12 Best Budget Gift Ideas for Photographers
When the holidays roll around or when birthdays beckon, it can sometimes be difficult for those of us who have photographers as their loved ones to find a gift for those important people in our lives that don’t break the bank. Most of us don’t have stacks like the guy in the image does above to drop on a new setup!
Despite the fact that photography is definitely a hobby that is more expensive than others, there are tons of critical accessories that can be purchased without taking a hit to your savings account. The best thing about these items is that even though they cost less than a new lens or new camera, they can have just as big of an impact on their photography as one of those big ticket items.
Disclaimer: I have a lot of Peak Design accessories listed here. I have not received any financial compensation for this article. I just love their products and think that they truly help make better photographers! Not only that, but each of their products complements the others, so when used together you get more value out of them than you would using them independently.
I’ve also linked to these products for easy purchase. If you do have a local photography store in your area I strongly encourage you to contact them to see if they carry any of these options. Support your local businesses!
Peak Design Capture Clip
I am absolutely in love with the Peak Design Capture Clip, and I recommend it to every photographer that I meet. This is the perfect accessory - it transforms any backpack or belt loop into a quickdraw holster for your camera. No more fussing over straps or dealing with your camera bouncing up and down against you. The capture clip makes it incredibly easy to unclip your camera and fire off a quick shot while keeping it securely fastened to your belt or bag.
Bags & Cases
Getting the right bag can be extremely challenging. I personally love the Peak Designs Everyday bags and the Peak Design Travel bags. They are high quality and are extremely versatile, sure to be a good fit for any photographer’s equipment.
I’m also a huge fan of the Peak Design Camera Cubes (pictured right). I use these to transport my photography gear almost everywhere. I’ll utilize the bags and the cubes together to ensure my camera gear is well protected while I’m traveling, but easily accessible and arrangeable when I need to get at it quickly.
Camera Strap
It might not seem like the camera strap that you use could have a huge impact on the way that a photographer shoots. I thought the same thing until I upgraded to a Peak Design strap. For years I had used my standard “Nikon” strap that came with my camera; never again! The Peak straps come in several different varieties, with options for all camera types and sizes. The big reasons to upgrade to one of these bad boys are 1) they are easily adjustable, 2) they are easily removable, 3) you can transfer your strap between cameras or even bags in the blink of an eye, and 4) they look far cooler than the stock camera straps. Ok, reason number four won’t make you a better photographer on it’s own, but there’s no denying that swag is important!
Tripod
This is the item on the list that will likely cost the most coin, but it’s also the most important tool in any photographer’s arsenal. Having a high quality, easy to use tripod can make a night and day difference during a photoshop. As you might have guessed, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is the best option out on the market. It’s compact, quick to setup, can be used with your phone, and it can be used with the PD capture clip.
If you want a more affordable option, the Sirui T-025S is a great option. It’s almost as small as the PD Travel Tripod, and the carbon fiber option is less than half the price of the PD offering. I have used this tripod for years and absolutely love it.
Portable Lighting Setup
Light is the lifeblood of a photographer. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to take photos. Oftentimes light can be hard to come by, so the best solution is to have a portable light unit that you can bring with you anywhere. I personally love the Litra Pro. It’s super compact, has a long battery life, is easy to use, and can be controlled directly on your phone. It also has a wide temperature range and throws a TON of light for its small size.
Filters & Lens Protectors
Lens protectors and filters can sometimes be a second thought to lots of photographers, but they are critical accessories that every photographer should have - especially lens protectors. I have had many a lens be saved by a high quality lens protector that I had put on.
You’ll need to make sure that you get the filter that fits your lenses. I highly recommend the ProMaster filters. I use their protection filters on all of my lenses, and I utilize their ND / Polarizing filters when I’m out shooting. Formatt Hitech and Breakthrough Photography also make awesome filters.
Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription
Editing photos is almost as important as shooting them, and the Adobe Suite is the most renowned photo editing application in the game. For most photographers the Photography plan does everything they need and more, giving them access to Lightroom and Photoshop. An annual plan is $120, making it a perfect holiday gift.
Prints
As a photographer there is no better feeling than seeing one of your favorite photos hanging up on the wall in a large format, high quality print. Seeing your photos in a physical manifestation can completely change the way you view them and provide newfound motivation for many photographers. If your photographer hasn’t done much printing of their photos, getting a nice sized print displaying their best work is a guaranteed success.
I use The Camera Company to print my photos. This was the photography shop I worked at, and they run a great operation. They are a small local business, so you know you’re money is going to a good organization!
Film
Photographers who shoot film are always scrounging for more film. Expired, new, whatever - we don’t care. If there’s a photographer in your life that shoots film, you can’t go wrong with film as a stocking stuffer or gift. Adorama has tons of film options available. Below are some of my favorite film types to shoot with.
Dry Bags
I don’t go ANYWHERE with my camera without having a dry bag tucked in with my gear. I have been caught in the rain far too many times and had to scramble to protect my gear - I learned my lessons the hard way. Take my word for it, and keep your gear safe.
I really like the Sea to Summit dry bags. They are good quality, and come in a variety of sizes. That being said, pretty much any dry bag works. It’s worth it buying from a reputable brand so you know you’re getting a product that was designed with intention.
Insta X Mini Camera & Film
The Insta X Mini is sort of a novelty camera, and is a popular choice among young kids as a camera to take pictures of their friends. Even in the hands of a photographer used to shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless setup, it’s nothing more than that - a camera to just have fun shooting with. The pictures print out right there and then, giving you an awesome party favor to pass out, or providing you with an awesome way to start a conversation or make a connection.
Workshops
There’s one thing that can’t be replaced in photography, and that’s experience. Seasoned photographers have a wealth of knowledge that can help newer photographers avoid the same mistakes they made and improve their photography by leaps and bounds. We offer a 1v1 workshop that can fit your photographer’s specific needs, and have a plethora of workshops in progress that you can get for 50% off before they launch in 2021.
Have any additional ideas for further budget gifts for photographers? Leave them in the comments below!
