Lemur Strap

LemurStrap was born from a simple frustration: carrying a professional camera around all day should not feel like a workout. Founder Jim Kersley, an avid photographer from Boulder, Colorado, spent years testing every strap on the market before realizing the real problem was not the strap itself, but the way cameras hang from the neck. By reimagining the carrying position and mounting the camera from the bottom, he turned an awkward burden into a hands-free experience that keeps the lens protected and the screen out of harm's way.

The breakthrough came when Jim added a quick-release baseplate inspired by tripod mounts. Instead of wrestling a camera over your head, you can slide it into a low-profile receiver and release it in under a second. That speed matters in the field, whether you are reaching for a bird in flight or pulling your camera from behind your back on a crowded street. The design also means the lens points downward and the screen faces upward, shielding both from scratches, bumps, and the everyday hazards of travel.

After years of prototyping in his Boulder workshop, Jim teamed up with friend and conservationist Andy Mann to refine the product through rigorous real-world testing. Over five years of field use, the pair iterated on every detail until the LemurStrap was ready for a broader audience. The company launched its first crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in August 2024, validating demand among photographers who wanted a smarter way to carry their gear.

Following the Kickstarter, LemurStrap moved to direct-to-consumer sales in November 2024 and spent 2025 building a reputation for durable, American-designed camera accessories. In 2025 the brand entered retail distribution through B&H Photo Video, giving professional and aspiring photographers easier access to the strap. Today, LemurStrap continues to manufacture in small batches with an emphasis on ethical labor, sustainable packaging, and long-lasting construction.