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22 Best Gifts for Photographers, Whether They’re Pros or Just Getting Started

P.S. These totally work for your Instagram-obsessed friend too.

Headshot of Olivia Truffaut-WongBy Olivia Truffaut-Wong
best gifts for photographers, photography accessories
John Francis

We all have *that* one friend. The one who takes the best Instagram photos, who somehow always finds your good side (yes, even in candids), and who just has to stop and take a photo of the sunset on a gorg summer night. And friends like that, well, they deserve a thank you every now and again. And what says "thank you for taking my Hinge profile pic" better than a thoughtful gift?

Picking the perfect gift for any photographer is hard—whether they're a professional or just your unofficial Instagram husband. Not only is it an extremely technical (and pricey) art, but there are also SO. MANY. OPTIONS. There are Bluetooth shutter buttons that let you take selfies more easily, digital photo picture frames to share pics with family and friends from afar, and even camera phone cases à la Emily in Paris. And that's just scratching the surface. If you're overwhelmed, don't worry, I found all the best gift ideas that every photographer lover will appreciate (and actually use).

TBH, these gifts for photographers don't need to go to your go-to photographer bestie. They're perfect for any photo lover at any level—beginner to full-on professional. They might even help turn your friend into your very own personal paparazzo. Just sayin'.

Shop Even More Gift Ideas Here

1
this mini Polaroid camera

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera

Amazon’s Choice
Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera
1
this mini Polaroid camera

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera

Now 22% Off
$100 at Amazon$98 at Walmart$100 at adorama.com
Credit: Amazon

What better way to experiment with Polaroids than this cute Instax Mini Camera? This version comes with an easy, one-touch selfie button so you can snap pics with your friends.

2
an online photography class taught by a legend

MasterClass Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
2
an online photography class taught by a legend

MasterClass Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

Credit: MasterClass

Best known for her portrait work in Vanity Fair and Vogue (she's photographed Kim and Kanye and Queen Elizabeth), photographer Annie Leibovitz lends her years of experience to anyone with a Masterclass membership in this webinar. It's the perfect experience gift for your friend who's been dying to take a photography class.

3
a personalized camera strap

DeboShop1 Personalized Camera Strap

Personalized Camera Strap
3
a personalized camera strap

DeboShop1 Personalized Camera Strap

Now 32% Off
Credit: DeboShop1/Etsy

Being a photographer requires a lot of gear, and not a lot of it is particularly cute. Enter: these personalized floral camera straps.

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4
a cool solar photography kit

Uncommon Goods Solar Photography Kit

Solar Photography Kit
4
a cool solar photography kit

Uncommon Goods Solar Photography Kit

Credit: Uncommon Goods

Learning a new way to take pictures is always exciting for a photographer, especially when it involves getting back to basics: taking pics using only the light from the sun, some photo paper, and a subject.

5
this photography subscription

Art Book Club Art Book Box Subscription

Art Book Box Subscription
5
this photography subscription

Art Book Club Art Book Box Subscription

Credit: Cratejoy

Give the gift of inspiration and ~fancy~ home decor with Cratejoy's Art Book Club subscription box, which can be personalized for an "Art and Photography" fan.

6
the cutest camera earrings

Obsessories Handmade Camera Lens Earrings

Camera Lens Earrings
6
the cutest camera earrings

Obsessories Handmade Camera Lens Earrings

Credit: ObsessoriesHandmade/Etsy

Give your photo buddy the gift of wearing their passion on their ears with these v realistic looking lens earrings.

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7
a sturdy tripod

Ktaxon Camera Tripod

Camera Tripod
7
a sturdy tripod

Ktaxon Camera Tripod

Now 31% Off
Credit: Walmart

No photographer likes taking blurry pictures—unintentional ones, at least—and you can help them avoid that with this handy tripod! (Note: this one claims to be for DSLR cameras only, but reviewers write that they've used the tripod with other devices just fine.)

8
a basic digital camera

Kodak Digital Camera

Digital Camera
8
a basic digital camera

Kodak Digital Camera

Credit: Walmart

Have a friend that loves photography, but hasn't yet taken the step into actually being a photographer? This digital camera is a great place to start. It's small and light enough for the average person to travel with, and can take great pictures on automatic settings. It also shoots HD videos.

9
a tote bag to hold camera accessories

great/grand/golden. Rage Tote Bag

Rage Tote Bag
9
a tote bag to hold camera accessories

great/grand/golden. Rage Tote Bag

Now 10% Off
Credit: great/grand/golden/Society6

Every photographer needs something to carry their gear in. They also sometimes need some inspiration. This tote, designed by collage artist great/grand/golden, does both.

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10
a retro disposable camera set

KODAK Funsaver One Time Use Film Camera

Funsaver One Time Use Film Camera
10
a retro disposable camera set

KODAK Funsaver One Time Use Film Camera

Credit: Amazon

Nothing says nostalgia quite like disposable cameras. These babies still shoot on film, allowing a budding photographer to play with film without having to buy an expensive camera.

11
a cute memory card holder keychain

NotABoxCreations SD Card Holder Keychain

SD Card Holder Keychain
11
a cute memory card holder keychain

NotABoxCreations SD Card Holder Keychain

Credit: NotABoxCreations/Etsy

Cute, unique, and useful? Talk about the perfect gift. This camera keychain comes in a whole bunch of different colors and features a slot for a memory card, so whoever is taking pics will never run out of storage.

12
extra lights to create the perfect shot

Bower 2-Pack Content Creator LED Light Kit

2-Pack Content Creator LED Light Kit
12
extra lights to create the perfect shot

Bower 2-Pack Content Creator LED Light Kit

Credit: Walmart

Good lighting can make or break a photo. These two lights each give off different effects—one is a RGB colorful flare, the other a white light—to help customize the lighting to your photographer's liking.

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13
a portable photo printer

KODAK Dock Plus Instant Photo Printer

Best Seller
Dock Plus Instant Photo Printer
13
a portable photo printer

KODAK Dock Plus Instant Photo Printer

Now 18% Off
Credit: Amazon

This instant printer is an Amazon best seller that will charge your phone while printing out gorgeous 4x6 prints. It can also be used via Bluetooth.

14
a camera cleaning kit

Altura Photo Professional Camera Cleaning Kit

Professional Camera Cleaning Kit
14
a camera cleaning kit

Altura Photo Professional Camera Cleaning Kit

Credit: Amazon

Taking care of a camera is key for any photographer—nothing ruins a great shot quite like flecks of dust on the lenses. This cleaning kit has everything a photographer needs for clear pics.

15
a super convenient micro fiber cloth

photodom. Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth Pouch

Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth Pouch
15
a super convenient micro fiber cloth

photodom. Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth Pouch

Credit: Photodom

If a whole kit seems like overkill, there's also this simple micro fiber cleaning cloth keychain. Easy to strap onto any camera bag, the pouch comes with one cleaning cloth that will clear away any lens smudges. (Hot tip: also a great gift for glasses wearers.)

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16
an art print for inspo

Aaron Ricketts The Drop Art Print

The Drop Art Print
16
an art print for inspo

Aaron Ricketts The Drop Art Print

Now 25% Off
Credit: Aaron Ricketts/Society6

Losing your artistic drive is tough, but it happens to everyone. One way to help ease out of it: fill your home with inspiration, like this cool print from photographer Aaron Ricketts.

17
a detailed camera bag

BAGSMART Camera Backpack

Camera Backpack
17
a detailed camera bag

BAGSMART Camera Backpack

Credit: Amazon

For more serious photographers, a camera backpack is a must. This baby has customizable compartments to hold multiple cameras, lenses, and attachments (tripods, etc) easily. Add in a stylish, waterproof design, and you've got yourself a win.

18
phone lenses to turn a smartphone into a super camera

Apexel 5 in 1 Cellphone Lens Kit

5 in 1 Cellphone Lens Kit
18
phone lenses to turn a smartphone into a super camera

Apexel 5 in 1 Cellphone Lens Kit

Credit: Walmart

Carrying a camera everywhere can be hard on the back, but there's nothing heavy about these interchangeable camera phone lenses that will help take phone photography to the next level. This set comes with a fisheye lens, a wide angle lens, a macro lens, a telescope lens, and a CPL lens, and a convenient little pouch to store them in.

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19
a notebook for ideas

Aya Paper Co. Manifestation Lined Journal

Manifestation Lined Journal
19
a notebook for ideas

Aya Paper Co. Manifestation Lined Journal

Now 25% Off
Credit: Nordstrom

You never know when inspiration will strike, so help a photographer keep track of their ideas with this cute notebook.

20
a multi-slot memory card reader

SmartQ SD Card Reader

SD Card Reader
20
a multi-slot memory card reader

SmartQ SD Card Reader

Credit: Amazon

A lot of computers don't come with built-in memory card slots (😥), so if you know a photographer who shoots digital, odds are they need one of these handy USB SD card readers. They are super useful, but also incredibly easy to misplace. Even if whoever you're shopping for already has some, I'm sure they wouldn't say no to one more.

Headshot of Olivia Truffaut-Wong
Olivia Truffaut-Wong
Editor

Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an entertainment and culture writer and editor who will never turn down a romance or superhero movie. Her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.  

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