Whether you have a special photographer in your life that you want to make smile, or you are looking to treat yourself, we’ve got you covered. This list is full of our favorite photography gizmos, gadgets, and (of course) cameras.
INSTANT FILM
Instant film photography is crazy fun. This is our go-to category for gifts, and we have given these cameras to many friends and family. They’re perfect for anyone, young or old (our 4-year old is obsessed), and will be a hit at any party.
Top Pick! ⭐️
Instax Mini 9(Cobalt Blue)
If you want to get into instant film photography for the lowest price, this is your camera. It’s cheap, light, and wicked fun. It’s also great for kids (this is the model our 4-year-old uses).
Get it on Amazon
Top Pick! ⭐️
Instax Mini Film
When buying your Instax mini camera, don’t forget to grab a ton of film! There’s nothing more fun than having a stack of film just waiting to be shot! (If you think you’ll be shooting a lot, check out this big bundle of film for an even better deal.)
Get it on Amazon
Instax Mini 70
This camera is one step up from the Mini 8, and has a few more features, like a selfie mirror, auto exposure, and improved image quality, especially in low light or indoor situations. It comes in three colors – yellow, blue and white.
Get it on Amazon
Instax Mini 90
This is the cream of the Instax Mini crop. The features on this camera are endless – double exposure, manual mode, bulb mode, and more. If you are gifting for a serious instant film shooter, or a pro who really wants to get into instant, this is the one.
Get it on Amazon
Instax Wide 300
Instax Wide film is twice the size of Instax Mini, and this is the camera to shoot it. It has two focus modes, a tripod mount, a close up lens, and more. It’s big, but Instax Wide is really awesome, and this is the camera we find ourselves using around the house the most.
Get it on Amazon
Instax Wide Film
Don’t forget to grab some film to go with your Instax Wide camera! A big stack of film helps to make any instant photographer feel excited to get out and shoot!
Get it on Amazon
Video Review: Fuji Instax Comparison
- A super helpful comparison of all the Fujifilm Instax camera models, so you know which is best for you!
- Which instant film camera is my favorite?
- What the Instax printer is all about
Instax SP-2 Printer
The perfect gift for someone who loves both instant film and smartphone photography. With this printer you can print out your smartphone (or DSLR) photos onto instant film. Super handy for parties or just having around the house! Uses Instax Mini film.
There’s also a different model SP-3, which you can check out here.
Get it on Amazon
Instax Mini Album
You can’t go wrong with a stack of these Instax albums! They make a perfect stocking stuffer for the Instax Mini lover in your life. There are a ton of colors, they’re cheap and feature the awesome title: Pieces of Moment. These are the best.
Get it on Amazon
CAMERAS & LENSES
What makes a photographer happier than opening a new camera or lens? Here are a few of our favorite cameras for photographers from beginner to pro, along with a couple of great lens options. Knock their socks off with these!
Our Favorite
Fujifilm X-T2
Want to win at gift giving? Give the photographer in your life this amazing camera. Our new absolute favorite, this has become the most talked-about camera of 2016.
Check Prices on Amazon
Video Review: Fuji X-T2
- Our thoughts on the X-T2
- Favorite lenses
- Why it’s replacing our main cameras
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
For the beginner ready to get serious, you can’t go wrong with the Canon Rebel. This wildly popular model is the first step into the DSLR world, at a price point that’s hard to beat!
Check Prices on Amazon
Canon 80D
Ready to step up from the Rebel? The Canon 80D is a great upgrade, and is also perfect for someone looking to shoot great video too. This is an awesome intermediate camera. (Body only.)
Check Prices on Amazon
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
This is a near-mythic lens. A great focal length, with a super wide aperture, for just over $100. That’s amazing! Perfect for any photographer who doesn’t have one yet.
Check Prices on Amazon
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
The Nikon model of the “nifty fifty”. This is a well known lens for both how versatile it is, as well as how well it works in low light. Great for every photographer.
Check Prices on Amazon
OTHER SWEET GEAR
There’s a whole lot more to choose from other than just cameras! Every photographer needs a bevy of other gadgets to get them through the shoot, and these range from bags to batteries to tripods and printers. The following are some of our favorites and would be great for any kit.
Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag
These bags got the whole photography world talking for how versatile and stylish they are. Whenever we are heading out the door this is the bag we pick up!
Check Prices on Amazon
Peak Design Slide Neckstrap
Do you hate putting neckstraps on and off your camera? This is a game changer. Remove the strap in seconds, and adjust the length just as quickly. It’s hard to overstate just how much we love this strap.
Check Prices on Amazon
DJI Mavic Pro
The drone that will change everything. This brand new model is insanely small and boasts incredible features. It’s not available until January, but if you bought it for someone, I don’t think they’d be upset about that.
Check Prices on Amazon
DJI Phantom 4
This is probably the best option for a drone that you can buy today. This is the guy we use, and we are always blown away by the image quality, especially for the price. If you know someone wanting to get into drone photography, check this one out.
Check Prices on Amazon
DJI Osmo Mobile
This little gadget helps you get crazy smooth video footage out of your smartphone. A motorized gimbal, it stabilizes the image to give incredible cinematic shots. It also has crazy cool features like subject tracking and timelapse with movement. Pretty mind blowing stuff in a tiny package.
Check Prices on B&H
Vello Wireless Shutterboss II Remote
Know a photographer who is into star photography? Or someone looking to shoot their own family portraits? This is a great practical gift. It makes it super easy to trigger your camera remotely and get in the shot. We use this one all the time.
Check Prices on Amazon
Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer
Make 2017 the year of actually printing photos by giving this awesome printer! Get absolutely stunning prints, right at home. The price is after a $150 mail in rebate active until Dec.31, so this is a great deal!
Check Prices on B&H
MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum Travel Tripod
A tripod is one of those things that every photographer should have in their kit, and this one is our favorite all-around option. It’s small, stylish, affordable and has some really handy features. Best of all, it’s fast to set up and take down! Comes in a range of color options, and sizes.
Check Prices on B&H
Canon Selphy Wireless Printer
This teeny printer is a blast. Connect wirelessly to your phone or select Canon cameras, and print out 4×6 photos right at home! It’s a fast and easy way to get your photos off your devices, and into your hands.
Check Prices on Amazon
Rode Video Mic Pro
Looking to get into video? You need a mic and this is the one to get. Don’t even think twice about it. Great video needs great audio.
Check Prices on Amazon
Wacom Tablet
For the photographer who does a lot of retouching or digital compositing, a tablet is an essential tool. It’s like the difference between painting with a brush (tablet) or painting with a brick (mouse). Trust me, it’ll change your life.
Check Prices on Amazon
WD 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive
Photographers can never have too many hard drives, so this is an easy choice for any shooter! This drive is pretty (when does that happen?), comes in different colors, and is super portable. Keep your photos safe in style. (Western Digital should pay me for that line. But they didn’t.)
Check Prices on Amazon
SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SDXC Flash Memory Card
A big, fast memory card can make sure you’re ready to get the shot, instead of fumbling to switch a card, or waiting for that blasted buffer! Perfect stocking stuffer.
Check Prices on Amazon
Wasabi Spare Batteries
Ok, so it might not be sexy, but man do spare batteries make your life a whole lot easier as a photographer! I mean, what’s worse than running out of battery life right when you most need it? Don’t let that happen to you or your loved ones. Get a stack of batteries and shoot on.
Check Prices on Amazon
Anker PowerCore 20100 – Ultra High Capacity Power Bank
Have you ever run out of battery life, and then grabbed a power pack and kept on going? I have, and I can tell you, you feel like a superhero. Everyone with tech gear needs one of these, and this option is crazy powerful for an awesome price.
Check Prices on Amazon
LensPen
STOCKING STUFFER ALERT! Yep, you should always stick one of these in the stocking of every photographer. Keep those lenses clean, and keep those photos crisp and clear!
Check Prices on Amazon
EDUCATION
What’s the best investment for any creative career? Knowledge. Give your photographer (or yourself!) the gift of education, and learn new skills.
Photography Concentrate Tutorials
Grab a tutorial (or two or three!) and learn great photography skills the fun and fast way.
With topics for everyone, beginner to pro, our tutorials will shave years off your learning curve. Learn to control your camera, edit your photos, master composition, understand light, start a business, and more!
Get them in the shop!
Lynsey AddarioIt’s What I Do
A powerful memoir written by war photographer Lynsey Addario. A great gift for those who love to hear more about the lives of photographers. This was an intense, well-written book that was both eye-opening and inspiring.
Check Prices on Amazon
Brandon Stanton Humans of New York Stories
One of the biggest photography stars of today, Brandon Stanton took a simple idea and made a world-wide phenomenon. His latest book includes the stories that make his portraits so powerful. It’s one we couldn’t put down.
Check Prices on Amazon
CUSTOM GIFTS
The best reason to be a photographer is so that you can create amazing, thoughtful, custom presents at a moment’s notice. Well, maybe there are other reasons to be a photographer too, but I’ve given many a custom photo gift in my day, and it’s always a winner. Go photography!
Custom Album
Put in the effort this year to make one of the most valuable gifts – a custom photo album. Whether you go old school, with a slip in album, or class it up with a custom printed as shown above, this is a gift sure to be treasured.
Framed Print
Keep it simple and print out one of your favorite photos for someone you love. Or gift a photographer with a print from one of their favorite artists. Either way this is classy as all get out, and shows that you know what they love.
Get frames from IKEA
Prints With Stand
A creative way to display prints – put them in a stand! Artifact Uprising has beautiful options, like a wood block, or the cork and brass model above. Or do it yourself with a small easel from an art store. Just get those prints displayed!
Get it from Artifact Uprising
Custom Photo Mug
Drinking coffee out of your favorite photos? Yep, that’s the dream. Make it a reality by whipping up a custom photo mug and get ready to bask in the glory of a gift well given. You can make these from so many stores, and often with super fast turnaround times, so they’re great for last minute shoppers like us.
Get it on Zazzle
Happy photographing!
& The Photography Concentrate Team
