We are writing 2020 and there’s never been so many cool photography gadgets and gift ideas as of now. I’m used to getting weird photo-related presents for my birthdays, from people who have great intentions but don’t know much about photography.
If you are buying a birthday present or Christmas gift for a photography enthusiast or a professional photographer, let me help you with some ideas on what to give.
A beautiful polaroid camera
Photographers are always thirsty for new gear and a great polaroid camera isn’t going to take better pictures than a high-end mirrorless camera, but it’s fun to play with, and that’s why this would make for a perfect gift.
Get the FujiFilm Polaroid Camera on Amazon.
The brand new Switch Pod
The Switch Pod is a new tripod – but different. After it’s successful Kickstarter campaign, this tripod is now available on Amazon. This tripod has quickly taken over as Youtube photographer’s favorite tripod.
The photography bag by Peak Design
It’s designed beautifully and can fit hold: A camera, a laptop, 4 lenses + accessories.
The award-winning Peak Design photography bag is a no-brainer and loved by photographers all over the world. This bag comes in different colors.
Get the Peak Design bag on Amazon
The Bible of Photography Books
Don’t get fooled by the cover of this photo book. It’s the bible of photography books and every photographer knows it, yet a lot of people don’t own it.
I’ve made a complete list of my favorite photography books, but if I had to recommend one photography book as a gift, it would be The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier Bresson. Every photographer would love to receive this birthday present, trust me.
Buy Henri Cartier Bresson’s photography book on Amazon.
While you’re at it, also make sure to check out the famous book called 100 Photographs That Changed the World.
A small pocket light
This small light is made to light up a scene in the night or in low-light situations. It can fit in a photographer’s pocket or bag and it’s made by a company called Aputure who makes high quality lighting for photographers and videographers.
This is honestly one of the coolest gifts you can give a photographer. I own this myself and I love it. Giving a present like this will surprise every photographer, in the best way possible.
This light is the perfect gift for any photography enthusiast and professional.
Get the small pocket light on Amazon – you’re photography friend will thank you for giving him the best gift he could imagine.
Never run out of battery
The greatest birthday gifts are the things we know we need, but we just haven’t bought or don’t feel like spending our money on it. In the photography world, that would be something like this:
An awesome power bank that will prevent the photographer from running low on battery, in any situation.
It’s one of the best power banks on the market and it can fit in a photographer’s pocket. It can charge a camera, lights or a phone.
A drone
But not just any drone. This is the DJI Mavic Mini drone, made by the good people at Mavic. They are the industry leader when it comes to drones and for good reasons.
Again, no photographer will ever complain being gifted new gear and a drone like this especially fits the bill.
Get the Mavic Drone on Amazon.
GoPro Hero8
Another option would be a GoPro camera and this is the new one: The GoPro Hero8.
I own it myself and I attach it to my camera to show my point of view of doing street photography.
A place to keep and edit photos
Every photographer needs a fast and mobile hard disk.
My recommendation, and what I use myself, for when I edit my photos and also when I do video editing, is to use this external harddisk from Lacie. It’s fast, it’s reliable and it’s rugged.
Never has this hard disk failed me and thousands of photographers would use and would love to get this gifted to them.
Buy the Lacie harddisk on Amazon.
Give an Amazon Giftcard
The gift ideas I’ve listed above will fit most photographers, but there are things that are very individual to each photographer, so another thing you could do, is to give an Amazon gift card and make your photography friend pick his own photo gear.
Whichever photography accessory you buy, that I’ve listed above, I promise you, it’ll be a good gift and worthwhile.
I’m so sure of it, that if your photography friend isn’t happy with it, you should DM on Instagram and tell me! Seriously.
Also DM med on Instagram if some of my gift ideas made your friend happy!
Good luck with it!
If you still haven’t found a present that you think your photography friend would appreciate, then go pick 2-3 of these photography books I’ve listed here.