What To Buy A Photographer For Christmas 2018 // Holiday Gift Guide
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I can’t quite believe I’m typing this, because it feels like just yesterday I was typing out my Christmas 2017 posts… time flies when you’re having fun!
But let me not get bogged down in chat about that, let’s get straight to the point… Christmas is nearly here. If you’re reading this, somebody you love and care about is a photographer… and you have no idea what to get them! Or, you’re a photographer yourself, and you’re looking for a blog post that you can send to your loved ones… Hint hint, get me something from this list! Well I’m hoping that this will point you in the first direction, because as a photographer myself, I can say that I’d be thrilled to receive absolutely any of the things on this list.
So let’s jump right in.
Small Gifts:
For the little gifts. Perfect for stockings!
35mm film*: Take it from me, if someone is a photographer, they’ll own some form of film camera. Film just can’t be beaten, and my all time favourite is always Kodak Portra 400. Fuji 400H is also a go to for many photographers.
Parabo Press*: Parabo Press design and make beautiful prints, which I think make for a super luxurious and special gift! Download a few of your loved one's photos and get them printed; I promise they'll be thrilled. ** Get a FREE 5x5 Softcover photo book via this link!**
Fuji Film Instax Film*: Do you know if your photographer friend owns an Instax Camera (ie. the modern version of a Polaroid). If so, Instax film is always great to give… because it gets used up! Find out which version of the camera they have (there are a few different sizes) and get the film to match it.
Camera Strap: A personalised leather camera strap is a beautiful gift, and will look far more stylish than the “own brand” strap that comes on all cameras these days. I’ve found a few nice ones on Etsy!
SD Cards: Honestly, we need these SO MUCH. The more SD cards a photographer has, the better. I do recommend investing in the “San Disk Extreme Pro” cards, as these are the most reliable, and fastest. Don’t accidentally get “Micro SD cards” as these wont work in DSLR cameras.
Mobile Phone Lenses: These are great little things which attach to the camera on an iPhone, and genuinely take great photos! A lovely, cheap, fun gift that your photographer friend/loved one will really love.
“How To Take Beautiful Instagram Photos” Ebook: A bit of a shameless plug, but if you know somoene who wants to improve their Instagram Photography skills, why not get them this ebook written by yours truly for just £6.99. You could upload it to a cute USB stick (like this one*) and wrap it up for them!
MediuM Gifts
For the slightly bigger than small, but not as big as big gifts.
Tog LDN Camera Backpack:Everyone wants to look good whilst out and about with their kit. I recently discovered TOG LDN, designed by a fellow photographer Alisha Love, and I fell in love! The designs are gorgeous, and they’re great quality (I’ve seen them first hand). There are lots of options on price, size and colour, and I think this would make a fab gift.
Tog LDN Purse: I mean, this is my kind of wallet. Space for SD cards, cash, and credit cards all in one!
Tog LDN Belt Bag: This is cute, and super handy. Photographers need to be able to hands free, but often we also need to have extra bits and pieces on us. This belt bag is adorable and would be super useful too.
Photo Books*: This is a bit self explanatory, but photographers are visual people, so they’ll love nothing more than to be given gorgeous books. Some of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen on the market include these:
Tickets to Exhibitions: Photographers are always looking to stay inspired, and one of the best ways to do that is to attend exhibitions. There are amazing exhibitions all over the world, but to help you out, I’ve found a few that I think sound particularly incredible.
Fashioned From Nature at the V&A London On until 27th Jan 2019
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the V&A London on until 2nd Feb 2019
Dreams of the Orient by Yves Saint Laurent in Paris on until 27th Jan 2019
Through A Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs in New York on until 6th Jan 2019
Small Wacom Tablet*: If you have no idea what a Wacom tablet is, it’s essentially a trackpad with a pen, which photographers use to retouch their images. It means that we can pretty much draw on photos, without having to use a big, fat, clumsy mouse! Every photographer needs one. The small ones are quite affordable, and do a great job.
Tripod*: This probably goes without saying, but every photographer needs a tripod. In fact, my tripod was the first piece of gear that I was ever given at the very start of my photography career. 11 years later, and I’m still using the exact same one my dad bought me.
Big Gifts
If you’re going all out this Christmas, this is where you’ll find some inspiration.
Instax SQ6 Instant Camera*: FujiFilm came out with a square version of their instant camera a couple of months ago, and it’s REALLY cool. This would make any photographer really happy, guaranteed.
85mm Lens*: Pretty much every photographer I meet says that an 85mm lens is THE lens that they have on their wish list (mine included). Find out which camera brand they shoot with (camera lenses are not interchangeable between brands) and get them one of these. I promise they’ll love you forever, and probably take beautiful photos of you as a thank you.
Online Courses: As photographers, there is always so much more to learn. Online courses are a great way to do that, however they can often be really expensive. Here are a couple of online courses that I think a photographer would love to receive:
Lara Jade’s “Fashion Series” << Perfect for any fashion photographer, from someone just starting out, to someone well established. I’ve taken this course, and learnt a lot from it.
Portrait Photography Bundle via Creative Live*: four classes in one!
Profoto On Camera Flash:* These flash guns are supposed to be incredible! If you know that your photographer doesn’t own a flash gun, and you’ve got some money to spend, then consider getting them these. I think they’d love you forever!
So there you go. Personally, if I was given anything on this list, I’d be a happy girl. If you want to give something amazing to a photographer this holiday season, choosing something from this list will certainly make Christmas 2018 one to remember!
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