Gift Ideas For Photographers This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, so comes the usual search for a gift with some purpose and substance. If you know a photographer — a professional one or a serious amateur — the search for a gift can be a dilemma you may face. That is why I decided to compile some gift ideas from my wishlist. Here's a gift ideas checklist based on my experiences and wishlist as a photographer.

Film

First of all, let’s talk about something obvious, but often forgotten: movie film itself. For those who shoot film, movie film is something you can never have too much of, and what kind you use is always a good decision because people simply love working with new film stocks.

With film prices reaching an all-time high, this gift is sure to be a smile-bringer for your photographer.

Rethink the Disposable Camera Trend

Disposable cameras had their trendy moment, and while the intention behind gifting them is sweet, let's be honest: at this point, most photographers have already received one (or several) as gifts. They're fun for a party or special event, but they're not particularly economical or environmentally friendly.

Kodak Snapic A1 / Source: Kodak

Rather, think about an old or new point-and-shoot camera that can be reloaded. Models from brands like Olympus, Canon, and Nikon can be found at reasonable prices and offer the spontaneity of a disposable with the quality and sustainability of a proper camera. Your photographer friend will get far more use and enjoyment from something they can reload and use for years to come. Personally, I find the new Kodak Snapic A1 a great gift option.

A camera bag 

Every photographer takes equipment with him, yet few photographers possess a bag which will correspond with his style and needs. A good photograph bag is one of those things that people tend to postpone purchasing, so it makes an excellent gift.

Long Weekend Santa Fe camera bag 

For a photographer who likes design and function, options such as Long Weekend offer a design aesthetic that isn’t shouting "camera bag" but serves to keep one’s gear organized. I have two of these and they’re really useful for travel purposes.

That is, think about what they might need for a single camera and a few lenses, and what they would need for a lot of equipment. Consider the type of photography they will be doing most often: a street photographer will appreciate something with good concealment and rapid access, while a landscape shooter may demand weather-sealing and hike-worthy design.

SSD

Here’s a gift with which the receiver may not be delighted upon opening it but will be appreciative of in the long run: an external SSD drive.

Though it might seem like a purely utilitarian gift, it's one that shows you understand the practical realities of their craft. Every time they back up an important shoot or recover space on their computer, they'll think of you.

Look for drives with at least 1TB of storage, but 2TB is always better if you are a content creator. There are some trusted options available from Samsung, SanDisk, and WD, among other brands.

Classic Polaroid

I much prefer old-school Polaroid cameras to the newer ones. Old-school ones can be picked up pretty easily at vintage shopping sites or even eBay, and let me tell you, they’re worth every dollar you spend on one. Polaroid cameras produce memories you can hold and display right away. They're just perfect for documenting important life moments like holidays and travels.

The eight exposures per pack make each one count. There is no delete function, no do-over here. So my advice would be to include the camera with a pair of rolls of film to finish out the gift.

The Lego Camera

For something completely different but just as delightful, I would recommend the Lego camera kit. This is a detailed replica of a vintage camera design that any photographer would love to have in their collection.

There are a few Lego sets available relating to photography, including Polaroid, film cameras, and a vintage cinema camera. This would be a wonderful gift if the person already has everything they need related to photography