It’s my opinion that photographers focus too much on buying the latest and greatest piece of gear. They just have to have the newly released camera body, lens, strobe, light modifier, whatever whatever. It’s bullshit. We forget so quickly that the camera we’re currently holding in our hands, was at one point that same cutting edge shiny object of desire. Admittedly, I too fell prey to the slippery slope of gear acquisition. Well, I can’t possibly do a shoot without 4 camera bodies, 13 lenses, and 35 storbes!! They are a must!! Nonsense. Obviously your gear needs to be at a certain level, but beyond that, it’s all just masterbation. Some of the most iconic images in the world were made decades ago with film cameras that today seem like dinosaurs. So why do you insist on having a 100 megapixel camera? One word: ego. The only other reason is to impress people/clients. Perhaps the most ridiculous example of this is the Hasselblad Ferrari camera. Really? Having that Ferrari logo on your camera doesn’t make you a better photographer. Back in the day I bought a bunch of Broncolor strobes at an exorbitant price. Don’t get me wrong, they are high performance machines, but they were purchased during a period where I was that very person I now ridicule. The thinking was, if clients see me using this top of the line gear, then they will think I’m top of the line. Craziness. You know what makes clients think you’re top of the line?? Beautiful images!! Since then, all of the unnecessary gear has been sold off, and my kit has been drastically downsized. I realized at some point that gear just gunks up your workflow and causes overthinking. Focus on the images, not the gear!!! The more free you are to be a photographer……..the better your photographs will be. Sounds dumb to even say out loud, but it’s true. Anyway. I’ve never done a review of any kind before, but when something truly helpful comes along, I like to share it with other people so they too can benefit.

Full disclosure - I was not asked or paid to do this review.

The Cotton Carrier G3 Harness is a product that I appreciate very much because it allows the photographer to focus on making images. I’m a physical shooter. Meaning that I like to be very involved in what it is I’m shooting. Sitting in a studio with a camera locked down on a tripod sounds like torture. The way I feel about a photo shoot is, if by the end, I’m not dirty, bloody, or tired, then chances are it wasn’t much fun. So the Cotton Carrier Harness is a no brainer. If you know what it feels like to regularly spend an entire day going back and forth between two cameras that hang from your shoulders, then the G3 is something you should pick up immediately. I recently purchased the G3 for a specific shoot that was a perfect test. I was photographing a cattle drive in the Wyoming backcountry, which involved me being on a horse for 12 horse and at least as many miles through extremely rugged terrain. The goal was to make images of the cowboys pushing 700 head of cattle across the vast landscape. The G3 made my day. Literally. I don’t think the shoot would have been possible without it. Hanging a camera across my neck/shoulder in the traditional manner wasn’t an option. Just being on a horse for that long is hard work. Then think about trying to control your camera while moving at fast paces on said horse. Not possible. With the G3 I was able to be completely and comfortably hands free until the camera was needed. And then, removing it from the holster was smooth and easy, as was putting it back in place.

The design was obviously thought through by someone that has spent countless hours in the field. My expectations for it were optimistic, but not high. After twelve hours in the saddle though, it exceeded everything I was hoping for. Perhaps the greatest asset of the G3 is the lens strap, which adds an additional layer of stability to the camera that keeps it from moving side to side or flapping up and down. Between it and the holster, your camera just sits still no matter what kind of movements you’re making. Without it, the system would be fine for casual strolls, but a 3/10 for physical shooters. On that same note, Cotton Carrier also added another layer of protection - the fall strap. In case something happens where your camera is knocked out of your hands, the strap prevents it from dropping/damage. And it’s a great length that never gets in the way. If I were to change anything about the system, it would be adding an attachment similar to the Peak Design system that allows instant attachment/detachment of straps. Instead of the archaic style that strap makers have been using since the beginning of time. Again, that’s sort of nitpicking, and not a big deal at all. It would be nice though.

Comfort of the actual vest/harness was also a concern prior to wearing. Would it fit oddly or rub/chafe in the wrong spots? Nope. It’s adjustable for different body sizes, and I can’t say I ever even thought about it throughout the day. Which is exactly what you want. The camera in the holster that day was a Sony mirrorless with an 85mm lens. Not exactly light or small, but the G3 handled it great. There is an option to buy an additional holster for a second camera, which would sit at or near your hip, but that wasn’t an option for this shoot. However, since using it that day, I can already see a long list of uses for it and the additional holster. On days where I’m shooting fly fishing, hunting, backpacking, or shooting more of this cowboy series from the ground, it will be incredibly helpful. Speaking from years and years of holding two camera straps on my shoulders, it gets exhausting. You’re constantly having to lift your shoulders/traps up to keep the straps in place. And contorting your body while bending over so the cameras don’t knock into each other, rocks, walls, railings, etc. The G3 solves all those problems and gives you more energy to keep shooting longer.

The things I photograph, are by design, things I love doing. This is another great advantage of having the G3 because you’re not forced to choose one over the other. If I’m out fly fishing or hunting, the harness allows easy access to the camera in a completely unobtrusive way. It wouldn’t impede my cast or shouldering a shotgun. That might be the biggest selling point for me, because there’s nothing worse than missing a shot when your camera is inside a backpack or 30 feet away. Additionally, it saves the camera from getting wet during activities like fishing/hunting because it doesn’t have to sit on the ground when you’re not using it.

Street photography is another genre that I engage in. Not commercially. Just for fun. Locally, but also while traveling. During international travel especially, I’ll be out all day from sunrise to sundown exploring new places by foot with a camera. Carrying extra weight for that many hours can be exhausting, which can lead to leaving the camera at home. Which then leads to missing shots. The G3 would certainly come in handy during times like that, but I’d probably consider getting their Sling Belt or Strap Shot for such instances. As of now, I can’t speak for them. Overall I’m a big fan of the G3 Harness and look forward to beating the shit out of it more in the coming weeks.

Click HERE to see more cowboy photography from this series.