ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thank-You Everyone for your tips and comments. I am going to look at Walmart for something simple and practical. I'll have a big dslr and monopod and I'll have a press pass so folks will get it. I am definitely going to buy one of those black "Event Photographer" T-Shirts too. Love that idea. Good for my family events too :-) This forum is THE BEST!!

genesampson

I see some of the vests linked above cost $120 or more. Check out Amazon and pay less than $30 for something just as functional. I was nicknamed "Pockets" on one Africa trip, but I had all my SD cards, batteries, filters, remote, etc. Fishing/Photo vests as well as fishing/hiking/safari shirts and pants are pretty much interchangeable as well. These are go to for me whether hiking in the mountains or on an African Safari. They pack small, are light weight and dry quickly. OK I'm off topic, sorry.

https://www.amazon.com/Gihuo-Leisure-Outdoor-Pockets-Journalist/dp/B073SV9PRX/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1542295143&sr=8-6&keywords=Fishing+vest

https://www.amazon.com/Alipolo-Outdoor-Multifunction-Multi-Pocket-Journalists/dp/B00YZSMQ5K/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1542295360&sr=8-14&keywords=Photo+vest

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes, I regularly wear a vest at sporting events. In fact, the only time I don't is when it gets REALLLY hot (upwards of 95F).

For that purpose, I DO NOT buy photo vests. Instead I go to Walmart or Big 5 Sports and buy a fishing vest. $15 to $20 and they work fine holding extra batteries, memory card cases, business cards, cell phone, etc. etc. etc. The $15 Walmart fishing vests wear out after 2 years. As a result, I've never had to wash them... by the time it starts to smell funky, I've worn holes in the pockets anyway. So I just throw it away and replace it.

The last time my local Wallymart didn't have the really cheap, lightweight vests in stock, so I ended up buying a bit more expensive ($20-$25) vest at Big 5 instead. It seems a bit better made and likely will last 3 or 4 years, so I may have to empty all the pockets and launder it once or twice At most events it's filled with 6 or 8 spare batteries, 2 or 3 Pelican memory card cases, a handful of biz cards, micro fiber lens cleaning cloths, Kleenex, snack bars and string cheese, cell phone (set to silent), and more. Pockets aren't large enough for lenses or spare cameras.

If you get a fishing vest, they often don't have the open mesh like photo vests do... might even have a double layer of cloth on the back to provide a pocket. Just buy a bit larger size so it's loose fitting to provide some cooling in hotter weather.

One thing different with fishing vests is that most have a little patch sewn on as a place to store extra lures and hooks. That's the only thing that gives it away, that it's not a "perfessional photographer's vest". It's simple to remove, if that bothers you.

I also have another rig: A Lowepro belt and vest that ARE designed for photography. It's fitted with assorted modular pockets that I use to store and carry my macro gear (two lenses, ring lite, twin light, flash bracket and a few other accessories).

BTW, an old pro I worked with for many years at a newspaper ALWAYS wore his photo vest. I don't think I ever saw him without it... even when he was at lunch or working in the darkroom! (I hope he had several... But if he did, they were all identical.)

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

Go get a 1940-50's Clark Kent kinda Hat [Fedora] put your press pass in the hat band.
Tah dah your a pro.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

In smaller planes they should weigh everything, including YOU. Actual weight of everything except the bare plane, and its location in the plane, can make a difference in whether it gets off the ground or not (worse case) and in how it responds to the controls. It is decidedly in your interest NOT to cheat on weight.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I wore one in the past, Pat. (The distant past). That was before lenses got so big and heavy and I carried a ton of filters with me. I see that there are some "good ones" available. Good luck.

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

For some years I used a multipocketed travel vest. But then a few years ago I decided to go more pro looking, and the fact that since my surgery (5 years ago) I can't bear any significant weight on my neck, I bought a Domke vest with lots of pockets. As others have mentioned, when the temperature/humidity is too high I use one of my roll around cases if I need to bring extra gear. And yes, I made my own generic event photographer/all access/parking ID!

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

Get a fishing vest. You can get e good one for about 40 bucks at Cabella's. Unless you have a really large lens, it will probably meet your needs.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

There is a term called "propriety" which means conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct, appearance, behavior, speech, etc. When you think of doctor you envision a someone wearing a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck. A fireman brings the image of them wearing their firefighting gear, a patrolman wears a uniform with a badge. If I said a used-car salesman, I bet you have an image in your mind that may be unflattering and not trustworthy.

I mention this because 'looking like a professional photographer' at a sporting event also imparts an image in one's mind also. I may be old fashioned, or just old, but I don't think you could go wrong wearing a photographer's vest or something like it. I also believe that it will provide some peace of mind to parents knowing that you are a professional photographing their children and not some weird-o.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Thank-You, Zactly what I was thinking. Not trying to be a poser. Just want it to be clear to people why I'm there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Two possibilities below. The ScotteVest is great for anytime use, but an actual photographer's vest will let everyone at the game know that you're the photographer. I got a nice one from Travelsmith, but they don't seem to have them now. On the Scott site, hold the cursor over a vest, and you'll see all the pockets. The prices have gone up since I got mine.

The ScotteVest is good for daily wear - lots of storage.

https://www.bigpockets.com/catalog/big-pockets-equatorial-vest
https://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_men.shtml

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I just looked and mine is the Humvee by CampCo... Oh, and it looks as though the tags have been removed...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/196102-REG/Humvee_by_CampCo_HMV_VS_K_L_Safari_Photo_Vest_Large.html

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Oh, and some of those big-school league high school players are HUGE.
Largest said to be 7 foot, 440 lbs. But not too fast--you probably can get out
of the way.
Not to be taken lightly.....am currently nursing a broken leg,taken out by players at a rugby league game 6 weeks ago.While we were photographing said game....

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I had a few close calls with line drive foul balls back when I shot Little League baseball...

Todd G

I just bought one and love it for hiking. Can have stuff in pockets and don't have to keep taking off my camera backpack. Works around town if I don't want to keep going into the camera bag and different zippers.