Any special occasions coming up? Holidays? Mother’s day? If you have a photography enthusiast on your list, you may be intimidated by the high costs associated with such a hobby. If that is the case, you have come to the right place! I compiled a list of best gifts for photographers that are not only useful but also under $20!
So let’s get started!
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Who are these gifts for?
Before you continue reading, I do want to clarify who I am targetting in this list.
The items I included in this list are geared toward the photography enthusiast. Why? Because unless you have a very large budget, you probably won’t be able to find anything useful for a professional photographer. They know exactly what they want, and it is probably not cheap!
This list is for moms that want to have their camera handy and get beautiful shots of their children. Or the adventurer that enjoys nature hikes and city walks while carrying minimal equipment. Or beginners who are still learning how to play around with their camera and figuring out their style.
What will you find here?
As I mentioned at the beginning, I am focusing on the best gifts for photographers that are cheap, yet practical.
Some items will provide ways to carry the camera comfortably, others will help take better flash photos, others will help keep the camera and lenses clean. The majority are also small enough to fit in small camera bags or purses. This will also keep the weight and bulk down.
I did take the time to find other items that are “just for fun”. This is because if you do not know the person well, you may not be fully aware of the equipment they already have. These gifts will fill in that gap!
Best Gifts for Photographers
Gifts for the learner
Beginner Photography Books
As I said before, this list is not for professional photographers. Professional photographers will probably get their education by attending high-end courses.
Photography enthusiasts, such as myself, will do a lot of learning on their own. So if you know anybody that wants to take on photography as a hobby, these books would be a FANTASTIC starting point.
A book I own is Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson. It taught me all the fundamentals in ways that were easy to understand and apply. Through this book, I learned how to optimize aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to get shoot anything from landscape to wildlife. It even includes a section on flash photography, which is another beast of its own. A lot of the concepts in this book are not limited to DSLRs; i.e., they can also be applied to high-quality point-and-shoot cameras.
Here is another book that I do not own, but it caught my attention. It is How to Create Stunning Digital Photography, by Tony Northrup. What I like about it is that it references videos that go along with the book. This would really help those visual learners that need to see the action in order to better understand the concepts. Definitely worth a check!
Portable Photography Gear
If you already know about me and this blog, you will know that we are all about traveling and exploring. That means that we are constantly on the move, and we are already carrying other items for our kids and ourselves.
For that reason, I am always on the lookout for gear and accessories that can help me take better photos without adding much more weight and bulk. This list contains items that will help take beautiful photos without carrying an entire photo studio wherever you go!
Cleaning Kit for DSLR Cameras
I personally LOVE lens pens. It is so easy to carry and so effective at keeping my lenses clean. This camera and lens cleaning kit includes other items to help to remove dust and fingerprint marks (those of you with little kids know what I am talking about) without damaging the glass.
Lightweight Camera Tripod
There are multiple options on the market, but I personally own and love the Pedco Ultrapod. This thing is awesome. It will not replace a full tripod, but it is so practical when you just want to create a stable surface and angle the camera for the best composition. I have used it multiple times to take family travel photos and on the trail. In fact, it is great for parents that want to have a camera gear on the trail. It can even be used as a short “selfie stick” for your camera.
Filter Wallet Case
When taking outdoor pictures, having a set of filters can make all the difference. I am not adding the actual filters to the list for two reasons: Filters can be pricy AND you would need to know the diameter of the lenses the recipient owns. What I included here is the ouch to take them on the go. This slim pouch is a great way to carry those filters without taking much space at all.
Portable Flash Gear
Perhaps you are not aware of this, but flash photography is actually quite tricky. One thing that becomes important is the ability to properly diffuse the light. Failure to do so will result in washed-out images and harsh shadows.
In a lot of cases, you cannot use flash on its own. Yet, it is difficult to use flash without bulky equipment. For that reason, flash diffusers that can be folded down are great for portability.
There are flash reflectors available for this purpose, but I personally prefer softboxes. Options in this category include a softbox or a diffuser cap.
Keep in mind, however, that those options would require the recipient to already have a hot-show flash. For that reason, I would also suggest a universal softbox, which should work on hot-shoe flashes or on-camera flashes.
Storage and Carrying Gifts
These practical items will help to carry the equipment safely and comfortably.
Camera Bag Insert
A camera bag insert has been a life-saver for me. It is so much more practical when you only need your camera and one or two accessories, as it removes the need to carry a separate camera bag. I do not own this particular camera bag insert, yet I highly recommend it because it is waterproof! That is a huge peace of mind!
If you are ready to splurge a bit more for the female nature photography enthusiast, take a look at the best camera hiking backpacks for women here.
Neoprene Camera Strap
One issue in general with camera straps is the neck strain they cause. This neoprene strap, however, is nice and wide which should provide great comfort. It does have two pockets but they do look small. Perhaps suitable for keys, lens caps, or lens cloth.
This vintage-style strap also caught my attention. I think it is gorgeous!
Camera Sling Strap
Speaking of comfort, removing the weight from your neck is always a welcomed feature. This sling camera strap effectively transfers the weight from your neck to your shoulder. It also securely attaches to the camera through the tripod plate. The downside is having the camera dangling on the side.
Related: 25 Gifts for Outdoorsy Women
Just for Fun
As I said before, you may not know whether the recipient already has some of the suggestions I have made so far. If that is the case, then take a look at some of the items below.
Camera Lens Coffee Mug
My sister gave me this travel coffee mug a few years ago and I still love it. It is a great travel mug and an even better conversation piece!
Photography T-Shirt
It is difficult to go wrong with a nice T-Shirt. This Explore T-Shirt caught my attention because I am all about exploring!
Camera Wooden Pencil Holder
This wooden pencil holder is not only functional, but it is also quite beautiful. I personally love the look of the natural wood.
Steel Metal Wine Bottle Holder
Ok, I broke the rule here. This one is well above the $20 mark I mentioned earlier, but I think this Wine Holder would be a great gift for a photography enthusiast AND a wine lover!
Related: 51 Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids
Mix things up!
If you are not sure whether one of these items would be enough, you can always mix things up!
If you are not sure whether one of these items would be enough, you can always mix things up!
- If you know the recipient likes to travel, then the camera bag insert, portable tripod, and a sling camera strap would be a great combination.
- For the stylish person, a nice t-shirt, a coffee mug, and a comfortable strap would make a nice gift.
- The beginner photographer would benefit from a comfortable strap, a portable flash diffuser, and a good photography book.
With a bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless!
So there you have it! A compilation of best gifts for photographers that won’t break the bank. Perhaps you are the budding photographer. If so, treat yourself to one of these…you’ve earned it!
Is there anything I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
