| Here are a thirty gift ideas for photographers. The | | | | 15. Gift card to major photo store. Whether it's your |
| suggested price range is also listed. Happy shopping! | | | | local store or one of the large ones like Adorama or |
| 1. Portable Reflectors. A photographer can't have too | | | | Beach Camera, your photographer will find some great |
| many light modifiers. Reflectors come in so many sizes | | | | stuff to buy. ($50-$500) |
| and configurations. Snoop around to see what they | | | | 16. Gaffer's Tape. Black tape that won't leave a |
| have and choose a model they don't have. Many of | | | | residue like duct tape. It's pricey but it's great stuff. ($35 |
| these fold up into tiny cases. Or think of buying a | | | | roll) |
| reflector holder for one they already own. ($30-$150) | | | | 17. Camera case or backpack. As they get more stuff, |
| 2. Chips and more chips. Not the potato kind - the | | | | they will need more or larger camera bags. Or roller |
| memory card kind. Find out what format their cameras | | | | cases or bags for lights and other stuff. ($30-100) |
| take - Compact Flash, Smart Media, whatever, and | | | | 18. Flash bracket for camera. These are also a bit |
| buy a couple more. They are very inexpensive to buy | | | | personal to fit their needs, but if they shoot with |
| in large capacities. Pop out one from their camera or | | | | external flash, a bracket may be great for their needs. |
| chip carrier and note the maker and model, and try to | | | | If they don't have an external flash, that may also be a |
| buy the same or larger memory capacity. ($20-$100) | | | | good idea. Make sure you get their camera specifics |
| 3. Portable Hard Drive / Image Tank. These | | | | for the flash and bracket. (Bracket: $100-300; Flash: |
| battery-operated devices are pocket-sized and will | | | | $200-$400) |
| copy the pictures from a camera chip and save a | | | | 19. High-end printer. There are some truly amazing |
| duplicate on the hard drive. Some of them also have a | | | | printers for amateurs and professionals. Some will print |
| nice preview screen and TV output so you can enjoy | | | | on large size paper and create output rivaling the large |
| the photos as a slide show. They act as a hard drive | | | | labs. Variations on this theme are paper samplers, note |
| when plugged into a laptop. They are perfect for | | | | card stock, and combination printer-scanners. (Printer: |
| on-location shots or long vacations where you don't | | | | $300-$2000) |
| have your computer with you. ($100-$300) | | | | 20. Slide Show software. Who doesn't want to watch |
| 4. Another Lens! If your photographer has a Single | | | | slick slide presentations with music? Does your |
| Lens Reflex (SLR) camera, then pick their brain about | | | | photographer make or sell slide shows yet? ProShow |
| lenses they have and want. This is one area where | | | | Gold is a great start, and Proshow Producer is even |
| photographers are very picky, so may want to go as | | | | better. ($50-$300) |
| far as having them describe the specific make and | | | | 21. Color Calibration. Every monitor is different. It is |
| model. If you want to go "all out", get them to tell you | | | | essential to be able to see true colors on your |
| about their dream lens - it's the one that they really | | | | monitors. These devices will calibrate screens and |
| want, (but probably don't need), and won't buy for | | | | sometimes even printers and other devices to known |
| themselves. ($100-$5000) | | | | settings so the color seen on the screen is accurate. |
| 5. Filters for lenses. There are a variety of filters or | | | | ($150-$500) |
| modifiers that can be put on lenses. You'll want to | | | | 22. Photographer's Vest. Yes, very nerdy, but also |
| know what size lens (measured in millimeters), and | | | | very functional. ($50-$150) |
| what they have or want. A couple ideas are: a circular | | | | 23. Camera clothing. Weather protective covers for |
| polarizer (which reduces glare and deepens sky | | | | cameras will help in a drizzle or other inclement |
| colors), close-up lenses (to magnify and get close to | | | | weather. Waterproof housings allow the camera to be |
| small stuff), and neutral-density filters (which reduce | | | | used underwater. Blimps will reduce the shutter sound |
| light in some or all of the image). ($30-$150) | | | | to allow use in very quiet situations. These are custom |
| 6. Monopod and swivel. A monopod is like a walking | | | | fit to camera and sometimes lenses so be careful to |
| stick with a thread on the top. It's a great stand-in for a | | | | choose the right products. ($50-$200) |
| tripod when you can't use it. Better even, get a swivel | | | | 24. Find them a gig. Use your network and influence to |
| head for the top of the monopod and your | | | | get them a photographic opportunity that they would |
| photographer can rotate the camera from horizontal | | | | love to do. This is better for starter photographers - |
| to vertical and still get the benefits of the stability of a | | | | professionals may have different ideas. For more |
| monopod. (Monopod: $30-$100; Swivel: $30-$100) | | | | ideas, check out my article on 10 Great Ways to |
| 7. Inexpensive waterproof point and shoot digital | | | | Grow as a Professional Photographer. |
| camera. Regardless of their main brand, having a small | | | | 25. A New Body. Camera body that is. If they have an |
| pocket-sized waterproof digital camera is great for | | | | SLR, consider buying a duplicate body or one model |
| everyday use, scouting locations, and the spontaneous | | | | up, if they take the same lenses. Having the flexibility of |
| shoot opportunities. These cameras have great | | | | a backup camera or two lenses available immediately |
| resolution and make nice images; some even shoot | | | | will make your photographer smile. ($1000-$8000). |
| video. Waterproof means you can swim with it, shoot | | | | 26. Photography Books. There are great "how-to" |
| in the rain, and leave it in your sweaty pants pocket all | | | | books about every type of photography. Or consider |
| day. ($200-$400) | | | | getting them books on business or technology such as |
| 8. Subscription to online photography forum or training. | | | | Photoshop or web design. Or pick up some |
| There are some great pay sites on the net. DIgital | | | | coffee-table books with great photography that they |
| Wedding Forum is tailored to new professionals as | | | | can use for inspiration. ($10-$50) |
| well as seasoned wedding and portrait photographers. | | | | 27. Blank DVDs. Many photographers back up work |
| Web Photo School is great for learning the | | | | on DVDs, and use them for slide shows. They'll |
| fundamentals of photography and editing. Find one that | | | | appreciate having extras. Don't forget jewel cases if |
| matches their interests and they will have hours of | | | | they use them. ($20-$50) |
| online learning and enjoyment. ($100-$200/yr) | | | | 28. DVD/CD label printer. These are pretty specialized |
| 9. Subscription to photography magazine. There are | | | | devices. They will allow the user to print any image on |
| many good magazines out there. You may want to | | | | a special DVD or CD. If they present DVDs to anyone, |
| consider going to a good book store and picking up | | | | this may be a great item for them. Note that some |
| one copy of several different magazines with a note | | | | newer printers will also print directly on these same |
| attached that you'll buy a subscription to their favorite | | | | DVD or CDs. ($150-$300). |
| one. That way they get to check out many | | | | 29. Proof Books or albums. If they print lots of proofs, |
| publications and you'll be sure that they will really enjoy | | | | don't hide them away in a box. Get them several |
| the subscription. ($30-$80) | | | | albums so they can display them and use them to |
| 10. Destination Vacation. OK, this one may cost you | | | | show others. There are some neat "self-stick" albums |
| some time and money, but as long as you're patient | | | | that let you press the print on an adhesive background |
| and let your photographer stop and shoot the flowers, | | | | and create a very professional album. ($10-$200) |
| you'll both have a great time and they will really | | | | 30. More Power! This can be lithium AA batteries for |
| appreciate the opportunity to travel and shoot. | | | | those flashes and point and shoots, extra batteries for |
| ($cheap-$not cheap) | | | | their camera model, portable batteries to run their |
| 11. Photo Sharing Gift Certificate. If they already use a | | | | lighting, and extension cords and power strips for all of |
| favorite online site or local lab, get them a gift card or | | | | their electronic toys. You can never have too many |
| certificate. Otherwise, check out the best stores and | | | | cords! ($10-$100) |
| sites and choose one to load up a starter account or | | | | How do you pick the right gift? You can print this and |
| gift card. ($you pick) | | | | leave it out where your photographer will see it and |
| 12. Make a product from their work. My wife once | | | | get the hint and maybe circle a few things. You can |
| made me a calendar from some of my images and I | | | | ask them to build a "wish list" on one of the popular |
| loved it. Think about how you could highlight their work. | | | | online merchants such as Amazon. Or, you can have |
| Check out some of my other articles on creative | | | | one of their associates pick their brain on your behalf |
| ways to display or use photographs. ($10-$100) | | | | and report back. |
| 13. Hook them up with a mentor. Find out who they | | | | To save some money, check out sites like eBay, |
| admire in the photographic world, and arrange for them | | | | Craigslist and other areas where people may be selling |
| to meet them. Or, try to get a book or video of theirs | | | | items. Also check out local camera stores for |
| signed or personalized. Best case, see of their mentor | | | | consigned or used equipment. |
| would bring them in for training or some coaching | | | | In any case, enjoy choosing and presenting one of |
| session. ($large range) | | | | these gifts to your photographer. They will appreciate |
| 14. Gift certificate to a framing shop. You can never | | | | the time and effort you spent! |
| have too many framed prints. ($50-$500) | | | | |