Photographers are a particular bunch. They build their gear collections around expensive cameras, lenses and flashes that require brand-specific compatibility. So buying a gift for your favorite photographer can be quite tricky if you don’t know your way around a camera yourself.
But worry not, I’ve combed the Internet, talked to fellow camera nerds—both amateurs and professionals—and spent countless hours field testing to find the perfect gifts for every budget. From stylish accessories to universally-compatible accompaniments, there’s something here to make any image maker in your life smile. Just be sure to have your camera ready for when they do.
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For Keeping Your Screens Clean: For Photography Under The Sea: For The Dusty Gearhead: For a Little Time-Lapse Photo Fun: Solarcan Pinhole cameraFor Photo History and Inspiration: The Expert: I’ve covered the photography industry since 2010 as an editor and writer for publications including American Photo, Digital Photography Review, Popular Photography, Popular Science, Sound and Vision, the Wall Street Journal’s Buy Side and others. I also have experience as a freelance photojournalist covering live music, small businesses and sporting events for The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Princeton Packet, The Star-Ledger, and others. Since starting my career, I’ve field-tested and reviewed hundreds of photography products and reported on thousands more.I’m also a passionate photographer and an active member of the Pacific Northwest photo community, where you can find me shooting everything from disposable cameras to the latest, greatest digital technology. Camera gear is as much my obsession as it is my career.
All photographers love gear. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. There’s a good reason why the acronym G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome) is well-known among camera slingers. But some gear is more useful than others. The key is to find items that’ll actually make your photographer’s life better. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of inventive equipment available.
From the perfect carry-on camera bag to the holy grail of travel tripods to a truly versatile and compact lighting solution, the right accessory can make all the difference. Choose wisely and they’ll be extremely grateful.
What good is equipment without inspiration? If you don’t want to focus on the camera, consider giving your photographer an opportunity to get out of the house and shoot some interesting photos. Items like an all-access National Park pass, specialized photography courses, and photo books that’ll actually be looked through, should help spark passion and may even lead to a new creative project.
Also, if you’re planning a trip in the near future, consider looking for some gear that will help take advantage of that photo opportunity. If you’re going on a beach vacation, for example, you could look for unique underwater, panorama, and pinhole cameras to bring along.
In any case, these gifts are often easy to spot and gentle on the wallet. Most of these ideas cost less than $100 individually.
Photographers need a way to safely store and organize all their precious equipment, as well as their photographs—whether digital, film, or both. While this kind of gift isn’t quite as exciting as a flashy accessory or an invitation to the wilderness, peace of mind is always appreciated.
I promise you, no photographer will turn their nose up at a tough-built SSD, a safe way to manage and store memory cards or a comfortable way to transport gear. These are slow burns that’ll gain appreciation with time.
Unless your giftee has specified otherwise, I’d generally recommend staying away from purchasing cameras and core accessories like lenses. Picking a new lens is a deeply intimate purchase decision that’s best left to the individual shooter. Even if you know their preferences, you will need to take system/mount compatibility into account. Canon alone has three different digital mounts, two of which support two different sensor sizes. There’s a very real chance you could buy the perfect type of lens, but buy it for the wrong type of system. Plus, lenses tend to be very expensive.
Likewise, memory cards and batteries also require some due diligence to ensure compatibility. If you’re shopping for your partner or a family member, it isn’t too hard to suss out the information you need. Even then, batteries and memory cards are the underpants and tube socks of the photography gift universe: Unexciting at best and outright boring at worst.
To include a wide variety of ideas for photography-related gifts, this guide spans a range of price points—from $13 to $900, though most are under $100. I considered picks from both large manufacturers and small, startup brands. In fact, many of the items in the inspiration category are the result of another individual's creative passion and hard work, like the Solarcan Pinhole camera. Beyond that, uniqueness and stylishness were also taken into account; you won’t find any khaki photo vests or ugly camera straps here.
Ultimately, I winnowed down my favorite photography gear and related ideas to a lineup with near-universal approval from folks across the imaging spectrum, from pro shooters to casual users. In addition to using these products myself, I spoke with friends and colleagues and consulted accessory reviews from across the web to make sure that I’m not the only one who loves them. Ultimately, this is a gift list for photographers, by photographers.
1For Keeping Your Screens Clean
The LensPen is perhaps the best-known and most-trusted cleaning tool for keeping digital camera gear smudge- and dust-free. The cleaning tip comes treated with a carbon compound that breaks down grease and gunk. While a soft, extendable brush on the other end neutralizes dust and particles.
Better yet, you can purchase one for less than $20. Available in multiple sizes, these pocket-friendly life-savers are as effective on the front of a lens element as on viewfinder glass, rear monitors, and even sensors.
2For Photography Under The Sea
Serious underwater photography rigs cost serious cash. But for some simple, underwater fun, look no further than the Kodak Water and Sport 35mm disposable film camera.
First, in case you missed the memo, disposable photography is all the rage these days. And yes, there are still plenty of places to get your shots developed (and scanned).
Moreover, few photographers ever get the chance to dabble in the underwater space. So, the gift of a simple, yet powerful ocean/lake/pool-friendly point-and-shoot is bound to spark some creativity in its recipient. And with 27 exposures to snap through, the photographer in your life will, no doubt, make each one count.
3For The Dusty Gearhead
Another classic photography cleaning tool, the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster has been blowing dust away since before the digital age. Think of it as a more environmentally-friendly, cost-effective alternative to canned air.
There’s a decent chance your photographer already has one if they’re serious about cleanliness. If not, here’s your chance to enlighten them. This is a must-have in any gear cabinet, photo studio, or darkroom.
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4For a Little Time-Lapse Photo Fun
This one is perfect for anyone who loves any combination of photography, chemistry, and astronomy. The Solarcan Pinhole is a long-exposure, analog camera you can use to capture scenes like the sun rising and setting over weeks, months, or even years.
Pinhole cameras have a simple design. Instead of a lens, the pinhole lets in a concentrated beam of light that projects an inverted image into the back of a camera. In the case of the Solarcan, the light exposes a piece of photo-sensitive paper, which can be reloaded again and again.
What do the results look like? As long as you give the exposure enough time, you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind visual record of the sun’s ever-changing path in relation to the Earth’s rotation.
5For Photo History and Inspiration
Inspiration is a difficult gift to give. But the Polaroid Book, now in its 40th edition, is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser for creatives. Chock-full of snaps from famous photographers and celebrities alike, this photo book has the power to evoke the feelings of times long gone.
To understand the Polaroid Book, though, it is important to also understand that up until the digital era, Polaroids were often used by pros to test out lighting before the “real” film was loaded into a camera. So, in addition to highlighting images that trace the history of instant film and its impact on pop culture, you’ll see test shots that provide fascinating alternative glimpses into the past.
6For The Photographer With Too Many Memory Cards (Most of Us)
There’s nothing nerdier than busting out a Velcro wallet full of memory cards. Be that as it may, the memory card wallet is an organization tool no photographer should be without. And if your giftee already has one, chances are they could use another.
A note of caution: be sure to double-check which type of memory card gets the most use. You don’t want to faux pas with a CF or SD card wallet when they really need an XQD wallet!
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7For Keeping Their Cameras Charged
USB power banks are a godsend for tech lovers everywhere, including photographers. I use this well-priced 20,000 mAh battery pack from Anker, which offers a fantastic size-to-capacity ratio with more than enough juice for a couple of rounds of gadget charging.
Most modern digital cameras can also be recharged via USB. This battery pack supports USB-Micro, USB-C, and full-sized USB-A connections, so your giftee should be covered no matter what cable their camera came with. Plus, the Anker pack charges two devices at once, so they can top off a phone or laptop at the same time.
8A Classy Camera Strap
In photography, just as in business, you only look as good as you feel. So why not rock one of the most practical yet fashionable camera carriers around? The Hoodman 9mm Climbing Rope strap is as comfortable as it is durable, not to mention, shock absorbing.
Available in both black and red, this neck strap features steel hardware, leather accents, and an adjustable length. And unlike full-leather straps, it shouldn’t stretch or lose durability over time. Just don’t use it to rappel down a cliff.
9For The Organized Photographer
All the cool kids rock slings. In the realm of chic photo gear, Moment is known for making some of the most thoughtfully designed packs around. The 2L Fanny Sling boasts plenty of pockets and a surprising amount of storage, all in a stylish, adjustable, and weather-resistant package.
The pack also comes standard with a microfiber-lined pocket for glasses and filters, a pull-out lens cleaning cloth, an internal clip for keys, and external connection loops for a water bottle or small tripod. Plus, it doesn’t scream “I’m a photographer lugging pricey stuff!” It just looks like your average Shoreditch/Bushwick hipster pack.
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10For Landscape Lovers
Like dedicated underwater cameras, most dedicated panoramic cameras cost an arm and a leg. But not the Sprocket Rocket from Lomography.
With a 30mm lens that captures an image spanning multiple film frames—complete with lens sprocket details—there are few cameras in the world capable of results similar to this oddly-shaped point-and-shoot. Bring the Sprocket Rocket along on an outdoor adventure and you can capture sprawling landscapes in a new and exciting way.
11For Lens-Flare Lovers
Whether your photographer is a cinema-obsessive or just likes when life looks like a movie, Moment’s CineFlare Anamorphic lens filter is bound to stoke some J.J. Abrams-esque flare.
Lens flare occurs when a camera is pointed directly at a bright light source like the sun. Ordinarily, it creates an unappealing or distracting circular blob, but while shooting with a multi-thousand-dollar anamorphic cinema lens—or this particular $50 filter—it makes a dramatic horizontal line of golden light. Perfect for stills or video capture, the CineFlare Gold Streak is easy to use and comes in a variety of sizes to suit most lenses.
There’s also a , which, you guessed it, renders a blue streak of light instead of a golden one. Both are perfect for any giftee who appreciates strong aesthetic, in-camera flair.
12For Fast Photo Editors
I’ll admit it, memory card readers aren’t sexy. They don’t come in fun colors or have cool names and manufacturers don’t try to dress them up. Why? They don’t have to. Time is money and any photographer’s post-processing workflow is only as fast as the card and reader they use. There’s plenty of incentive to stay up to date.
The problem is, few photographers remember to do so. (Case and point, I’m in desperate need of an upgrade.) Chances are, your favorite photographer is also using a sluggishly out-of-date media reader.
So help them speed things along with ProGrade Digital’s fastest card reader. Just be sure to double-check which style of card they use to ensure compatibility. There are versions of this card reader for most modern media formats which means it should work for almost any photographer, but you’ll need to do a little homework before tying a bow on it.
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13For Instant Photo Fun
Instant photography, like film, is having a new moment. Perhaps it’s the retro appeal of the medium or the hold-in-your-hand output in a world of screen-based everything that makes it so appealing.
But if you or the photographer in your life hasn’t tried it, do yourselves a favor and pick up an Instax Mini 12 and a few packs of film and snap the day away.
Or save it for a special moment if you have a major life event coming up (like a wedding or anniversary). Either way, this camera is super easy to use with impressive results.
14For Seeking New Horizons
You don’t have to be a wildlife or landscape photographer to appreciate the majesty of America’s most beautiful and protected lands. The America the Beautiful Pass gives your giftee access to all of the United States’ National Parks, plus a large number of monuments, recreational areas, and historic sites for a full year.
With more than 2,000 locations to choose from, there’s no shortage of adventures to pursue. Plus, the pass includes access, in most cases, for one car, so if you’re extra nice and play your cards right, you may end up in the passenger seat.
15For Storing Even More Photos
Listen up. Nothing is more precious to photographers than their images. Gear can be replaced, but photo files can’t. If you’ve noticed your photographer struggles with keeping enough storage on hand for their shoots, or has lost photos because of a memory card failing, then a portable hard drive will give them the field-ready backup they need, not to mention a little more peace of mind.
SanDisk’s Extreme Portable line of solid state drives (SSDs) is among the most rugged, fail-proof, lightweight, and affordable on the market. Plus, SanDisk has been in the storage game for a really long time. So you can trust their bonafides when it comes to safely stowing your irreplaceable media. And with transfer speeds up to 1,050MB/s, you won’t be waiting too long for the day’s highlights to back up.
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16For a Little Extra Light
Flash photography is so 2010. These days, many photographers prefer the versatility of a constant light source that stays on, rather than one that briefly emits a strong burst of light.
In that vein, few sub-$100 solutions are more well-regarded by veteran photographers than Lume Cube’s RGB Go panel. Users can control light output and color temperature to achieve the perfect look.
The panel also sports a built-in, rechargeable battery, and a handy LCD screen on the back keeps key settings highly visible and easily adjustable. Great for stills as well as video, the RGB GO panel is small enough to hold in your hand, but also supports mounting options for a camera or light stand. Simply put, it’s a lot of light for a great price.
17For (Forgetful) Apple Fans
If your photographer has an iPhone or uses a Mac for photo editing, Apple’s AirTag trackers will give them a relatively inexpensive way to find their most precious gear if disaster strikes and it goes missing. They can throw one of these in their camera bag, jacket, or laptop sling, and always be able to track their Apple devices.
If your giftee isn’t an Apple person, but is very forgetful, there is also a universal alternative for Android/Windows users. While I prefer Apple’s version for its petite design, the tracker delivers similar functionality to an AirTag. Either way, though, you can’t go wrong gifting a multi-pack of gear trackers.
18For Post-Instagram Special Effects
Remember when it used to be cool to put filters on Instagram photos? Those days are long-gone, but… playing with image-altering effects can still lead to cool, mind-bending photos. The question is: How do you create psychedelic special effects without using a digital filter? Lensbaby has answers.
The Omni Filter System is a lens-based mount that allows a user to attach and position various reflective “crystals” in front of their camera. Why? Doing so creates all sorts of unique ethereal effects. It may sound cheesy, but the results are nothing short of Dark Side of the Moon cool. Don’t just take my word for it, check out what it can do!
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19For Framing Smartphone Photos
Digital photos are easy enough to share, but sometimes a physical print is better. And no one does on-the-go printing better than Fujifilm. Leveraging the success of its , Fujifilm’s pocket-friendly Instax Link printers can be paired with a wide range of smart devices and digital cameras, allowing just about anyone to turn digital images into Polaroid-style photos wherever, whenever.
I prefer the Instax Link Wide Printer, which makes use of the brand’s largest instant film format. These images pack a punch and churn out in about 90 seconds. All you’ve got to do is take a snap, open the app, tap print, and enjoy.
20Our Favorite Camera Bag-Backpack
Boutique camera bag brand Wandrd has somehow built itself up to become a go-to for traveling photographers everywhere. Its classic backpack line, the PRVKE, is quite possibly the perfect airplane carry-on pack, with space for a laptop, camera rig, lenses, tablet, tripod, and more.
Its roll-top upper allows for expansion and contraction of space as needed, while strap attachment points covering the exterior add to its versatility. It comes in a variety of snazzy colors and is highly water-resistant, no cover needed.
And for even more organization, consider , which pairs the bag 31L with a removable padded storage cube for camera bodies and lens, external straps for attaching more gear and a waist strap to help keep the load off your shoulders.
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