The Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals on Amazon for Photographers in 2024!

I wait alllll year for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and in case you didn’t know, Amazon’s Black Friday Week starts today, November 21! As a photographer, I’m constantly buying gear, accessories, batteries, memory cards, lenses, cameras, everything. It’s just part of the job. But I truly hate overpaying for basic things that I need to help run my business. Every year, I spend the weekend after Thanksgiving updating my gear, refilling my fridge with film, stocking my battery drawer, and occasionally, gifting myself with a camera or lens that I’ve been eyeing all year. :)

I wanted to share a few of the deals I’ve been keeping my eye on this year. These are all great gift ideas for photographers. Or if you’re a photographer yourself, it’s that time of year to buy yourself a little something for all of your hard work! There’s honestly no better investment in your business as a photographer than an incredible lens or camera. It will only help your business grow, prove your professionality, and encourage you to grow as an artist.

(By using the links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

  1. CANON 5D MARK IV

    If you’re looking for a workhorse of a camera to start your photography business with, the 5D Mark IV is on sale! This is my main digital camera. I use it to photograph weddings, events, musicians, portraits, food, landscapes, etc. It’s incredibly versatile, has dual card-reader slots, great battery life, and is a tried and true DSLR camera in the industry. I originally started my business with the 5D Mark II back in the day and eventually upgraded to the 5D Mark IV. You can read my full blog post about it here! It’s currently on sale for $2899 and comes with a 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM lens! And don’t forget to pick up a super fun vector star filter like this one if you want to get experimental! If you’d prefer a mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R5 and the Canon EOS R6 are also majorly discounted. I currently use the original Canon EOS R as my backup camera, but the R5 and R6 are the newer, updated versions and are equipped with even more settings and upgrades. The images I’ve taken with my EOS R are ridiculously sharp and it has amazing low-light capabilities. You can read more about it on my blog and see samples photos here! If you’re hoping to stay in the $500 range, the Canon EOS R100 Mirrorless Camera is on sale too! You honestly can’t go wrong with Canon. Just start where your budget allows and then upgrade over the years as you’re able!

2. GO PRO HERO 12 BLACK

I’ve been through about 5 Go Pros over the years because every time they come out with a new one I want to buy it! I love them so much because they are super tiny and inconspicuous, but are capable of capturing high quality video during my travels. I’ve used Go Pros for years to film parts of YouTube videos when I'm traveling, and for secondary angles when I’m filming videos at home. Plus, they are so fun to take underwater if you’re at the beach or somewhere tropical and want to spy on the fish creatures. They are pretty incredible little cameras. The Go Pro Hero 12 is $100 off at the moment! You can check out the deal here! And make sure to pick up a GorillaPod too, which is also on sale for Black Friday! The Go Pro Hero 11 is also on sale here if you’d prefer to save a little cash!

3. APPLE 2024 MACBOOK AIR 15-INCH LAPTOP WITH M3 CHIP

There is nothing better than a good laptop deal during Cyber Weekend. Every few years I’ll cave in and upgrade to a new one. This year, the 2024 Macbook Air 15-inch laptop with 512 GB SSD storage is running for only $1199, which is honestly incredible. Sadly, I’m not in need of a new laptop at the moment, but if I was, I would totally go for this one. You can find the deal here. Just don’t tell me that you got it because I’ll be majorly jealous. I currently have the M1 14-inch Macbook Pro and I’m obsessed. I even posted a YouTube video about it here! All of my Macbook computers have lasted forever. As in, they never actually stopped working, I just grew out of them and ended up selling them. I’ve never had one die on me. But I would also consider myself a responsible laptop owner and try not to drop it, bend it, or spill anything on it.

4. FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI 11 INSTANT CAMERA

This is one of those deals I actually might seriously take advantage of this year. I currently have the Instax Mini 8, which works just fine if you know what you’re doing, but the Instax Mini 11 is fully automatic and is super easy to use. The Instax Mini 11 would be great for a photographer at any level - beginner, amateur, professional… it doesn’t matter. They’re fun for anyone. Plus, they are tiny and cute and colorful. Everyone should have one if you ask me. :) Check out the current $59 deal here! Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a super cute carrying case that is also on sale here!

5. SANDISK 128GB EXTREME PRO SDXC UHS-I MEMORY CARD

Not the most exciting gift in the world, but I can tell you from experience that having a large memory card makes all the difference, especially if you’re shooting weddings. It’s important to replace your old memory cards every once in a while too, just so you don’t end up in a bad situation with a faulty card. The SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card is only $18.99 at the moment so make sure to snatch one up here! I’ll likely be grabbing one or two or three of these for myself too!

6. POLAROID NOW+ GENERATION 2 - CAMERA + FILM BUNDLE

I have enough Polaroid cameras to last a lifetime, but I always want more! They’re so cute and collectible. What I love about the Polaroid Now+ is that you can get super creative. It comes with lens filters, multiple exposure options and even has bluetooth connectivity. You don’t necessarily need to be a professional photographer to use one of these, though I would say you need a bit of patience to get used to the various settings. I’d just read through any paperwork it comes with first so you know how to get the best photo possible in different lighting scenarios. Amazon is currently offering a camera + film bundle so make sure to check it out here!

7. EMART BACKDROP STAND 10x7FT (WxH) PHOTO STUDIO

If you’re starting to build your photography studio, the EMART backdrop stand kit is only $37.99 at the moment. You can’t really get much better than that! Not to mention, everything folds up really small and fits into the carrying case. It’s the perfect addition to any home studio. There are different size options available too. I’m in the process of building a studio shed in my backyard so I’ll be picking up another one of these soon. I like to have 2-3 backdrop set-ups prepared for shoots, just so my clients have options. And I’d also recommend scooping up a Neewer ring light. They’re 30% off for Black Friday! I use mine for literally everything. Sometimes even as my only light for in-studio photo shoots!

8. BEATS STUDIO PRO - WIRELESS BLUETOOTH NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES

Creating this list is just making me want everything… I’ve been unhappy with my current headphones and have been on the lookout for noise cancelling headphones for a LOT of different reasons. My husband is a musician so he’s literally always making noise - whether he’s playing guitar, drums, piano, or just walking around the house singing, it never ends. I’m just over here trying to focus and get some work done! I like to watch relaxing tv shows or listen to music while I’m photo editing because it helps pass the time and makes the experience a little less daunting. I also travel a lot and airplanes are SO LOUD. I’m extremely sensitive to sound, especially when it’s a stressful sound (like terrifying random airplane creaks and groans) so I’ll definitely be considering upgrading to these Beats Studio Pro headphones…

9. SONY ALPHA 7R V CAMERA

If you’re more of a Sony camera person, or more of a videographer, then you might want to check out the Black Friday deal on the Sony Alpha 7R V Full-frame Mirrorless Camera. The Sony a7 III is also on sale WITH a 24-70mm lens for only $1498! If I wasn’t so obsessed with multiple exposures, I’d switch to Sony. Their cameras are insanely sharp, fast, and compact. I seriously considered switching to Sony before I bought my Canon 5D Mark IV, but it just didn’t make sense for me personally. If you’re wanting to focus more on video but still want to be able to take incredible photos, Sony is perfect for that. I’m just more of a photographer first, videographer second. You can find out more about the current discount on the a7R V here! If you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend so much money, the Sony ZV-1F is also on sale for only $398. It’s particularly great for vlogging and YouTube videos, and isn’t quite so chunky and intimidating.

10. AMAZON GIFT CARDS

If you truly can’t decide what to get for someone, you can absolutely never go wrong with a gift card. Amazon has a million different gift cards to pick from throughout Cyber Weekend. Definitely take advantage of that while you can, even if it’s just buying yourself a gift card to use next year when you’re in need of something for your business. I mean, why not?? You can look through the gift card options here!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I hope this list helps you come up with a few gift ideas for the photographer in your life. Or if you’re a photographer yourself, I hope this list reminds you to invest in your business and believe in yourself! I’ve been a full-time photographer since 2012 and it all started with my first Canon 5D Mark II. It truly only takes one amazing camera and one amazing artist to create a successful business.

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more Black Friday/Cyber Weekend camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

(By using the links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

My book is finally out! TEMPORARY BEAUTY: A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose through Art & Meditation

 

TEMPORARY BEAUTY: A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose through Art & Meditation

I can’t believe the day has finally arrived! My book, Temporary Beauty, is officially available on Amazon. This book has been a long time coming and I’m so ready for the world to read it.

You can watch my YouTube video discussing my book release here!

I honestly can’t believe I got up to the courage to actually share this book. It’s essentially all of my deepest, darkest secrets tied up in a nice little bow. There have been moments where my stomach has dropped, knowing that people might read these stories. But I keep reminding myself that if I’m nervous, then I’m doing something right. I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and testing my limits. I’m living my life to the fullest. When I was growing up and going through the dark moments of my mental health journey, I was constantly searching for books that would validate my thoughts and feelings so I could feel less alone. I loved angsty coming-of age novels and books like It’s Kind of a Funny Story and The Bell Jar. I like to think that I would have loved stumbling across Temporary Beauty during that time. In my more adult years, I fell in love with books like The Collected Schizophrenias, Educated and World of Wonders - creative memoirs and honest accounts of personal struggle. While I’ve never really been the kind of artist to be majorly creatively influenced by the work of others, I do think Temporary Beauty falls somewhere in the vein of these books. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum, which lends to a lot of loneliness and insecurity, but I think has also allowed me a lot of room to grow as an artist. Ultimately though, if I’m able to help even just one person to feel some comaraderie with this book, then it was all worth it. We’re all just searching for community and understanding, especially as we’re navigating difficult times.

Temporary Beauty is a collection of memories, poetic ponderings, travel adventures, journal entries, nightmares, and love stories, following Myles through her picturesque childhood in the Blue Ridge Mountains and on to her adventure-filled twenties as a photographer in the Pacific Northwest, discovering herself as an artist. After her diagnosis of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in high school, she spent her college years struggling to find her footing, finding solace in art, meditation, and travel. Temporary Beauty is a reflection of what it means to be a career-driven woman in modern society, an honest and unapologetic account of the darkness that mental illness can bring, and a conscious reminder of the fragility and beauty of human existence.

"And regardless of my mental illness, deep down I do believe that the day will come where I can walk through the woods, alone, and feel not an ounce of sadness or crippling fear. The grass will be filled with neon-green four-leaf clovers, and delicate pink blossoms will hang silently from the perfectly silhouetted fog-lined trees. I will smile to myself about all that I’ve accomplished. I’ll be proud of myself for defeating my unhinged mind. But that would mean that I’d have to have won the ultimate battle. The one between me and my anxiety. The one battle that never seems to end." — From Temporary Beauty

 If this book sounds like something you could relate to, I’d love for you to read it.

 And if you feel inclined, please leave a review on my Amazon page when you finish reading it! It will help others to be able to find my book too! And make sure to follow my author page on Amazon for future releases.

Purchase Temporary Beauty!

Thank you all for your support as I’ve been navigating this journey of becoming an author!

- Myles Katherine

(By using the links and/or codes above it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

 

Temporary Beauty: A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose through Art and Meditation - Book Release on April 14, 2024!

 

Temporary Beauty:

A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose through Art and Meditation

Book Release on April 14, 2024!

If you follow me on any social media, you know that I’m planning to release my first book soon! I’ve spent the last 4 years working tirelessly to make it absolutely perfect before it’s debut into the world. Temporary Beauty is a memoir about my personal experience with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, alongside my journey with art and spirituality. While my idea for the book technically began in 2008, it wasn’t until 2020 that I truly sat down and began forming it into a reality. Back in 2008. it was all too fresh and overwhelming - I wasn’t ready to share my experience with the world yet. But during the pandemic, I found myself with time to spare and I knew that if I didn’t sit down and write it then, I never would. I ended up taking an online writing workshop with my friend, Renee (she runs a small business called Write for Joy), and she helped me to structure my days and actually get the words onto the page. By the end of the workshop, I’d written over 160,000 words for my book. However, I quickly learned that it was just too long for the standard book-making industry. I forced myself to scale back, focus on the message and eliminate unnecessary length. The book is now right around 90,000 words and is all the better for it. I’ve learned so much while working on this project. The world of writing is entirely different than anything I’ve ever experienced and I truly respect anyone who has taken the time and energy to full understand the industry. The main takeaway for me was this:

If I wanted full creative control over my book, I’d have to self-publish it.

As a photographer and artist, the idea of someone else telling me what my cover should look like made me crazy. Not to mention, the editing that would go along with it. I wanted my message to be fully mine.

I honestly couldn’t be more proud of myself for how hard I’ve worked on this. I’ve poured every last bit of my heart and soul into it. I’ve never spent this much time or creative energy on a project in my life. Temporary Beauty represents everything about me that I’ve always been too afraid to share. It’s essentially all of my deepest, darkest secrets wrapped up in a nice little bow. I’m extremely nervous about it, if we’re being real! But I know that this book has a much larger message than just me. It’s about the reality of dealing with a mental health disorder. It’s about the expectations of society on women and artists. It’s about finding your own spiritual path. It’s about pushing yourself to your ultimate limit. It’s about being brutally honest, even when it hurts. It’s about family, love and human existence.

I hope that you’ll consider reading it.

I’ll be sure to make a blog post about it once it’s officially available for purchase on April 14th!

See you then.

<3 Myles Katherine