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Struggling to find the perfect camera bag? We’ve got the solution: make your own! Creating a DIY camera bag purse is easier than you think.

DIY Camera Bag Purse

Written By: Kelly Ella Maz

Finding the perfect camera bag is a struggle any Travel Fashion Girl can relate to. Traditional camera bags are bulky and lack style, and the few stylish bags that are on the market can be quite restricting when it comes to size and usability.

In my experience, when I’ve found a beautiful camera bag, it ends up not being versatile enough for my travels–or it has very limited interior space that doesn’t leave much room for things like a phone or wallet.

I was determined to find a solution to this problem, so I searched the internet for every possibility. I ended up creating my own DIY camera bag purse, and it was both easy and practical!

Since I’ve been loving the results of this project for the past two and a half years, I thought it was finally time to share how I did it!

Camera Insert DSLR Insert Camera Case

The secret to creating your own DIY camera bag purse is purchasing a $20 “camera bag insert” from a website like eBay or Amazon, then fitting it inside your existing purses!

Using this method has two amazing benefits:

• Most camera bag inserts have removable panels, so you can alter the insert however you like. I like to use 2/3 of the space to hold my camera with the lens attached, and the remaining 1/3 holds my cell phone, keys, and wallet.

• The camera bag insert fits into a large selection of my existing purses–including my favorite Longchamp and Louis Vuitton bags. It doesn’t get much more stylish than that!

Padded Camera Bags

When you start searching for a camera bag insert, you’ll notice that there are various sizes available. I recommend lining up all your purses and measuring their interiors.

My camera bag insert measures 7” tall x 5” deep x 8” wide, and it fits into nearly all of my medium-large sized bags. The trick is that although some of your purses may be big enough to hold the insert, the opening to your bag could possibly be too narrow to fit the insert inside–so be sure to check that, too!

Another criteria to check before purchasing is whether or not the interior is adjustable.

Camera Bag Insert in Taupe | Red | Floral

My camera bag insert came with two removable partitions that adjusted the size of the inside pockets. I ended up only using one of these removable partitions to create two pockets. My camera bag insert also came with an outside pocket that I use to store business cards and extra memory cards.

The last criteria to consider is color. In my research, I found plenty of camera bag inserts in bright orange, yellow, or blue, but purchasing a bright color can make your insert less versatile. I recommend black or gray, if you can find it. My insert is gray and it matches almost any color of bag.

Now that I’m using a camera bag insert, I’ve been able to convert dozens of my purses into camera bags, which gives me endless style options.

Medium Le Pliage Tote | Large Le Pliage Tote

I’ve routinely talked about how much I love Longchamp Le Pliage foldable bags for travel, and my camera bag insert fits in both the medium and large sized bags from their collection.

This is one of my favorite “insert + purse” combinations, because the Longchamp bags can be folded into my suitcase when not in use, and the camera bag insert can easily fit inside my carry on bag.

Learn more about why female travelers love Longchamp bags for travel!

DON’T HAVE TIME TO DIY? SHOP THESE CAMERA PURSES:

Tan Tote Bag | Brown Crossbody | Yellow (or Red) Handbag | Tan Crossbody

What are your tips on how to create a DIY camera bag purse? Please comment below!

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For more travel purses, please read:

• Top 5 Anti-Theft Travel Bags for Women – Best Sellers!
• The Best Purse Organizers
• Cross Body Purses: The Best Travel Shoulder Bags for Women
• Convertible Backpack Purse Styles We Love

I hope you liked this post on how to create a DIY camera bag purse. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Author Bio: Kelly Ella Maz is a travel writer from Canada. Her worldwide experience and passion for travel led her to start her own travel planning business and blog. She recently bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona, where she’ll be living by the beach and traveling around Spain. You can follow her travels at Kellyellamaz.