Best Gift Ideas For Photographers (2022 Edition)
Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of neat gifts from my clients. While many give straight cash, I’ve gotten everything from Broadway play tickets, to movie tickets, to restaurant gift cards, and even a framed print of my own work! If you have a friend or family member that is into photography and you have no idea what to get them - this is where you want to be. The following list contains affordable items photographers ALWAYS need plus some fun things you may not have thought of.
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ESSENTIALS
CAMERA CLEAING KIT ($30): Every person who uses a real camera needs a cleaning kit and the supplies get used up pretty quickly, so this is a great gift all the time! I use the Altura Full Frame Sensor Cleaning kit.
MULTITOOL ($20-$100) - A multi tool is an essential for anyone who does photography or videography where you're away from home and all your tools. I personally carry the Leatherman Wingman ($70) everywhere I go, and also have the Leatherman Wave ($106)I keep in the car.
If you need something smaller and more affordable, get the Small Rig Folding Tool ($21)
GLOVES ($30) - With winter weather approaching these are a very useful thing to have - Photo Video Gloves
Peak Design SL-BK-3 Slide, Camera Strap ($70) - Every photographer needs a good strap (the ones that come with the camera are ok, but there are many better alternatives like this one). This set includes everything needed to up your comfort level when carrying a camera for long periods of time. Get the camera strap
APPLE AIR TAGS ($95) - These are extremely popular and great to stash in camera bags and the like. They're simple, quick, and effective. If you really love your photographer, then get these for them! Get a 4 pack of Apple Air Tags here.
Camera Rain Cover ($21) - There have been a lot of times I wished I had something like this! If your photographer loves to shoot in incliment weather, then this could be an awesome gift! - Get your rain cover here!
Anker Portable Charger ($18) - This is a very small and lightweight battery bank. This thing has made me a hero at numerous weddings and events where either a client or vendor has needed to charge their phone or tablet. Help your photographer be the hero and get one of these. Mine goes every where I do [don’t forget to get lightning and also usb c cables!] - GET YOURS HERE!
Omni 20+ Bundle AC/DC/USBC Power Bank ($299) - This is a next level portable charger that will let you even charge some laptops and includes a standard home sized wall outlet. - Get your powr bank here.
Pocket Tripod ($45) - It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, everyone loves taking photos with their phones. For some, we like to get even more advanced and do things like long exposures or take group shots with us in them. This is the perfect solution to keep a tripod like device with you at all times for when you need steady photos etc. - Get your pocket tripod here!
BOOKS
THE DIGITAL PHOTO BOOK VOL 1 ($21)- This is a book I got when I first got stated and it is amazing. Highly recommended. Great ideas and explantions for beginner to intermediate level photographers.
Here’s how Scott describes this book’s brilliant premise: “If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, ‘Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, with the background out of focus?,’ I wouldn’t stand there and give you a photography lecture. In real life, I’d just say, ‘Put on your zoom lens, set your f-stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.’ That’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned just like I would with a friend―without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”
This isn’t a book of theory―full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With over 200 of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade,” this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time. -GET YOUR COPY HERE
DESTINATIONS OF A LIFETIME ($28) All photographers love looking at great images. This book has a ton of them and can also provide ideas for places to go visit!
NatGeo takes you on a photographic tour of the world’s most spectacular destinations, inspiring tangible ideas for your next trip. Travel to hundreds of the most breathtaking locales―both natural and man-made―illustrated with vivid images taken by the organization's world-class photographers. These images, coupled with evocative text, feature a plethora of visual wonders: ancient monoliths, scenic islands, stunning artwork, electric cityscapes, white-sand seashores, rain forests, ancient cobbled streets, and both classic and innovative architecture. Loaded with hard service information for each location, Destinations of a Lifetime has it all: when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do to ensure the most enriching and authentic experience. GET YOUR COPY HERE
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera ($18) - This was another one of the first books I ever bought and it demystified a lot of things about exposure. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate photographers.
Understanding Exposure has taught generations of photographers how to shoot the images they want by demystifying the complex concepts of exposure in photography. In this newly updated edition, veteran photographer Bryan Peterson explains the fundamentals of light, aperture, and shutter speed and how they interact with and influence one another. With an emphasis on finding the right exposure even in tricky situations, Understanding Exposure shows you how to get (or lose) sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, and take the best meter readings, while also exploring filters, flash, and light. - GET YOUR COPY HERE
FUN STUFF
Camera keychain ($13) - Some folks love to deck out their keychains and this is a neat gift idea for pretty much any photographer. Get your keychain here!
Decorative Camera Bookends ($25) - Most photographers have a lot of books and these are the perfect compliment to spruce up those display shelves in their office. Also perfect for anyone who just loves cameras in general! - Get your camera bookends here!
Photographer Coffee Mug ($15) - If there's one thing photographers need…. it's caffeine! Working 10+ hour days and up at all hours of the day working, plus raising a family requires you to always be on the go. Your favorite photographer will definitely appreciate this! - Get your photography coffee mug here!
Vintage Camera Pencil Holder ($16) - This is a neat way to organize a desktop and something every photographer needs, as they are always taking notes and marking up documents and order forms etc. - Get your camera pencil holder here!
Creative Silicone Camera USB 2.0 Flash Drive 32GB ($12) - We all need thumbdrives on a regular basis and this is fun looking one to either actually use, or just keep on hand as an office decoration. - Get your USB Drive here!
Photography Basics Reference Cards ($30) - These are the Ultimate Cheat Sheet Playing Cards for learning the basics of photography. Each numbered card illustrates the most important rules and techniques about photography. Each of the court cards has uniquely designed camera artwork, doubling up as photography tip cards and playing cards.. The suits contain one of the four different categories: Spades: Camera Basics, Hearts: Composition, Clubs: Technical, Diamonds: Shooting Styles. Cards can be combined to further improve the quality of the photos that you are taking.. - Photo Tips Cards
Photography Tips Reference Card ($30) - These are the Ultimate Cheat Sheet Playing Cards for digital image processing. Regardless of the camera or editing app, these cards illustrate the most useful editing functions and common principles to help you improve your skills and supercharge your photo manipulation knowledge. - Editing Tips Cards
PHOTOGRAPHY IDEA CARDS ($20) - Sometimes everyone needs help being creative and this is a great way to kick start that process. This pack includes 72 idea cards, each with a unique photography theme/challenge. Each card has a hashtag, allowing you to share your photos on social media and see what others did for the same photo mission. Get out and get creative! - PHOTOGRAPHY IDEA CARDS
BRACELET ($30)- For anyone who loves to show off the fact they’re into photography when they’re not carrying a camera around this is what you need to get. Available in brass and silver colors - Camera Bangle Bracelet
SOCKS ($14) - Great fun for a night out or anything silly, or maybe serious. Made from Polyester, Cotton, and Spandex, these machine washable socks are ultra soft and fit shoe sizes 7-13. Who doesn’t love comfy soft socks?? - Camera Socks
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT ($15) - A classic gift that never goes out of style. These Kurt Adler Classic and Digital Camera Ornaments are a unique addition to any holiday decor or Christmas tree. NOTE - you get 2 in this package. This assortment features a classic silver and black camera with a brown case and a sleek black digital camera. - Camera Christmas Ornament
NEON CAMERA SIGN ($37) - Light up your favorite photographer’s life with this neat neon sign! A great deal and I think we all love neon lights! Get this Neon Sign today!
Camera Necklace ($20) This camera charm jewelry is a unique gift item that is great for teachers, friends, professionals alike. The black camera pendant with large clear crystal as the lens measures 1 inch wide by 1 inch tall and comes on an 18 inch snake chain inside a pouch and box. Get your camera necklace here!
Photographer Wrist Band Kit ($8) - Some photographers love to wear wrist bands. If this is you or someone you know then this will fix them up! Includes 8 different designs. Get it here!
Photographer's Wristband Lens Aperture Ring x1,
Photographer's Wristband Lens Focus Ring x1,
Photographer's Wristband Lens Focal Length Ring x1,
EF 50mm Lens Wristband x1,
EF 24-70mm Lens Wristband x1,
EF 70-200mm Lens Wristband x1,
Nikkor 70-200mm Lens Wristband x1,
Nikkor 24-70mm Lens Wristband x1.
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Kyle Root is a published and award winning photographer based out of Decatur Alabama. Working in the area since 1999 has helped him become one of the most recognized photographers and videographers in North Alabama. His work has been featured both locally and on the national stage. Honesty, Integrity, Quality Products, Amazing Customer Service, and just being a nice guy have helped propel him to the spotlight in the North Alabama area as a photographer. If you're looking for professional photography, you're in the right spot.
