The Best Gifts For Photographers For 2023 (Cheap Through To Expensive)

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Buying gifts for photographers can be tough and sometimes expensive, but it doesn't need to be, and if you're unsure of what to buy, then our list of gift lists will make your life a lot easier. Maybe you didn't realize this – but if there is a photographer on your shopping list – you have no shortage of gift options! This list of photography-themed presents contains something that every photographer friend will love and can be great gifts for many events, for example, birthday gifts, gifts for the holiday season, etc.

Overall Winners

Under $250

Selphy Printer

Canon Selphy CP1300 Wireless Compact Photo Printer with AirPrint and Mopria Device Printing

Under $600

Flashpoint

Flashpoint XPLOR 600 R2 Battery Powered Photo Studio Strobe Portable Monolight, Bowens Mount

Under $2000

DJI AIR 2S

DJI Air 2S, Drone Quadcopter UAV with 3-Axis Gimbal Camera, 5.4K Video

We have approached our best gift-giving guide by breaking it down into four categories:

  • Cheap gifts for photographers – less than $150 (and many less than $20)
  • Mid-range photo gift excitement – $150 to $600
  • Photographer hugs that might break your spine – $600 to $2000
  • For the photographer who has just about everything – Over $2000

We also tried to make our selections in photography equipment in keeping with these general principles:

  1. We wanted to select extremely useful items but not the obvious. For that reason, we've left off camera bags and tripods.
  2. Photographers are a curious lot. They love experimenting and tend to be gadget hounds, so we ran each gift through the “how cool would it be to get this” filter.

Also, we wanted to keep these gift ideas for photographers simple.

We wanted everyone to be able to find the products listed. So, all our product suggestions came right from Amazon – including the pricing. Click the link, and you're there.

Note: Secondly, we tried to find those special items (that everyone under the Sun isn't already talking about and everyone already doesn't own).

Best Cheap Gifts For Photographers – Less Than $150 USD (And Many Less Than $20)

Light Stalking Blueprints Starter Pack

Terrified of shooting a new genre? Don't be! Get the exact settings and setup with our blueprints!

lightstalking blueprints

Why not buy, download, and email some of our own Light Stalking Blueprints to your photographer friend, especially if they are starting out on photography? These blueprints are much easier to follow, will help them get out and start shooting straight away, getting shots that will be respected.

The blueprints contain the essential information you need for specific genres so that they can get started quickly. This can be a perfect last-minute gift for photographers as you can just send them the files (they are an electronic download, so you can even email them if you like!).

Under $20


Wristband

Let everyone around you know that you are a photography enthusiast!

photography wristband digital cameras
Image via Amazon

Photography is an expression of one's self. Most photographers love to tell the world that this is their art. But maybe your chosen one doesn't have a car for a bumper sticker? Or they're more into fashion statements?

How about a camera lens wristband at a very affordable price? These little honeys come in black or white (Did you catch the pun there?) and present the lens barrel markings of several popular lenses. This particular gift option would really hit it off with the younger crowd as the band looks like the rings on a lens.

5.0 out of 5 stars More than I thought Nine come in the package. I love them and was thoroughly surprised when I opened the package. I love how my favorite lenses are represented on these bracelets and where them everyday.

White Balance Card

This White Balance Filter can be used to set white balance in-camera or when you are adjusting color in post-production.

white balance card professional photographer
Image via Amazon

A white balance card is a great gadget for the discerning photographer. It's lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use and one that every photographer needs. You simply hold it before your camera lens for a custom light balance reading. No more photographs with a green, blue, or red tint! It's large enough that it will cover any lens and doesn't require attachment which makes it quick to use.

If your photographer friend is technically oriented, they will love this gift!

Spirit Level

3-axis spirit bubble level – ideal for landscapes and architectural photography

spirit level professional photographer
Image via Amazon

Not a great big builders spirit level but a small one that sits on the hot shoe of your camera. Whilst most cameras now have a horizon indicator, a good photographer’s spirit level will allow you to check your levels in three planes. Perfect if you are shooting panoramic photos, architecture, or even video. This cheap piece of kit is a great value for its price.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful item Simple item that helps a lot with the photo shoot!

Extendable (Selfie) Stick

2-in-1 selfie stick tripod with detachable wireless remote

selfie stick photography gifts
Image via Amazon

The ‘Selfie has become an art all of its own. Photographers everywhere are clicking selfies in locations from birthday parties to the top of Mount Everest. The Extendable Stick can help your photographer take their Selfie images to a new level. The Selfie Stick comes with a tripod stand and a wireless remote. It works with virtually every smartphone, although Android users must download an App.

This gadget is fun on the pocketbook, too!

The Lens Mug

Camera Lens Coffee Mugs are made of food grade ABS plastic materials and premium-quality stainless steel inside.

coffee mug lens photography gifts
Image via Amazon

This gift idea has absolutely nothing to do with taking photographs. It's simply a statement about looking cool and letting the world know who we are. What photographer wouldn't want to walk into his/her office or studio, gripping one of these awesome-looking cups? The lens cups can hold hot or cold liquids. They have models that look like Canon or Nikon lenses.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very cute and cool! Nice design and good details. Got this as a gift for a camera geek. 

Wireless Shutter Release

Eliminates vibrations caused by physically pressing the shutter release

wireless shutter release
Image via Amazon

Experienced photographers will already know the value of having an electronic wireless camera release. But, if you have a budding photographer on your gift list, this is an inexpensive (and valuable) gadget to add to their camera bag. This device lets you fire your camera remotely. It comes in handy for low-light situations so that you don't jiggle the camera. It's also quite effective for child portraiture and animal photography, allowing photographers to remove themselves from behind the camera. You'll want to ensure you get the right model for your photographer's camera, as they have different configurations.

We've highlighted an inexpensive beginner's model. There are many brands of camera bags on the market that do a variety of functions, so you may want to do a little research before you buy.

The LensPen

New and improved patented carbon cleaning compound, more cleaning, no fluids required

lens pen digital picture frame
Image via Amazon

Keeping a lens clean is always a priority. However, sometimes it's inconvenient to pull out lens tissue and a liquid cleaner. Come on, admit it, who among us hasn't hesitantly cleaned our lens with our shirt?

The Lenspen is a fantastic tool. It's small and compact; it takes up no room in the camera bag. On one end of it, there is a retractable brush to remove the big chunks on the lens or dust the crevices of your camera body. The other end is a microfiber carbon tip. It cleans the lens similarly to a lens tissue: in a circular motion. But it requires no moisture to remove greasy fingerprints or nose smudges.

Having used this product for several years, we are amazed at how well it cleans and protects our valuable glass!

5.0 out of 5 stars LensPen NLP-1: Evolution improves the product Like many others, I've been using LensPen products and their variants for a number of years. They've always proven to be reliable, easy ways to perform lens and filter maintenance while in the field. And sometimes when we see a product that claims to be better than previous versions, it's been a hollow promise.

Camera Straps

This vintage and classic camera strap is made of high-quality and durable cotton yarn and PU leather.

camera strap camera bag
Image via Amazon

Until you try something different, you will not know how hard and unforgiving your default camera strap is. Several companies out there do know this and have spent time designing comfortable camera straps to distribute the weight evenly and even look good. Once you have used a comfortable third-party camera strap, you will never go back. For those that need a little inspiration to carry a tripod, there are also very good straps for carrying your three-legged friend too.

Hand Warmers

Single use air-activated heat packs that provide everyday warmth and are ideal for keeping your body warm when the temperature gets cold.

hand warmers fun photo gifts
Image via Amazon

If you know someone who is interested in night photography or does photography outdoors in the cold, then these air-activated hand warmers will be a good gift for them. These provide heat for up to ten hours. These warmers can also be used to keep the lenses from fogging when using them outdoors on cold nights.

5.0 out of 5 stars They do the job I know these are supposed to be hand warmer, but camping in the winter or cold weather I put a couple in my sleeping bag. They get pretty warm so I have to put them in a sock before putting them in the bag. I know. i know, I should just get a better bag but….

Canon Selphy CP1300 Printer

Not only will your photos be instantly dry, but they will also look great for up to 100 years and are even water-resistant!

printer photography gear
Image via Amazon

This is a handy gift for photographers who love to instantly make small prints and share them with friends and family. The Canon Selphy CP1300 printer is a portable photo printer and can be connected to your smartphones or tablets easily, so you can print and share your memories wherever you are.

This printer comes with a tilting 3.2 inches LCD screen, an output tray capacity of 18 sheets with postcard size paper cassette, and produces very high-quality prints that can last a lifetime.

If you're interested in other printers, don't forget to check out our article on the best ones.

Fast Memory Card

Designed for professionals and to withstand extreme environments

fast memory card digital photographers
Image via Amazon

This next photographer gift idea comes in a small package but delivers great satisfaction. Photographers hate missing a shot because they're waiting on their memory card to write the previous shots. Check out the speed on this latest option for memory. That's right! It says 300 mb/sec and a 260 mb/sec write speed for this SD card. Only a few years ago, you would have paid double the cost of this for memory cards for less than a quarter of the speed.

This Sandisk memory card can be a great gift for the photographer in your life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great card with no issues. Must buy! I use this SD card in my Sony A7iii and my Fujifilm XT3. Never any issues!

Camera Harness

Carrying your camera with heavy lenses can be tough, which is why photographers love our Slingbelt! 

camera harness gift recipient
Image via Amazon

We were truly impressed with this product after watching a nationally renowned wedding photographer work an entire wedding with this rig hanging from his hips. You can purchase this one or two camera options.

The cameras hang from your hips, and what we really liked about this product is that it removes the weight and entanglement from your upper body: no straps slipping your shoulder and no harnesses that look like you're wearing a parachute. It's easy on the back and the neck because your largest muscle group carries that weight.

Additional tip: Photography magazines and books are also great ideas for gifts to photographers. You could get them an annual subscription.

Mid-Range Photo Gift Excitement – $150 To $600


Fujifilm Instax Mini 90

Automatically detects the brightness of the surrounding and adjusts the amount of flash.

fujifilm instax mini
Image via Amazon

Instax cameras by Fujifilm are one of the most popular instant film cameras for photographers who want to capture images and instantly share with someone during their travels, or to save and display them back home. They come in a variety of specifications, with each one having a particular type and size for instant film. The Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic camera comes in three colors (black, brown, and red) and has features one would be happy with when traveling.

The minimum and maximum shutter speeds are 1.8 seconds and 1/400 seconds and it also comes with a bulb mode of 10 seconds maximum. There are also various modes, including the macro mode, and there is a mirror next to the lens that is perfect for self-portraits. With Instax cameras, you get the prints in hand instantly, with them fully developed in a few minutes unlike a film camera which can also be a fantastic gift for someone who wants to shoot film.

SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD


Powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.

portable ssd
Image via Amazon

The file sizes for digital photography just keep growing. Photographers need a reliable place to store all those images. The Sandisk 2 terabyte solid-state drive provides plenty of storage- along with the reliability of the Sandisk reputation. This external hard drive reads and writes at a lightning-fast 2000 MB/s. It's ultralight, compact, and yet extremely durable. Any photographer would love to have this as a gift!

5.0 out of 5 stars So far it's working fine, no issues So was going through the install process on my PC, and not thrilled to see the notice on the SanDisk Firmware site that there have been failures with this drive lately. UGH! So I punched in my SSN# and luckily my device was not affected – I have the current Firmware.

Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS Battery-Powered Monolight

This Wireless Studio Flash offers 600Ws, 9 steps of power adjustment (1/1 to 1/256) for better light effects.

flashpoint monolight great gift ideas
Image via Amazon

This next gift idea will have the recipient ripping off the wrapping paper excitedly. The Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS strobe provides the power and versatility of units costing 2 or 3 times as much. It's a great addition to the tool kit of the photographer who has everything, AND it's the perfect starter strobe for that new photographer who wants to elevate to the next level. It comes with an 8700mAh lithium battery pack and a standard reflector.

Photographer Hugs That Might Break Your Spine – $600 To $2000


Fluid Head Tripod Combo

Continuous counterbalance from 0 to 14 kgs

fluid head tripod combo
Image via Amazon

With all the video features now being packed into DSLR and mirrorless cameras, many photographers are trying their hands at video production. But here's a tidbit of information that most people don't know. How you support your camera when producing a video can make or break your production. Nobody likes to watch a shaky movie with abrupt starts and stops.

This gift is the ultimate support package for a budding videographer. The Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Video Head will provide silky smooth pans and tilts. The carbon fiber legs are lightweight yet sturdy. The entire package comes with a nice carry case to make location changes easy peasy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy tripod. Does the job It's a nice tripod. Feels solid and holds my camera rig.

DJI Air 2S

DJI Air 2S features DJI's most advanced O3 (OcuSync 3.0) image transmission technology

dji air 2s drone
Image via Amazon

This suggestion sends shivers just talking about it. It's guaranteed to bring shrieks of excitement from any photographic techno-geek. This present provides photographic fun along with the ability to FLY! Who wouldn't want that? The DJI Air 2S fly more combo includes everything a photographer needs to shoot images and videos from the air.

Fujifilm X-T4

X-T4 features a newly developed mechanical shutter that is the fastest and most robust in the history of the X series.

fujifilm mirrorless
Image via Amazon

If you've been involved with the photography world (at all) in the last few years- you've undoubtedly heard the term mirrorless, mirrorless, mirrorless. Yes, that's right. Mirrorless cameras are taking the photography world by storm, and Fujifilm has been (and continues to be) at the forefront of that evolution. So, what's the big deal?

Mirrorless cameras offer the image quality and versatility of the big DSLR cameras- without the weight and bulk. There's no breaking your back hauling this camera around Europe. The X-T4 offers a superb 26.1-megapixel sensor and interchangeable lenses. It's weather-resistant and dust-resistant, and it can work consistently in temperatures as low as 14F / -10C. It also sports an eye-popping 3-inch LCD screen.

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best APS C Camera on the market My wife and I are long time Fujifilm camera users, having started with the X T1 and X100 (we now have the X100V). As each new model of the X Tx series as been released we have generally upgraded and the X T4 is the current best they have produced. My wife upgraded from the X T2 and I upgraded from the X T3 and we have a good range of lenses (from our 23mm prime to the 100 to 400mm Zoom). We mainly shoot still photographs, so the video features are not the main reason we use this camera but it is very competent.

The Best Gifts For Photographers Who Have Just About Everything – Over $2000


Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 Zoom Lens

Offers OS (optical stabilization), two FLD glass elements and fast focus

sigma zoom lens
Image via Amazon

Every photographer fantasizes about having that BIG glass hanging around their neck. Most of us, however, don't want to take out a second mortgage to acquire one, so we're SO EXCITED to tell you about the Sigma 120mm – 300mm f/2.8 zoom lens.

That's right- a long telephoto zoom lens with a FIXED maximum aperture of f/2.8. PLUS, it prices out at almost half of what an OEM 300mm f/2.8 lens would cost. This camera lens offers superb image definition, along with the convenience of a fast zoom lens. What else could you ask for?

Leica M10-R

New 40mp full frame color sensor for unprecedented image quality with M-Lenses

leica m10
Image via Amazon

We've saved this beauty for our finale! Not everyone will have the pocketbook to make this investment. But nothing says, “I love you,” like a Leica camera. Leica is the Rolls Royce of the photography world. Leica cameras are known for their superb optics and unparalleled construction.

This is a camera that your photographer friends will keep for the rest of their life. This model features a 40-megapixel full-frame sensor and a 3.0″ touchscreen LCD. It has a classic design, excellent dynamic range, and sensitivity and can shoot up to 4.5 frames per second for a maximum of 10 frames – so you won't miss the shot. It has interchangeable lenses and features a virtually indestructible magnesium alloy body, and features an extended shutter speed range for making long exposures up to 16 minutes long.

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely beautiful camera to hold and use The quality and build of the camera is superb!

We hope you found the best gifts for photographers you love in this great collection of camera gear useful!

Further Reading:

About Author

Kent is an occasional writer at our place, and also handles the weekly “Picture of the Week” contest. He has been involved with photography since 1974 and you can get to know him better here.

A great list with something for everyone here. For me is number 8, the Transcend 1 TB Solid State Drive, this really is the pinnacle of hard drive excitement at the moment, writing to a different portion of the disk each time to speed things up, no moving parts, a respectable size and a price not to offence. This is where I can store with confidence – all my publicity photography.

An awesome list. Really something for beginners or pros. I think a light meter is also a must for anyone learning to understand light and for anyone who knows what kind of light is needed for a great photograph. A light meter being anything from a used one for 50$ from ebay or a Lumu light meter for iPhone.

I bought this lens cup as a gift for a co-worker and i was pleasantly surprised by the quality. The size is perfect too. The only thing I will mention is if you are someone who prefers the lid to have an area to sip through, this one won’t be it. But if you don’t mind unscrewing the lid & just sipping from the cup, this is a great buy. Makes a great gift for photographers! 🙂

I bought that lens duo as a Christmas gift for a friend. High quality and he’s very happy with it. Look really like a camera lens.,

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