Gift Ideas for Photographers

This is my first-annual holiday gift ideas for photographers. If I am being honest, this list starts off small, with $20 costs and, a dozen items later, hits $8000. It’s a bit much, but I justify it like this. Some items are what you’ll likely buy the photographer in your life. Other items are what you’ll buy for yourself, if you’re the only photographer in your life.

No matter how you look at it, any photographer will appreciate these gifts.

I have always believed in shopping local and focusing spending at small retailers. With that spirit in mind, this list includes plenty of suggestions for quality photography-related gifts from fellow photographers and myself. It also includes a few of my favorite pieces of equipment I’d be thrilled to receive on Christmas morning.

Before I dive into it, I must let you know that there are a few affiliate links in the article. If you click on one of these links, I’ll earn a few dollars. The vast majority of recommendations are simply because I think it makes a great gift. For my own products, I obviously earn that income.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Photographers

Fine Art Prints

I have a collection of prints on my website that can be purchased with the click of a few buttons. But for this holiday season, I am offering much more. I am providing holiday discounts on an individual basis, based on print materials and shipping cost. Rather than hit purchase on my website, I encourage you browse my Instagram for an image you love and send me a direct message. I will save you as much as possible!

Beautiful Calendars

Even though I don’t produce an annual calendar, I know they make beautiful gifts that photographers appreciate. Here are three I would consider:

1. Andy Austin’s 2021 Montana Calendar
2. Johan Lolos’ 2021 Wall Calendar
3. Dani LeFrancois’s 2021 Canadian Rockies Calendar     

Post Processing Presets

Photographers love presets. Practically every photographer uses Lightroom and Photoshop, so a preset collection is a pretty great gift even if you can only pass it on digitally. Two sets I cannot live without are:

1. Jack Fusco’s Astrophotography presets for Adobe Lightroom
2. Shutter Evolve’s Raya Pro 5.0 for Adobe Photoshop

Banff National Park Photo Workshops

Throughout the winter, I am offering custom, individual and small group (participants from the same cohort) photography workshops in Banff National Park.  The workshops are subject to COVID-19 restrictions and safety procedures. To learn more, visit my Canadian Rockies Workshop page and reach out to book your date.

For my one-on-one workshops in Banff National Park, I keep the money local. All profits are spent at Bow Valley businesses.

Beautiful Photography Books

Completing my first book project is a priority for 2021, but I am not quite there. Four books I love having on my coffee table are:

1. Neil Zeller’s Porchraits of Calgary
2. David duChemin’s Pilgrims and Nomads
3. John Marriot’s What Bears Teach Us

Stocking Stuffers (Under $100 Gifts)

Photography equipment all seems to cost a fortune; however, there are some important pieces of photography kit that cost less than $100 that all photographer appreciate. These items also tend to be the one’s we do without, as we save our money for larger purchases.

I cannot imagine a single photographer that wouldn’t appreciate:

1. Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap
2. Photographic Solutions Digital Survival Kit for Full Frame Cameras
3. Kirk Universal Small L-Bracket
4. Polaroid Now cameras and film

Wrapped Under the Tree (under $500 gifts)

These larger gifts come with a more hefty price tag, so they should be bought more cautiously. I’d suggest asking a few questions before you order, to gauge both their need and appreciate for your idea. Just be subtle and you’ll still be able to surprise them.

1. Think Tank camera backpack
2. PolarPro Variable Neutral Density Filter | Peter McKinnon Edition
3. DJI Mavic Mini II drone (UAV)
4. Benro Mach3 Series 2 9x Carbon Fibre Tripod

Break the Bank (over $500, way over)

Let’s be honest. If you’re on my website, there is a good chance you’re the photographer in your life. You might even be looking for an excuse to buy yourself a huge gift. Whether it’s a reward for 12 months hard work or a solution for upcoming photography work, here are some items I either use every day or wish I owned:

1. Mirrorless camera: Sony A7RIV | Canon R5 | Nikon Z7II
2. The Lens Trinity: 16-35 mm | 24-70 mm | 70-200 mm
3. f-stop Tilopa 50L camera backpack
4. Dell XPS17 Laptop
5. BENQ 27″ 4k PhotoVue Monitor

More Holiday Inspiration

My entire photography career has focused on adventure, so I don’t want to limit my holiday gift ideas for photographers to just photography equipment. Next week, I’ll share my Adventure Holiday Gift Ideas that will help get you – or the photographer in your life – outside and in position to capture stronger images.

Check back soon. Until then, happy shopping.