gold accents in the hardware.

But, what I love the most is on the inside. Unlike some fabrics that tend to catch on things, the fabric in this bag is especially nice when sliding gear in and out. Plus, it’s very well padded. A very important quality when talking about expensive photo gear.

So, if you’ll be doing any traveling this holiday season, or you would just like a great everyday bag, the Allison Camera Bag is a great choice and very reasonably priced. This aqua color has been discontinued, but it’s available in a very stylish black. Check it out!