Tag Archives: hand built

*Nauti or Nice? Camera strap sale and 10% of sales donated to Family Promise.

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2020 has been one hell of a year. Few have scraped through unscathed. As we hit full holiday mode, we are constantly bombarded with sales, deals, and arguments to purchase many, many things. Some of us are struggling to provide what in past years have seemed “normal” for our families as we are affected by the continuing global pandemic.

This year has seen many ups and downs for our household between work, school, family and friends. Something we have found great solace in, is finding ways to enjoy spending time together (as we’ve had a lot of opportunity). While we have had some issues and loss over the last 9 months, we feel very fortunate to be able to continue to make a living through all of this.

We talked as a family about what we would want to do with any support we could muster. Because of Covid, volunteering (especially with two school aged children) is a difficult option. Financial donations were the next obvious choice. When discussing who we wanted to donate to, the boys (with a little helpful guidance) decided it made the most sense to help people who were struggling with the necessities, food and shelter. There are millions of people in the US, and many, many more around the world that have been hit very hard by this pandemic, and as a family, we decided to find a way to try and give a little to some of those families if possible.

We’ve found an organization called Family Promise that focuses on homelessness, primarily for families with children. With a 99.95% overall rating through Charity Navigator, we felt good about donating to an organization that is very transparent, and focuses so much of their received donations toward the actual goal of helping families in need, with food and shelter through community organization, outreach and support that will hopefully last long after we get through all of this crazy crap.

This holiday season, as we’ve done annually, we’re offering a 30% discount on all camera straps through NautiStraps.com with 10% of all sales donated to Family Promise. Use code “NAUTIORNICE20” at checkout to get 30% off any and everything we build. On top of that, the kids wanted to match donations out of their savings. In lieu of buying their loving, and arguably deserving parents any gifts, we told them they could donate as much as they wanted to Family Promise, and that the Mrs and I will cover any remainder.

If you, or someone you know might enjoy a quality hand built camera strap for the holidays, we’d be happy to build one for you. We’ve felt very lucky to be able to use this business to donate to various organizations in the past as it enables us to utilize our well controlled livelihood (we have two employees) to hopefully help out where we might not have had the opportunity to in the past.

If not needing a camera strap, and you have the means, it is a good year to try and find organizations that are aiming to help many of us that have been more directly affected by this horrible pandemic. We like Family Promise, but there are many, many others. On top of that, try to support small, family or employee owned, and local businesses wherever possible. We need as much help as we can get.

We are a large, global community and through our collective power of purchase, we can truly help keep many friends, families, neighbors and wonderful strangers afloat by choosing to buy through them when and wherever possible.

Happy holidays, and happy everything to everyone. We hope you and your families are well, healthy and have the happiest of seasons that we all can.

You can see Nauti Straps HERE. You can find Family Promise HERE.

With love and gratitude (and thankfulness that 2020 is almost over),

Team Nauti

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*Deepest strap discount I’ve ever offered – 35% off any and everything I make at Nautistraps.com

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Anyone else going a little crazy lately?  It’s an unprecedented time in our collective human history, and while I am very ready to be done with it, I also understand the huge importance of staying the course lest we set ourselves back months or possibly open this pandemic up into irreversible territory.

I know there are a lot of retail panderings as many small businesses struggle to stay afloat, and I’m one of them.  So, in that vein, I’ve decided to try and buoy the strap business by offering the deepest discount I’ve ever offered.  35% off of any handbuilt strap I make by using code “SPRINGCLEAN35” at checkout over at nautistraps.com live now.

All neck/shoulder straps, all wrist straps are included in the sale.  I’m even able to do custom stuff if so desired (and the material is available to do so).  Just hit me up at info@nautistraps.com or here through the blog.

 

 

I genuinely hope everyone is well, and while I know we will eventually get through all this, it feels rough some days, but does feel nice to kind of reconnect with a hobby and passion I’ve been missing quite a bit lately.

You can find everything at nautistraps.com and use SPRINGCLEAN35 at checkout for 35% off.

Hit me up if any need arises, and happy shooting!

Tyson

 

*Happy Holidays from TRP and Nauti Straps!

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Hello and happy holidays!  Long time no write, eh?  Yeah, life.  So, while I’ve been largely absent on the blog here, I have been busy elf’n away on the life and biz side of things.  The Mettle Speed strap that I’ve designed in conjunction with my friend and fellow small business creator Randall at Mettlecycling.com is keeping me busy as well as being showcased in the upcoming Bicycling Magazine, so keep an eye out for Randall’s interview!  The Mettle Speed strap was designed for shooting one handed while riding, but it also works wonderfully for various outdoor activities.  I’ve used mine rock climbing, hiking, paddle boarding (with a waterproof gopro), filming while skateboarding and just out and about around town.  They’re awesome for small to mid size camera setups.

On the home front, I’m spending most of my time between work, adulting and building the Nauti Straps which has been going smashingly.  Thanks to all of you for that.  So many of you that I’ve been interacting with over the years have chosen my straps, and for that, I and the Squeeze clan are eternally grateful.  Thank you.  

New news on the Nauti Strap side of things is that I’m incorporating new colorways into many of my existing designs and will continue to showcase these as we release them.  We will be getting back into the monthly fundraising/donation schedule come the new year with us aiming to donate 10% of all our sales to a variety of causes and groups in need, so stay tuned for that. We raised hundreds of dollars for causes in 2017 with the monthly fundraising donations and while life required me to take a break in ’18, we’re gearing up for 2019 and looking forward to finding wonderful causes to support.

Our first new release is a silver, high tenacity polyester material with the same 3M reflective tracer we use in many of our Black w/3M straps (see above).  The HT Poly is smooth and silky to the touch, and the 3M material is a near identical color match to our silver strap material, so it is unnoticeable until hit with light.  A great compliment to those sporting a silver camera body and lenses, or liking to contrast with the black cameras.  The Silver Glow is available in the Tommy wrist, Vector wrist, Vector Excel QR wrist and Genoa shoulder straps, the Silver Glow w/3M is pretty tight.

As it is our second holiday season (officially as Nauti Straps, anyway), we’re going to offer ALL straps at 30% off through the end of the year as a holiday thank you.  If you need a gift idea or stocking stuffer for the shooter in your life, or would like to grab one for yourself, it’s a great time to do so and this way, I can potentially afford to buy Mrs Squeeze stuff for the holidays and her shortly after the holidays, birthday.  

Find us at www.nautistraps.com and don’t forget to use code “NAUTIORNICE” at checkout to get 30% off any and all orders.  We’ll be running it through the end of the year.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season, no matter what holidays we may celebrate this time of year.  I hope that everyone, along with your friends and families are well.  With all the anger and chaos in the world today, it is a great opportunity to focus on the good and do our best to shelter those in less fortunate situations, from the bad by being positive, giving, and a contradiction to the garbage that is going on by example.  As Bill and Ted once brilliantly said, “be excellent to each other”.

To all out there reading, here’s to another year nearly in the books.  I look forward to what the future brings, and if you have any ideas on collaboration, reviews or just want to say hi, hit me up on the Contact Me link, or via the socials below.


Find Nauti Straps on Instagram HERE, or Facebook HERE and share your shots using the hashtag #ishootnauti to share with all of us, and for a chance to win future giveaways.

Thanks, happy holidays and happy shooting,

Tyson and Rachael

*Monthly Nauti Straps Donation Program – August 2017 – ALS 30 for 30

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With our family move in the rear view, Mrs Squeeze and I are back in the saddle and really excited to try and drum up some help this month for a wonderful cause to help families suffering from ALS.  ALS, (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known to many as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is traditionally a gradual onset disease which affects everyone a little differently at first.  It affects the nervous system resulting in a loss of physical, muscular function, with the timetable for most lasting between 3-5 years from diagnosis before the body and muscles which control breathing and functional regulation, begin to fail.  There is no known cure currently, but the ALS Association works to develop treatments and drugs to slow the effects.

This brings us to this month’s donation.  I’ve long followed Anthony Carbajal (find Anthony and his wonderful photography on Instagram HERE) and his knack for street photography for years now.  Anthony has inspirationally lent his story and gritty photography from the streets of Redlands, California to a cause near and dear to his family’s core.  Anthony suffers from ALS, as does his mom.  To try and give a tiny bit of insight, he has been focusing on helping 30 families suffering from ALS over 30 days before his 30th birthday, and we’d like to try and help a little bit as well.  I’d strongly suggest checking Anthony out on Instagram and following his journey.  The stories of families he is aiming to help with this project read as diversely as ALS is indiscriminate in the families it affects.  Anthony’s positivity and spirit are so strongly inspirational to me, and I’d like to think he will be for you too.  I don’t know Anthony personally outside of interacting through Instagram, but his story and his actions have touched me in a deeply transforming way and the Mrs and I started this business hoping we could use it to benefit others as well as our family through our work.  This month, we want to donate to Anthony’s project.

You don’t need to buy a camera strap to help, as you can see more about the project which was originally set up to help Anthony directly, which he then chose to use to help others, by going to the You Caring Page set up HERE.  If you would like to help, and are in need of a new, hand built camera strap, Nauti Straps will be donating 10% of all sales this month to Anthony’s 30 for 30 project as well (see what we hand build HERE).  I will be donating as much as I can personally, too.  Anyone cool with Anthony, is tops in my book.

Please help get the word out, and let’s try to help kick some ALS.

All our best,

Team Nauti  (Tyson and Rachael)

 

*Brand New, adjustable Wayfarer Strap. Comfy, elegant and on sale!!!

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I get a lot of enjoyment from figuring out more efficient and elegant ways to design camera straps.  One question I’ve fielded multiple times has been the desire to see an adjustable, nautical rope shoulder strap.  The Regatta strap has done well, and has been well received, but for me, it posed two problems.  First, the adjustability.  Tricky part with rope is that there are few ways to actually allow for adjustment to length without bulky hardware.  Secondly, while it does well for rigs up to 2-2.5 lbs, after that, a single rope can become a little uncomfortable while out and about if carrying your camera for long periods of time.  Enter the brand new Wayfarer shoulder strap which remedies both of those issues, and I’m really happy with how they’ve come out.  Available in 7 different colorways, at Nautistraps.com now, you can also get them for 15% off as an introductory sale offer this week, using the code “NAUTIWAY15” at checkout.

C’mon in to see colors and learn a little bit more about the design process…

Continue reading →

*Monthly Nauti Straps Donation Program – May 2017 – @RainbowRailroad

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If you’ve been overwhelmed by global news or light shed on the huge variety of conflict and injustice being inflicted globally,  I can understand as it has been taxing to wake to a seeming constant flow of issues ranging from bizarre to horrific, daily.  This month, we wanted to focus our effort on the horrific Chechnyan anti-gay purge seeing people of the LGBTQ community in that country, literally put into what are being called “torture camps” with the Chechnyan government hunting anyone even rumored to be gay or transgendered with families being urged to kill their children, or face having it done within these torture camps.  Chechnya’s police call it ‘Cleaning your honour with blood.’ 

I know that I have subscribers and readers from all over the world.  I’ve used my blog as a way to converse with many of you, I continue to follow many of you as well, and I have greatly enjoyed doing so.  As it has progressed, my new camera strap business has naturally worked its way into the site here, and I appreciate all who have helped support me in that venture.  With the state of the world, and the country that I live in, it’s role in the global community and the affects our policy have for many planet wide, I’ve made a conscious effort to try and use Nauti Straps to help in ways I was unable to before.  If you live in a place that affords you freedoms enabling a relatively safe and secure lifestyle, appreciate that and we’d urge anyone willing to listen, to do what they can to support those in greater need that are living in places where they’re not afforded similar freedoms.  It is difficult for many of us to singlehandedly, financially support causes, but if we circle the wagons, band together, we can help spread that burden out so that we create a chorus of voices as opposed to feeling as if we are trying to tackle any injustice we’re troubled by, alone.

This month, Nauti Straps will donate 10% of all sales of our camera straps to the Rainbow Railroad, an organization focused on advocating and directly aiding LGBTQ people all over the world.  Currently, much of their need and effort resides in the horror happening in Chechnya.  You can see more about Rainbow Railroad and what they do HERE.  From the Rainbow Railroad’s website:

In countries all over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people still live in basic fear for their freedom, their safety and their lives.  They often have nowhere to turn because their government and police not only tolerate but encourage this brutality. Rainbow Railroad exists to help these people get out of danger to somewhere safe. In the spirit of and with homage to the Underground Railroad, the mission of the Rainbow Railroad is to help LGBT people as they seek safe haven from state enabled violence, murder or persecution. Through funds collected by people like you, we’re able to support, provide information, and help to arrange safe transportation for these LGBT people to somewhere in the world where they can live their lives in safety.

We’ve decided to say the hell with being politically and ethically neutral at Nauti Straps (just in case you haven’t yet noticed) through our monthly donation program where we choose a cause we feel is in immediate need, to donate a 10% portion of all our sales to.  While we fully support every person’s right as a human to have differing views, opinions and framework for your lives and the lives of those you love, we respect EVERYONE’s ability to live life as who they are, as long as that life in no way inflicts direct harm or oppresses anyone else’s ability to have the freedom to do the same, and hope you feel similarly.  

If you, or anyone you know would like a hand built camera strap, while helping the Rainbow Railroad you can see what I make at Nautistraps.com HERE.  If you feel you are in a position to financially help, and don’t necessarily need a camera strap, you can donate to Rainbow Railroad directly through their website HERE.

Thank you and as always, any help in spreading the word is greatly appreciated.

Team Nauti

You can find Nauti Straps on Instagram HERE

*we will return to our semi-regularly scheduled photo review blogging shortly.  Thank you for your support.

 

*Monthly Nauti Straps Donation Program – April 2017 – White Helmets

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I cannot think of a situation more dire than that which is taking place in Syria and affecting Syrian people right now.  I’d imagine we’ve all read about, and seen the horrific footage of the most recent spate of chemical attacks and while extremely hard to watch, if you haven’t, I think it important to do so to understand just what the evil in this world is capable of.  The Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets are a group of Syrian rescue workers who risk life and limb to respond to bombings, chemical attacks and any other act of violence against innocent children, women and men, and do so outside of any political or religious framework.  Pure humanitarian motivation.  I would suggest seeing who they are, and what they do here: www.whitehelmets.org

As of the time of this writing (according to their website), 166 White Helmet volunteers have been killed, and yet they continue to charge into affected areas to help the people, the families, the children who are otherwise helpless.  

Politics aside, and regardless of who is responsible for the continued aggression against Syrian civilians, we can at the very least, financially help.  We will be donating 10% of all sales of Nauti Straps (find Nauti Straps HERE) to the White Helmets this month, and even if you’re not in the market for a camera strap, even a few dollars can help if you feel so inclined to donate directly.  I’ve tried to find worthy causes to support each and every month, and right now, I cannot think of any cause in more immediate need.  We may not be able to do much in the grand scheme of things, but this is one way that we’ve decided to try and use our new business to help a little bit.

We will be getting back to our regularly scheduled programing shortly as I have multiple lens reviews and comparison articles in the works.

Thanks all, be well and happy shooting.

Tyson

 

*Monthly Nauti Straps donation program, March 2017 – SPLC

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aboutus

Mrs Squeeze and I have been going back and forth about what to do, and how we can implement ways to both help others while alleviating the feeling of depressing hopelessness that seems to have crept into our collective consciousness.  With a young family and ever increasing cost of living, we don’t have unlimited funds, nor, often time to dedicate to those who are on the front lines.  Months back, we did a special sale code which led to us donating to Standing Rock this last Fall (thank you guys for helping out on that!), and now we have decided to eliminate a specific code, and just donate 10% of any and all sales through NautiStraps.com to a particular cause each month.  It’s not going to change the world on its own, but it will help us feel as if we’re able to do a little something.

This month, we will be donating 10% of all sales of camera straps, to the Southern Poverty Law Center.  The SPLC functions as a non-profit group which observes and tracks known hate groups throughout the United States.  It provides legal and on the ground support to individuals as well as local law enforcement in cases where individuals and communities are threatened by these hate groups.

We recognize the danger behind marrying business with a political stance, but we’re at a point in our lives that we feel we should be trying to do whatever we can to push back against hatred in any form, and this is a small way we’ve chosen to do this.  Over the years, I’ve worked hard to build relationships through this blog over the many years I’ve been writing it, and hope to continue to do so.  If this offends you, I apologize, respect your difference of opinion, but feel you can now choose to continue to read my ramblings, or use this as an excuse to unfollow me.  Of course, any and all help in spreading the word is greatly appreciated.  I’m not going to lie, I don’t give these camera straps away (not often anyway) and have always looked to build this as it’s own standalone business, but we’re choosing to use this new business to provide a little financial support to causes we support moving forward. 

You can see more about the SPLC and what they do HERE.

If you or anyone you know is in the market for a new, hand built camera strap, we’d be honored to make you one, and donate 10% of that to the SPLC.  We will continue this monthly donation program through the year, while keeping an eye on areas that we feel are going to be in need of financial help.  Many of us are very privileged in ways we may not even see or know.  I am certainly guilty of taking many of my privileges for granted, and want to try to use these privileges to do something positive for those who may not have the same privileges.

Thank you all for the continued support, the read and the friendship.   Let’s try to be good to and for each other.

You can find my hand built camera straps at Nautistraps.com

Happy Shooting!

Tyson

*New Nauti Straps Speed 2 Sling Straps, adjustable and ready to go!

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speed2 on Sony a7II

The Speed sling strap has been a mainstay for me, but over the last year, I’ve gotten feedback that an adjustable version would be something of interest to many.  Well, I sourced a lightweight, but sturdy cam lock buckle to fit the strap material, re-designed how I was splicing the clasp on, and locking the strap, and boom.  New Speed 2.  

Weighing in at a mere 2.2 ounces, and utilizing the same high strength materials, stainless steel quick release clasp and proprietary hand built design, the new Speed 2 sling strap is perfect for mirrorless and compact cameras, for on the go photographers.

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Available in Blue/White, Yellow/Gray, Orange/Gray, Red/White, Black/White and a new Solid Black with 3M® reflective tracer, the new Speed 2 is ready to go over at NautiStraps.com now.  The straps can adjust from 16″-29″ (the original Speed sling strap was a fixed 25″) and are designed to wear across your body as a sling, attaching to the camera via a quick release spring clasp and 170lb test split ring (included).  I like being able to switch between a Speed sling, and other straps using the quick release clasp.  Especially handy when wanting to get straps out of the way on the tripod.

speedsling2

Available now for $48 including delivery (in the US), and for blog readers you can get a 15% discount for the next week (discount runs through Sunday, February 12th) using code “SPEED2” at checkout, these guys are ready to rock.  As always, shipping via the US Postal Service is free within the US, and is a flat $10 rate for anywhere outside of the US.

Thanks for all of the support over the last year as I’ve been working on all of these straps.  It means a lot, and I greatly appreciate the feedback and conversations I’ve had with many of you guys over this time.

I hope everyone is well.  Connect with me via  Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Instagram.  

To stay up on new articles, you can add your email address at the top of the page (via standard browser) or below if viewing on a mobile platform.

Happy shooting,

Tyson

*Two Brand New Camera Straps from Nautistraps.com #ishootnauti

by in Nauti Straps - handbuilt camera straps, Photography gear, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

ns-2

Hi All!  I’ve been hard at work on the Nauti Straps, designing and prototyping designs over the last few months.  Two of which are now ready to ship!  Enter, the new Tommy Wrist strap, and the Genoa Shoulder strap.

The Tommy Wrist strap (find it HERE) is a brand new design, using a hand spliced, closed loop in what I’m calling Bavarian Check patterned Red/Black and Blue/Black (will be available very soon!)  with a third option of solid Black with a reflective tracer (available now!).  

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The Tommy is the first wrist strap to employ the stainless steel, quick release spring clasp which enables a fast switch between a wrist or shoulder strap.  This is how I tend to use my straps now, wanting to use wrist straps at times, and shoulder straps others, so adding a QR clasp on these fit the bill.  

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The new Genoa Shoulder strap (find it HERE) uses a 3/4″ flat strap (the Speed and Vector straps use a 1/2″ wide material), fitted with two stainless steel quick release spring clasps, hand spliced into the material with a fixed, finished length of 46″.  Able to be utilized as a traditional neck strap, or cross body sling strap, the Genoa is a strong, comfortable and light weight option for any style of photographer.  

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The rounded construction provides much softer edges than a standard flat shoulder strap.   The rounded design allows more weight to lay more comfortably on your neck without cutting into you.   Available now in mottled Blue/Black, Red/Black or solid Black with a reflective tracer for better visibility when roaming or riding the streets in the darker hours, the Genoa is ready to go.  

The Tommy weighs in at a mere 1 ounce and comes with a 170lb test stainless steel split ring, and rubber O ring to fit to the camera.  It will run you $35 with free shipping in the US.

The Genoa weighs 2.7 ounces, and is supplied with two 170lb test stainless steel split rings and two rubber O rings.  It comes in at $45, also with free shipping in the US.

All shipping within the US is free, and we offer a flat $10 rate for shipping to anywhere else in the world (no matter the amount of straps purchased).  If you have any photographer friends or family, we’re well stocked and ship straps as soon as we get orders, so let us know!  (the USPS says we have until December 19th to insure that deliveries (within the US) arrive in time for Christmas.  International shipping via the USPS normally takes anywhere from 7-21 days, depending on the destination.

Visit us at NautiStraps.com, and don’t forget to sign up to receive our Nauti blog posts with announcements and sales HERE.  I’m currently working on a couple new designs, which I’m just awaiting a couple more components for, so stay tuned!

Find Nauti Straps on Instagram HERE and help us spread the word. #ishootnauti

Thanks all.  Happy holidays, and happy shooting!

Tyson (and Rachael)