It’s Gift Guide time! I truly don’t understand how it’s already December… this year has been a blur of travel, work, blogging, YouTube videos, and now, a new little puppy! We just picked up our new girlie a few days ago. Our lives have been flipped upside down but she’s already starting to feel like a part of the family. All of this to say, it’s taken me a bit longer than expected to put this Gift Guide together. :)
If you’re looking for something for the photographer, videographer, or artist in your life, I hope this guide helps to give you a few ideas!
1. HOLGA GCFN OR DIANA F+
It’s no secret that the Holga is my favorite camera in the world. I still remember my very first roll of film I ever took and how enamored I was with the photos. There is something so magical about it’s unpredictability. I have a full blog post and YouTube video about the Holga too, in case you’re interested in finding out more about it! The Diana F+ is very similar to the Holga and also falls into the “toy camera” category. I find the Diana F+ to be a bit more tricky to use, but the images also have that vignetting and surreal quality that toy cameras are known for. A Holga or Diana F+ is a great gift for photographers of any level because when it really comes down to it, they’re super easy to use. There aren’t a whole lot of settings to learn or deep knowledge of aperture and shutter speed. The trickiest part is understanding the quirks of toy cameras, but that’s part of the fun of these cameras; learning as you go. Not to mention, they look super cute on a shelf! I prefer the GCFN model, which has a glass lens and a flash. The Holga typically can be found in black, but you can find lots of other fun colors on eBay! Every photographer I know loves the Holga once they try it out. Personally, the Holga is what made me fall in love in photography and I never leave home without it!
WHERE TO BUY THE HOLGA GCFN
WHERE TO BUY THE DIANA F+
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2. SQUARESPACE OR SMUGMUG SUBSCRIPTION
There’s really nothing more important for a photographer to have than a website. For someone who is just starting out, a website can be an expensive and confusing investment. I use Squarespace and I absolutely love it. The templates are incredibly easy to use and understand. You don’t need to be a website designer to have an amazing website. I’ve tried out a few other options like Wordpress and Wix, but I find that you need a much deeper understanding of web design and code to really make a great site. I actually have 3 Squarespace websites that I run now because I love it so much!
For photo storage for my clients, I use Smugmug. I’ve been using it for years and years, mostly for wedding photography but also for my own personal photo storage. I have the Portfolio plan so it comes with unlimited storage and I just upload my photo sets directly from Lightroom. I even have my phone set to auto-upload so it’s basically like cloud storage, but better. The app is great too because I can download any photo at any time for posting to social media. It’s also SO incredibly important to have some sort of online storage in case something happens to your physical hard drives. I always make sure to backup my photos in multiple places, but I feel so much better once I upload them to Smugmug because I know my photos won’t disappear if my house burns down. Terrifying to think about, but I can’t imagine if something happened to all of my photos!
WHERE TO BUY
Squarespace Subscription (free 14 day trial!)
Smugmug Subscription (use this link for 30% off new accounts until December 16th!)
3. SOCIETY6 PRINTS AND PRODUCTS
If you’re thinking of buying something arts-supportive for your creative friend or family member, Society6 is a website that artists upload their work to and then can sell products from. There are so many different product options: coffee mugs, pillowcases, shower curtains, clocks, bathroom mats, framed prints, blankets, etc. It’s a great way to support other artists because they get to set their own earning percentage. I’ve been using Society6 forever and my family and I love to gift each other things from the site. You can check out my Artist Page here, or you can browse designs by hundreds of thousands of other artists. It’s so much better than buying some random framed art print or coffee mug from Walmart or some other major retailer because on Society6 you’re supporting super small, unknown artists who deserve the recognition and truly appreciate the sale and support. Every time I sell a print on Society6 it makes my day!
4. UNIQUE FILM STOCK
There’s nothing more exciting to me than trying out a new film stock. There are so many different options out there and really, you can’t go wrong. Film typically comes in two options, 35 mm or 120 (also called medium format). There are other sizes of film too, but these are the main options. Just make sure you’re buying the right one for the camera! Personally, I love Lomography and all of their strange and unique film stocks like LomoChrome Purple and LomoChrome Turquoise, but I also love their standard color film stock too. Kodak is probably the most common and most consistent film brand, and Kodak Gold 200 is a great one for beginners and has a gorgeous warm tone to it. I find Fujilfilm 35 mm film to have a classic greenish tint to it that reminds me of the 90s, which is super fun too. And if you really want to impress your photographer friend, buy them Portra 160, Portra 400, or Portra 800. This film is the best of the best, but it’s pricey, so a photographer will always appreciate if you buy it for them! You can also check out my blog post about Unique Film Stocks for 35 mm Cameras here or my Top 5 Favorite Color Films for 35 mm Cameras here. Sometimes, I just browse Amazon and pick up one I’ve never seen before, but if you’re not quite there yet or want some guidance, here are a few I’d recommend.
Lomography LomoChrome Turquoise
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5. CUTE CAMERA BAG
I’m actually getting a new vegan leather camera bag this year for Christmas and I cannot wait. My old camera bag is literally bursting at the seams because of how many cameras I stuff into it. There are so many great, affordable camera bags out there and I’m so glad they’ve finally started making cuter ones. When I first got into photography, all of the camera bags were unbelievably ugly and definitely not meant for women. I’m thrilled that there are finally some great options out there. I also go for the biggest option available, but that’s only because I drag 5-10 cameras with me on every photo shoot. But I desperately wish I could be that photographer that just has a cute side satchel with one 35 mm camera and two lenses. Must be nice….
You can find a ton of options on Amazon or Adorama! But here are a few I personally like!
Cwatcun Canvas Camera Backpack
Cwatcun Camera Bag, Retro Camera Crossbody Case
JAEP Camera Backpack - Weather Resistant Waxed Memory Canvas
6. PROFESSIONAL DSLR CAMERA
If you’re on the hunt for a big gift and they are serious about starting a photography career, the Canon 5D Mark IV is the perfect gift. You can read my full review about the 5D Mark IV here. It’s my main camera that I use to photograph weddings, food photography, portraits, bands, landscapes, everything. When I first started my business, I bought the Canon 5D Mark II, an earlier version of the Mark IV. It carried my business for the first 5 years or so and I definitely attribute my early success to it’s capabilities. It made me a better photographer because the images were just simply, better! It kept me inspired for years. It traveled with me all over the world. It survived drops, spills, salty ocean mist, squished camera bags, and dozens of weddings. These things are STURDY. I’m equally as obsessed with my 5D Mark IV, especially because it’s that much better than the Mark II. It has dual-camera slots so I don’t have to worry about a faulty memory card at weddings. It has incredible low-light sensitivity, video modes, multiple-exposure options, and lens options. My all-time favorite lens is the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II L USM lens, but I also love the 50 mm f/1.2 L lens for portraits and travel, because it’s much lighter and smaller and takes stunning, cinematic images. You can read my full blog post about the 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens here, or the 50 mm f/1.2 lens here. If there’s someone in your life who has mentioned wanting to start a photography business but they’re afraid to dive in, the Canon 5D Mark IV has the potential to change their life and get them creating.
WHERE TO BUY
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II L USM Lens
Canon 50 mm f/1.2 Lens
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7. TRAVEL POWER BANK/PORTABLE CHARGER
Umm. These are an absolute necessity. I’m on my phone at all times, sending emails, editing photos, posting on social media. My phone dies quickly. If your photographer friend travels a lot, these can be an actual lifesaver. Particularly for adventurers, or photographers who love to camp in the woods or explore national parks and photograph landscapes, a battery pack like this can keep them safe and accessible at all times.
8. KEH CAMERA OR ADORAMA GIFT CARD
If you’re not quite sure what to get the photographer in your life, but they are interested in film photography or buying gently used photography gear, KEH Camera is the best. They have a huge inventory of vintage cameras and gently used modern cameras. Every camera is graded so you know exactly what condition you’ll be getting. Plus, for me, they’ve always been great with returns or helping you out if there’s something wrong with one of your vintage cameras. They know a lot about gear and it’s not unusual for vintage cameras to have a few weird quirks that you have to work through. Adorama is another great site if you’re looking for photography gear. Both of these are great options if you’re looking for gift cards that are photography-specific. That way, they can pick out exactly what they want!
WHERE TO BUY
9. M4 MACBOOK PRO LAPTOP
Another necessity for serious photographers. You simply can’t be a professional photographer without a fast computer with LOTS of storage. Well, I mean, you could, but your life might be difficult! I use my computer all day every day. I’m a huge supporter of Macbooks because they tend to last forever. I’ve somehow never had one die on me, but I take extremely good care of them and make sure to never drop them or spill anything on them. When I travel, I make sure to keep it safe in a protective laptop sleeve and I never leave it out in the cold or extreme heat. Currently, I use the M1 Macbook Pro, which I’ve had since 2020, but if you’re looking for the best, I’d recommend the latest 2024 Macbook Pro with the M4 Pro chip or the Macbook Pro with the M4 Max chip. Also, there’s nothing better than opening Apple packaging on Christmas morning. It’s so satisfying because their packaging is impeccable!
WHERE TO BUY
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro Chip on Amazon
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Max Chip on Amazon
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10. EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
While Smugmug is my favorite online storage, it’s also necessary to have desktop storage. When I’m working on a big project like a YouTube video or editing a wedding, I work from an external hard drive. If you get one that has a lot of space, like a Seagate Expansion 8TB hard drive, you don’t have to bog down the hard drive on your computer, which ultimately slows your computer down. I keep my hard drives extremely organized by year, month, and photo shoot. It’s super therapeutic for my OCD mind too. Every time I fill one up, I just get another one! And I then have my files automatically backed up to Backblaze, which is super affordable cloud storage. It’s a bit different than Smugmug, because Backblaze is automatic and runs in the background. It’s a mirror image of your hard drives and your computer (in case it crashes). Smugmug is more-so for client storage and uploading finalized images. Maybe it’s a bit of overkill on my end, but my biggest fear in life is losing all of my photos!
WHERE TO BUY
Seagate Expansion 8TB External Hard Drive on Amazon
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11. FUN NEW 35 MM FILM CAMERA
There is nothing more beautiful than a classic, vintage 35 mm camera. The Canon AE-1, Pentax K1000, and the Nikon FE2 and FE3 are a few of the more common options that fall in this category. I have the Nikon FE2 and it is, by far, the best 35 mm camera I own. The photos are gorgeous, crisp, and high-quality. I actually went into the camera store thinking I was going to buy the Pentax K1000, but the store associate helped me to realize the Nikon FE2 was better for me because of it’s ability to do multiple exposures easily. I’m so glad I listened to them because I’ve taken some incredible multiple exposures over the years! I absolutely love my Nikon FE2 and it’s one of those cameras that I simply can’t leave home without. You can read my blog post about the Nikon FE2 here or watch my YouTube video here! No camera collection is complete without a classic 35 mm camera. My sister has a Canon AE-1 and she loves it as much as I love my Nikon FE2! We even made a YouTube video about the Canon AE-1 when we were in Budapest together. :)
If they are into medium format, the Mamiya 645 AF and Pentax 645 are incredible options. I actually received the Mamiya 645 for Christmas one year and it was truly one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten! I eventually upgraded to the Contax 645, but I still miss my Mamiya 645 dearly. There was something special about that camera! You can watch my YouTube video about the Mamiya 645 here or read my full blog post about the Contax 645 here!
WHERE TO BUY
Nikon FE2
Canon AE-1
Mamiya 645 AF
Contax 645
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12. NEW CAMERA LENS
if they only have a zoom lens, buy them a fixed lens and vice versa! Two of my favorite lenses for my Canon 5D Mark IV are the 24-70 mm f/2.8 II L USM lens (zoom lens) and the 50 mm f/1.2 L lens (fixed lens). Depending on which camera they have, a 35mm, 50mm, or 85 mm lens is always a great option. 35 mm lenses are great for photographers with a photojournalistic style of photography and prefer candid, playful shots. A 50 mm lens is super versatile and great for portraits, travel photography, wedding photography, etc. The images are cinematic and dreamy, with a surreal quality that can really amp up your photography game. Images from a 50 mm lens can really impress your friends and family because the look isn’t as common as a 35mm style. 85 mm lenses are a bit more zoomed in and are ideal for portrait photographers and those who really love to capture the intimacy of the human face. I find 85mm lenses a bit more difficult to use in the real world because you have to back up from your subject quite a bit. It’s not great for landscapes or traveling because you can’t get that wider field of vision. Personally, my #1 go-to lens is the 24-70mm f/2.8 II L because it’s a zoom lens and covers the full range of 35 mm and 50 mm. It’s perfect for traveling because you can get wide shots of architecture but also beautiful portraits. I use the 24-70 as my main lens at weddings, always. I used to have the original version, but upgraded to the 24-70 mm f/2.8 II not too long ago. My dream is to get the RF 24-105mm lens at some point. We’ll see! Maybe next Christmas. :)
WHERE TO BUY
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II L USM Lens
Canon 50 mm f/1.2 Lens
Canon 85 mm f./1.2 II L Lens
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13. EPSON PERFECTION FILM SCANNER
This will save every photographer TONS of money in the long run. I’ve been scanning my own film for about 10 years and it’s actually become one of my favorite things to do on a weekend. I’d rather be at home scanning film than pretty much anything else. It’s so relaxing and exciting at the same time. There’s something special about handling the negatives yourself and finding out how your images turned out. I use archival photo gloves when handling the negatives so that I avoid getting any oils on the film, and I keep all of my negatives organized in binders. I use an Epson Perfection V750 Pro (you can find used versions on eBay) but there are a few newer models of the Epson Pro scanner, like the V850 Pro, that are similar. I scan both 35 mm and 120 film, as well as polaroids and old printed photographs from my childhood. I use it to scan documents and other things too, so it’s multi-purpose. It’s traveled with me across the country twice and it’s still kicking. It’s a hefty investment but I never have to pay for a photo lab to scan my film for me anymore, so I easily save $100 for every box of film I mail in. It’s worth it, trust me!
WHERE TO BUY
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14. STUDIO LIGHTS / RING LIGHT
For someone who is just getting into photography and isn’t sure where to start when it comes to studio lighting, a ring light is a great one to start with. Sometimes, I’ll do an entire client shoot with just a ring light. It’s the perfect amount of light for polaroids if you’re shooting indoors, or for glamour shots. Ring lights are common for social media influencers to use when they’re doing videos because it really captures makeup details and makes everyone look good. It’s just flattering and is so much better than overhead lighting if you’re just in your room filming videos. The shape of the ring light creates a lovely eye sparkle too. When I’m doing a full-fledged fashion shoot, I usually use two B400 Alien Bees strobe lights and then use a Neewer 19” ring light at my continuous lighting for my film cameras. I’m on my second Neewer ring light and I love it so much. I even fly with it when I’m traveling for work and it comes with a nice carrying case!
WHERE TO BUY
Neewer 19 inch Ring Light on Amazon
Buff AlienBees B400 Monolight Strobe Flash Unit, 160 Ws | Paul C. Buff Flash Unit on Amazon
Buff AlienBees B400 Monolight Strobe Flash Unit on KEH Camera (used)
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15. POLAROID CAMERA OR INSTAX CAMERA
I’m not sure how it happened but my Polaroid collection seemed to explode overnight. I have so many polaroid cameras. Whenever friends or family members find Polaroid cameras, I end up with them. But I’m not complaining! Polaroids cameras are the epitome of retro photography. And there’s something so gratifying about instant photography and watching the photograph develop in front of you. I mainly use a vintage Polaroid 600 camera because they are very simple and easy to use. They are basically just a point and shoot camera. It takes a little bit of time to understand the best kinds of lighting conditions for Polaroids, but I’ve learned to shoot in the shade when possible, not stand too close or too far away from my subject, and immediately put the Polaroid in my back pocket to develop. They are sensitive to cold temperatures and won’t develop correctly if they aren’t warm. And make sure not to touch the photograph while it’s developing or you’ll get fingerprints in the image! You can read more about shooting with Polaroid 600 cameras in my blog post here. And you can purchase Polaroid 600 film on Amazon or on Polaroid.com! If you feel unsure about buying a vintage camera, you should check out one the new cameras Polaroid is producing, like the Polaroid Now+ Generation 2. It has bluetooth capabilities for connecting for your phone for more creative control. It takes the classic 600 film or Polaroid’s newer film, i-Type.
I usually bring a Polaroid 600 and a Fujfilm Instax Square SQ10 to weddings because I like the Polaroid 600 for special, planned out shots and the SQ10 for all of those inbetween moments because it’s a digital/film hybrid. Instax film is much cheaper so I don’t feel as bad taking more photos. But with the Polaroid brand film, you’re usually in about $1.50-$2.00 per image so I make sure to take my time with those.
Similar to the Holga, Polaroid cameras are somewhat simple but do require a bit of a learning curve to end up with the best photos possible. But regardless, they are super fun to experiment with, look great on a shelf, are exciting to create with, and deserve to continue to be recognized for their magic.
WHERE TO BUY
Polaroid 600 Camera (vintage)
Polaroid.com (for newer versions of the 600 camera)
Polaroid 600 Film
Instax Square Hybrid Camera
16. GIFT CARD FOR TRAVEL OR HOTELS
As a photographer, I have to constantly find ways to keep myself inspired. I get bored shooting at the same venues and parks over and over again. I try to take a major trip out of the country at least once a year, and a few smaller trips to places I’ve never been in the US whenever I get a chance. We also like to visit the West Coast once a year since we have family and friends out there as well. I’ve somehow become the designated family trip planner because everyone knows I’m the best at finding good deals. Personally, I would love to receive a gift card to Hotels.com, AirBnb, Hopper, or just a Visa gift card!
And just a tip, if traveling for business, make sure to use a business credit card like the Chase Ink Business Card so you get 1.5% cash back! You can find out more here if you’re interested! I’m a bit of a finance freak so I’m always trying to earn points for my spending. :)
Yes. I’m a coupon-clipper kind of girl….
17. ADOBE LIGHTROOM OR PHOTOSHOP SUBSCRIPTION
I don’t know what I’d do without Lightroom. I use it every single day to edit every single photo. Photoshop and Lightroom go hand in hand - Lightroom is great for batch editing and getting it done quickly, while Photoshop is helpful for those photos that need a lot of detailed editing. Lightroom makes it super easy to transfer a file into Photoshop for more intensive editing, and then it will automatically ask if you’d like to save your changes to Lightroom. All of this to say, a Lightroom and/or Photoshop subscription is a great gift for a beginning photographer. Or if they already have Photoshop and Lightroom, it’s always appreciated when someone else covers our yearly subscription! :)
WHERE TO BUY
18. APPLE AIR TAGS
When I first heard about AirTags, I found them kind of creepy. I guess the idea of something tracking me and my stuff at all times freaked me out. But I received a pack of 4 for Christmas one year and they’re a game-changer. My husband and I each have them in our work bags so we know if we’ve ever left them behind somewhere. And while we’re traveling, we can track our suitcases and make sure they don’t get left behind somewhere. I joke with my husband that I want to put AirTags on everything we own. Plus, it’s fun to check my phone and watch our little AirTag emoji’s moving about if Chris is at work or my suitcase is being transferred through the airport. You can also get a keychain for the AirTag so you can attach it to your keys or bag. I’ll be getting one for my husband this year because he’s notorious for losing his keys…..
WHERE TO BUY
AirTags
Keychain
19. AMAZON.COM GIFT CARD
I couldn’t tell you how many times Amazon has saved me. There are times when I have a photo shoot in a few days and I realize I’m almost out of film or that I need some special camera battery and I need it yesterday. Amazon has some of the fastest shipping you can find for niche products like camera batteries, film, and other photography necessities. Also, it’s great if you aren’t sure what to get your photographer friend or family member because all of this photography jargon stresses you out. Believe me, Amazon has something that they want.
20. BUY THEIR WORK FROM THEIR WEBSITE!
Lastly, but most importantly, if your friend or family member who you’re shopping for is a photographer, videographer, or artist of any kind, the best gift you can give them for the holidays is to support their work! Buy their artwork through their website. Book them for a photo shoot. Order their prints. Buy their photo books. Artists are always hustling and never getting back everything they put into their work. It will make their day if you buy their artwork in any capacity. Believe me. Nothing makes me feel more fulfilled or excited than when I sell a photo print or receive a kind message about my photography. Or if you want to make my day, pick up a copy of my book, Temporary Beauty: A Memoir about Panic Disorder and Finding Purpose through Art and Meditation. Many artists and photographers will likely relate to some of the struggles and stories I share in my book.
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 camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!
<3 Myles Katherine
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