2014 Christmas Gift Guide for Photographers

It’s that time of year when you’re probably starting to think about what you can get your friends and family for Christmas, and some of them may be asking what you would like as well. For photographers there are always plenty of items on the wishlist.

Fortunately, there are options in every price range. Expensive camera bodies and lenses aren’t the only option, there are a lot of great gifts at much lower prices.

In this article we’ll highlight 15 ideal gifts for photographers. If you are looking to get the right gift for a photographer this list should give you plenty of ideas, and if you’re looking for gift suggestions for yourself this list can also help you too. The prices listed are current at the time the article was written, so please be sure to verify the current price as well as take into account those prices are in USD.

1. Holga Camera ($29.99)

A plastic Holga camera is a fun gift for any photographer. It’s very affordable and makes it easy to capture fun photos with a vintage or retro feel.

Holga

2. Lensbaby Spark ($89.95)

The Spark lens from Lensbaby is another great option for fun and creative photography. With Spark you can use selective focus thanks to its tilting body. It allows for plenty of experimentation and creativity and will produce unique photos. Spark is available for Nikon and Canon DSLRs.

Lensbaby Spark

3. Magazine Subscription ($11 and up)

A magazine subscription is a great gift that can be enjoyed all year long. There are many different magazines to choose from, with a wide range in prices. You can select a general photography magazine, or choose one based on a specific type of photography like landscapes, portraits, or black & whites. Magazine.com is a convenient place to get a subscription to just about any of the leading photography magazines.

Photography Magazines

4. Books (prices vary)

Another option for reading material is a book. There are countless books on photography, different genres of photography, and just about any specific aspect of photography. There are also books for all different levels of experience. If you’re looking for a great, affordable gift, a book may be an excellent choice. Amazon has a very large collection of photography books available, and of course they also have e-books for the Kindle.

Photography Books

5. The Complete Lightroom & ACR Presets Bundle ($99)

The Complete Lightroom & ACR Presets Bundle includes more than $760 worth of presets for Adobe Lightroom (4, 5, 6, CC, Classic), and Adobe Camera Raw!

It’s the ultimate presets bundle and a great gift for any photographer and Lightroom or ACR user.

The Complete Lightroom & ACR Presets Bundle

6. Squijoo Membership ($100/year)

Squijoo is a membership website that provides print templates for photographers. Active members can download templates for a wide range of purposes. They have marketing templates as well as a large selection of templates to be used with client photos. Squijoo members have plenty of templates available for use in their work.

Squijoo

7. GorillaPod ($44.05)

The GorillaPod is a flexible tripod that can be used in situations where a more traditional tripod would be useless. GorillaPods are ideal for traveling photographers and those who may find themselves in any environment needing a steady surface to get a sharp photo. There are several different models available in a variety of prices.

GorillaPod

8. Spyder4 Screen Calibrator ($169)

Having a properly calibrated screen or monitor is important for any photographer. The colors of most monitors are off, and the result can be prints that wind up not looking as intended. Post processing can be far more effective and exact when the display has been effectively calibrated. The Spyder4 is one of the leading options for easily calibrating colors. It can be used with desktop monitors, laptops, and even tablets and phones.

Spyder

9. Reflectors ($18.95)

Reflectors are a nice, affordable gift option. This set from Neewer includes a 5-in-1 reflector (translucent, silver, gold, white, and black). A reflector is a must-have for any photographer who takes portraits, whether it be in a studio or outdoors.

Reflectors

10. Zeiss Lens Wipes, 200 ($15.98)

Every photographer needs to keep his or her lenses clean, so lens wipes make a practical and very low-priced gift. They make great stocking stuffers that every photographer will want to keep on them.

Zeiss Lens Wipes

11. Photography T-Shirts ($15)

Are you looking for a creative and unique gift? How about a photography t-shirt? Forty Sixty has some really awesome and stylish t-shirts available.

Forty Sixty T-Shirts

12. Mug or Cup ($14.96)

As far as novelty gifts for photographers go, the lens mug is one of the most popular options. There are many different lens mugs available on Amazon alone. Aside from the lens mugs, there are also other styles of travel mugs, ceramic mugs, and cups for photographers. Some have different sayings or quotes, and some simply feature a graphic of a vintage camera. Prices vary, but may are available at Amazon for around $15.

Lens Mug

13. Wristbands ($7.99)

Another novelty gift option is a set of lens wristbands/bracelets. The rubber wristbands replicate the look and markings of a lens and make a fun and inexpensive gift. If you’re looking for a gift that nobody else is likely to get for your friend or family member, this could be a great choice.

Bracelets - Wristbands

Your Turn Now

I hope you enjoyed our 2014 Photography Christmas Gift Guide. Of course we could’ve included a lot more items on this list, but feel free to let us know via Twitter or Facebook with your ideas :)

Ready to seriously improve your photography?

  • Join thousands of photographers
  • Free presets and resources
  • Articles and tutorials
  • Exclusive deals and discounts
    Previous Article

    Art Inside Art – The Real World Of The Gaming Photography Universe

    Next Article

    Lighting It Up - Photoshop Video Tutorial