What do you get for a friend or family member that is a photographer? Something useful and fun from this list!

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.

*As am Amazon associate I may earn from qualifying purcahses. Thank you for your support!*

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!

Samsung T7 ($140) - If there is one thing every photographer needs it’s more storage. We can never have enough and the Samsung T7 line is the most popular style among photographers and videographers because it’s very small, very fast, and has a lot of space! - Get yours here!

Sandisk Extreme ($120) - Another very popular portable hard drive solution. You can’t go wrong with this one either. - Get yours here

Memory Card Wallet ($25) - A well organized photographer is a good photographer. Keeping up with memory cards at a job is critical to success. This memory card holder is essential to the photographer who spends time out in the field. - Get your memory card holder here

Battery Holder ($20) - I got one of these over the summer and it has been a lifesaver at gigs! It keeps all my batteries in one place and since the switch to mirrorless, I go through a lot of batteries in an active 10 hour day! Essential for anyone who is planning on doing a lot of photography. Get your battery holder 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

Photo Challenge Book ($7) - Perfect for practicing and trying things you may not have thought of. Get unstuck if you’re in a rut etc! - Get yours here!

52 Week Photography Challenge ($11) - Apply new techniques and themes or practice what you already know with this 52 week photography challenge. For a whole year, this book will be by your side, helping you every week to complete photo challenges, note your camera settings and ideas for the future. This way they're available the next time you ask yourself, "How did I take such an awesome self-portrait/landscape/sunrise/etc". - Get yours here

FUN STUFF

Funny Coffee Mug ($14) - Funny Photographer coffee mug dishwasher and microwave safe, printed on both sides. Strong, ceramic construction, 100% pure white ceramic with money back guarantee. High quality ceramic, treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special.. Get yours here!

Camera Lens Coffee Mug ($13) - These are popular! I have one. A camera lens stainless steel vacuum thermos cup, a good companion on business trips. Camera gifts ideas for photography, friend, your lover and acts as a pen holder for your desk supplies or lose change and vase. - Get yours here!

Camera Socks ($22) - PREMIUM SOCKS: These are made from 80% high grade combed cotton. If you want long lasting high quality socks. You've found them! GIFT FOR MEN OR WOMEN: These socks are very versatile and can be bought for anyone! - Get yours here!

Editing Coffee Mug ($16) - Something all photographers can relate to - Editing day! Printed on both sides. 11-Ounce White Ceramic Mugs. Safe for Microwave and dishwasher. Resistant for house and restaurant use. Large, easy-grip handle. 100% pure white ceramic with money back guarantee. Satisfaction and Quality guaranteed. Protected in a durable gift box with protective bubble wrap for safe delivery. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special. This represents an affordable novelty they will appreciate for years. - Get yours here!

Photographer Makeup Bag ($14) - When Life Gets Blurry Adjust Your Focus cosmetic travel pouch, cosmetic bag, makeup brushes bag, travel bag, storage bag, portable wash toiletry organizer bag, purse, etc - Get yours here!

Tumbler ($20) - Perfect for sipping while you work. 16 ounce capacity. Double wall Stainless steel. Lid and straw included. Designed in my home studio Michigan USA-Get yours here!

Another fun mug! ($20) - The statement "WARNING: I Could Snap At Any Moment" is presented in a bold block font, balanced with a playful skinny font, enhancing the pun intended. The addition of a watercolor vintage camera wrapped with stunning purple vining flowers adds a feminine and artistic touch, making it visually appealing. Quality Craftsmanship: Made from premium ceramic, this mug is robust and durable. The unique design is imprinted using top-tier ink to ensure it remains vibrant, not succumbing to wear or washes.-Get yours here!

Vintage Camera Decor ($13) - A unique way to organize your desk items! Camera wooden pen holder size: 12.5 * 9* 7.5cm/4.92 * 3.54* 2.95inch. This is a pretty perfect size for your desk.- Get yours here!

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.