The Best Gifts for Photographers
'California' by John Chiara
California native John Chiara's first photography book is a beautiful exploration of the Golden State's landscapes and architecture. His work is made using DIY cameras and alternative chemical processes, turning his landscapes into a surreal, dreamy world.
To buy: amazon.com $42
'The Martin Parr Coloring Book!'
Martin Parr is an English photographer best known for capturing brilliant hues back in the earliest days of color film, so it’s only proper to celebrate the iconic images with a coloring book. BONUS: It comes with stickers!
To buy: amazon.com, $16
Subscription to Aperture Magazine
Aperture Magazine is an international quarterly on photography.The themed issues are printed with utmost care and quality and will instantly become a serious photographer’s favorite collectible.
To buy: ezsubscription.com, from $60/year
Artifact Uprising Volumes
Artifact Uprising’s newest product allows you to create high-quality hardback or paperback books in volumes of 50 images. Making collections from vacation memories is easy — it’s all done through the AU app on your phone.
To buy: artifactuprising.com, from $24
VINTA VINTA S-Series Travel & Camera Bag/Backpack
The Vinta S-Series backpack is very modern in design and extremely versatile in function. Removable dividers help customize the bag to fit the gear for a whole trip, and a removable field bag is ideal for lighter shoot days. Overall, it's the efficient choice for any traveling photographer.
To buy: amazon.com, $250
MeFOTO Classic Aluminum Roadtrip Travel Tripod
This little tripod weighs almost nothing and fits in a carry-on, yet it has the potential to extend up to five feet and support your heaviest DSLR setup.
To buy: amazon.com, $200
XSKN Adobe Lightroom Shortcuts Keyboard Skin
Taking photos is a very enjoyable activity, but editing and organizing? Not so much. This silicone keyboard cover minimizes the hassle with easy hotkey shortcuts for Adobe’s Lightroom software.
To buy: amazon.com, $16
Frambridge Instagram Framing
Framebridge makes it simple to upload a favorite photo from Instagram to print in a quality frame, and you can choose out of four finishes, turning a digital favorite into an analog favorite.
To buy: framebridge.com, $109
Camera Cookie Cutters
The number one rule about being enthusiastic about photography is that camera-shaped items are the best. These cute cookie cutters are fun for any age.
To buy: amazon.com, $18
Black and White Engineer Prints
These 3-foot by 4-foot prints allow you to see photographs in a bigger way, and the halftone printing on an industrial printer gives them an otherworldly quality.
To buy: parabo.com, $20
LuMee Duo iPhone Case
Though it's famously known as one of the best ways to light a selfie, this lighting can be used for other photographic purposes like shooting food and still lifes.
To buy: amazon.com, $52
AU Brass Easel + Prints
Looking for a way to gift a set of photographs? This best-selling brass easel from Artifact Uprising is a beautiful desk accessory that allows the recipient to admire a set of 12 photographs.
To buy: artifactuprising.com, $55
Lo & Sons The Claremont Leather Camera Bag
This stylish and sensible camera bag fits a DSLR and an extra lens. The black and gold is chic and won’t scream, “Hey, there’s a camera in here!” The best part is that there are two tiny holders for extra memory cards.
To buy: loandsons.com, $240
Camera Lens Strap Holder
A lens cap is important to protect the glass of the lens while it's not in use, and this handy little clip will prevent any cap from getting lost in pockets, on the ground, or at the bottom of a camera bag.
To buy: amazon.com, $9
DJI Mavic Pro Drone
A favorite drone of photographers, this tiny foldable is quite powerful. Flying higher, longer, and capturing 4-K video, your aerial moments will be next level.
To buy: amazon.com, $925
Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Fujifilm X-T2 is a top of the line, high-powered unit for the pros. There are a total of 325 auto focus points. The shutter is incredibly quick, shooting 14 frames per second, and it delivers low-noise shots even with the ISO cranked up to 51,200. It also has two SD card slots to enable the longer shooting sessions required for timelapses and video.
To buy: amazon.com, $1,800
Flora Print
Flora’s an online store based in Barcelona delivering fresh plants. The plants are photographed as still lifes on brightly colored backgrounds and nicely framed for display, making any room feel more alive, no watering required.
To buy: floraindoor.com, from $30
The Photographer’s Playbook
The Photographer’s Playbook is the ultimate go-to for any level of photographer who needs a little inspiration for projects or simply wants to try fun exercises with their camera. The possibilities are endless.
To buy: amazon.com, $20
Polaroid Photo Album
Take it back to the old school with this modern take on a photo album. Holding 33 square instant photos, it is truly a keepsake.
To buy: urbanoutfitters.com, $12
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera
A definite crowd pleaser, this camera takes professional-grade instant photos. It's a step up from the popular Instax Mini 9, with adjustable shooting modes and a high-powered flash that determines brightness based on distance from the subject.
To buy: amazon.com, $120
A Travel+Leisure Print - Formentera, by Ambroise Tézenas, 2015
Own a fine art print from the Time Shop’s Travel + Leisure landscape collection. Framed or unframed, the 11"x14" print is a wonderful gift for any collector.
To buy: time.com, from $75
Rockland Colloid Tintype Parlor Kit
Recreate an old process of photography from the 1800s with this safe and easy to use tintype kit. Tintypes were one of the first kinds of photographic processes accessible to the masses (the old version of “instant”). The kit includes tin, coating emulsion, and developer.
To buy: freestylephoto.biz, $37
Rylo 360 Video Camera
The latest in 360-degree cameras, Rylo's camera and software creates breathtaking video with incredible cinematic quality. The shots easily load from camera to phone, and the software makes it easy to edit and share.
To Buy: amazon.com, $499
These days, we are all equipped with a camera of some kind; most of us have one on us at all times whether we realize it or not. The accessibility to cameras via smartphones has made everyone image obsessed, and the internet has created more room for us to all be photographers, whether we're hobbyists, amateurs, or accomplished professionals.
Related: How to Choose the Best Compact Digital Camera for Your Travels
As an adult, most gifts err on the side of necessary (read: boring), but there is nothing like the excitement of receiving a new gadget or something that's pleasing to look at, making buying for the photo enthusiast on your list downright fun.
Related: How the Rise of 360-degree Photography Is Changing the Future of Travel
We have compiled an assorted list of gift ideas to match every level of photography interest, from a book of photographs to a 360-degree camera.