One of my favorite procrastination activities is to repack my camera bag.

This is one of those things that we keep in the family. It's like the admission my grandmother made to me when I was only 5 years old. She had on these nasty looking wool socks that she wore to bed. I asked her about them one night, and she said, "Yes, I wear these to keep my feet warm while I'm sleeping. But you don't need to tell the whole world about it."

I've kept that secret all these years. She's passed away now, my she rest in peace, so I think it's OK.

Anyway, back to bags.

I have two bags that I use daily: the Lowepro Urban Reporter 150 and the Walking Man Shoulder Bag. I use the Urban Reporter for going back and forth to work, business appointments, light photo shoots, etc. The Walking Man is for errands, spontaneous coffee shop visits, and my afternoon walk.

You'd think that I have a set configuration for each. I don't. And when I get bored with a project at the studio, I empty the contents of one of the bags and try to find the ultimate packing solution for it.

You and I both know that there isn't an ultimate packing solution. What goes in the bag and where it's placed depends on mood, assignment, and the alignment of planets.

But that's the fun, isn't it?

If you tell this story to a non-photographer, they'll think that I've slid off my cracker. It's like the wool socks. You have to be there to appreciate it.

-Derrick