November 29, 2021 / Blog photography
Gifts for the Photographer in your Life
Looking for gift ideas this year? It’s not too hard to make the photographer in your life happy. Here’s a few Pideas for bringing a smile to your favorite shutter bug’s face!
Camera Strap
The neck straps that come with any camera right out of the box are AWFUL. They rub your neck, pinch your shoulder and are just sort of ugly. So upgrade her experience with a new camera strap! You can get one that’s padded with neoprene, covered with colorful fabric, or fits across her body for more support.
- Op/Tech 3501252 3/8″ Utility Shoulder Strap, Black
- Op/Tech 3501242 Strap Sling 0.75in Webbing Black
- BlackRapid Classic Retro RS-4 Camera Strap with FR-5 FastenR Breathe, Black
- Wildflower Camera Strap
- Personalized Camera Strap
Camera bag
The typical camera bag is ugly, awkward, and doesn’t have much storage. There are much better options! A backpack camera bag is great for travel and sports because it leaves your hands free. Or check out a pretty, stylish bag that looks more like a purse and less like a free gift with a purchase nylon toaster.
A new lens
One of the most amazing gifts I ever got as an amateur photographer was my first professional caliber lens. My husband printed a picture of a lens, wrapped it up in the shape of a tube then wrapped that in a box with a note that said something like “IOU for a wildlife lens.” It was a dream come true to order that first big zoom lens.
Most photographers have a lens they really want. If your photographer hasn’t mentioned it, ask her! If you don’t know exactly what she wants, give her a gift card, or an IOU. One photographer I know got a card with her husband’s credit card and a note that said “I believe in your talent. Buy the lens.”
Lens pen
A llens pen makes a great stocking stuffer. They help keep your lens clean and are great for brushing off any other goo that gets on your camera…like horse snot or pig poo.
Extra batteries
An extra battery is awesome to have for those times you’re shooting a lot of video or forget to charge one of your batteries! They’re also great for a vacation! Put a fresh battery in your camera for the day and leave the other to charge while you’re out exploring! Sneak his camera out when he’s not looking, write down the battery size and voila…a perfect stocking stuffer!
Fingerless gloves
t’s hard to click a shutter in mittens or bulky gloves. A great solution is fingerless gloves or mittens!
Hand warmers
I love these things! I stick them in my pockets during a photo session or when I’m photographing sports in the fall. I also break one out and stick it in my camera bag near my batteries to keep them warm when it’s really cold out.
Gaffer’s tape
Gaffer’s tape is the photographer’s duct tape. I use it for everything! It’s perfect for taping down backgrounds, marking spots on the floor, etc. It sticks well but doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue like duct tape.
Headlamp
This is for anyone who likes photographing at night! A simple headlamp is a wonderful tool for someone who likes to photograph lightning, the stars, or enjoys light painting. I like the ones with a “red” mode as it tends to not mess with my night vision as much, and use the one with alkaline batteries instead of a rechargeable battery. I don’t use it often enough to need something rechargeable and want something that turns on when I need it after several months of non-use.
Camera earrings
I saw these adorable camera earrings on another blog and thought they were adorable. Your photographer might, too!
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
If the photographer in your life has ever expressed an interest in learning camera settings or “getting off manual” this is one of my favorite learning resources! I took several photography classes in college, but it all just clicked, no pun intended, when I read this book!
Creative Live Class or Subscription
One of my favorite educational resources is Creative Live. It’s like Netflix for us creative types and has a TON of different classes. Learn about photography, art, design, music, and more!
Prints of their Work
FInd a few favorite images your favorite photographer has taken, then have them printed and framed or turned into artwork he’ll see every day in your home. It shows him you believe his skills are totally wall worthy!
An in-person class
There’s nothing like a hands-on class or workshop to improve your skills! If you’re in the Front Range, Mike’s Camera has some awesome classes that incorporate classroom learning, mentored experiences, and a review/critique of the images from the weekend. Most community colleges also offer some photography classes, too.
I’m at the point in my career and business that photography actually pays for itself. But in the early years, I was always grateful to receive gifts that supported my passion or supplemented my equipment!
