Shopping for a photographer? Here are our top gift ideas
Keen photographers are a notoriously tricky bunch to buy gifts for, mainly because they’ve probably already got a camera bag that’s bustling with gear. But if you're looking for some inspiration, we’ve curated a list of the best photography-focused gifts that you can buy this year.
We’ve steered clear of high-end cameras or lenses as there’s a good chance your giftee is very well-equipped here already. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of accessories, small compact cameras, smartphone-enhancing gadgets, or personalised ideas to choose from.
Don’t miss our shopping guides for the best technology gifts, the best gifts for music lovers, the best gifts for gamers and the best gifts for movie lovers, too.
Instax Mini 40
A photographer doesn’t have to rely on expensive kit to show off their creativity, and the Instax mini 40 is great for capturing those special moments without a high-end camera — instantly popping out credit card-sized prints that are ideal for putting in a wallet or can be made into a collage. We love the classic black and silver design, and reckon this makes a brilliant present for children and teenagers, too.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Book
Featuring 100 awe-inspiring images from the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, this coffee table book is packed with the winning shots, plus descriptions from the photographer about how and why they were taken. This 160-page hardcover is perfect for sparking a conversation among photo-lovers.
Peak Design Mobile Creator Kit
We’re fans of all the clever bits in Peak Design’s range of phone accessories that work with its phone cases. The Mobile Creator Kit is a great way to get a phone in a Peak Design case quickly attached to a tripod, whether for photography, filming videos, or FaceTime calls. As smartphones are the most convenient cameras that are always on us, we think this is a super handy gift for any avid snapper.
ShiftCam SnapGrip
This device instantly gives a smartphone a more camera-like design, with a large protruding grip for added stability and a wireless shutter so you don’t have to tap the usual photo button to take a picture. If your giftee has an iPhone 12 or later, it magnetically snaps onto the back of the handset, but it works with all other handsets too, as it comes with a magnetic circle that sticks to the back. We recommend the creator kit — which contains a SnapLight, SnapPod and Carry Pouch — to get even more accessories.
Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L v2
If you’re buying a gift for a photographer who likes to have a few lenses on hand, a smart sling is the way to go. We love both the compact 3-litre and slightly larger 6-litre versions of this everyday bag from Peak Design. We took it out with us for a few photoshoots and found it super versatile, with customisable dividers and lots of padding, and a waterproof exterior that’s protective for all our gear. The 6-litre one will happily store a couple of lenses as well as a camera body and the extras any amateur or professional photographer might need.
Woolnut Leather & Wool Camera Strap
Is your giftee still using the branded strap that came with their camera? An essential upgrade for anyone bringing their shooter on a trip is a proper strap, and this Woolnut neck strap is the real deal, pairing Scandinavian full-grain leather with natural wool for a super comfortable and robust way to keep a heavy mirrorless or DSLR feeling less weighty on those long days out.
Snapfish personalised photo products
Choose from a selection of personalised photo books, canvas prints, calendars, mugs, cards and more with this easy-to-use printing website — simply add your own snaps from your computer or phone, choose a design and size, then you’re ready to order.
Luma Camera Sling 12L
The Gomatic X Peter McKinnon Luma camera sling is a great pick for any photographer with its clever magnetic lid closure. That’s perfect for quick access to camera gear without the hassle of zipping, and there’s more than enough space here for a camera and a couple of lenses.
Its dual functionality as both a camera sling and packing cube is handy for its versatility too, and we like how it comes in either a 9-litre or 12-litre size. We’re also impressed by the smooth adjustment of the shoulder strap, how it has a durable exterior for all conditions, and that it has a lifetime warranty.
Instax Mini Link 2 photo printer
If your giftee prefers physical pictures over digital collections, this portable photo printer lets them print snaps taken from their phone’s gallery (or via Instagram and Facebook). The rectangular wallet-sized prints are great for sharing with friends and family, popping in a card, or sticking to a fridge. It's simple to set up and use, and the replaceable film is widely available online.
Camera Lens Mug With Lid
Forget about a standard travel mug — photography fans will adore this lens-shaped drinks holder, which looks uncannily similar to an official Canon lens, complete with dials, switches and markings. Ideal for keeping in a backpack, this gift is under £15 too.
Manfrotto mini tripod with clamp
This compact tripod is great for adding stability to smartphone photography or vlogging. It’s small, light, made from a sturdy stainless steel and bundled with a universal smartphone clamp.
Sony DSC-HX99 Compact Camera
It may be expensive, but this compact Sony camera is the ideal travel companion — the 18.2 megapixel lens with autofocus captures crisp images, but it also shoots 4K video, making this a top gift for anyone who wants to also use it to make vlogs or clips for social media. There’s also a tiltable touch screen to make sure your giftee always stays in frame while taking selfies and low-angle shots.
Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs
We highly recommend grabbing this book for budding photographers – it's stuffed full of ideas, tips and inspiration to help anyone take better snaps, and get their head around what makes incredible photography. And as a bonus, it's devoid of confusing jargon.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Headphones? We know what you're thinking. What do these have to do with photography? Well, if you're buying a gift for someone getting into street or city photography, a good pair of noise-cancelling buds can help silence the distracting sounds of everything around them, helping them focus on getting the best shot. For iPhone users, AirPods are the best.
Google Pixel 7a
There’s no rule that states all photos must be taken on a “proper” camera. In fact, the Google Pixel 7a takes some of the best pictures we’ve seen from an affordable smartphone. There’s lots of smart AI wizardry going on in the background that helps produce consistently impressive shots without effort, making this a brilliant point-and-shoot device to always have in your pocket.
SanDisk 128GB Ultra Dual Drive Go
This is an ideal little present for any smartphone photographer or anyone editing their photos on a tablet. It's a perfect little gadget for transferring snaps between devices, and we use ours all the time to get pictures from smartphones over to our iPad or Mac for extra edits. It's a reversible drive, so it gives you both USB-C and USB-A for older devices.
Photography Buff Mug
This mug comes with a retro camera design and an inspirational quote, and you can personalise it with your giftee’s name for an extra £3.
£15.00 at notonthehighstreet.com
myFujifilm Framed Prints & Framed Gifts
You really can't go wrong by getting a keen photographer a print of some of their most prized work, especially if you're able to make some stunning wall art out of an image with a lot of meaning to your giftee. We've got prints from myFujifilm in our own home so can attest to the high quality of the results.
Kodak 35mm Single Use Camera
Here’s a bit of nostalgia. This single-use disposable camera shoots on 35mm film in colour and comes with 39 exposures in total, plus there’s a built-in flash for taking pictures in low light.
Peak Design Mobile Tripod
For stable pictures and videos on a phone without needing to carry a separate tripod, we recommend this attachable version, which snaps to the back of a handset and folds in and out as needed. It has aluminium legs that are strong, twists into landscape or portrait modes, and there's a small ball-head for silky smooth pans. It works with MagSafe phones and cases, or the Peak Design case or its universal adapter.
Anker Power Bank 533
Take a smartphone or camera out for an all-day photo session and batteries will eventually run out. That’s why we recommend carrying a portable power bank for peace of mind. This Anker model has 10,000mAh capacity — enough to charge most phones twice over — and a helpful screen that shows battery status, plus it comes in five colour options: black, blue, purple, green and white.
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