The best Christmas gifts for photographers

The best gifts for photographers, from tripods to Polaroids

photographer heaven

by William Austin-Lobley |
Updated on

If your friend or loved one is into photography and you’re unsure of what to gift them, have no fear. We’ve handpicked perfect presents for photographers, from affordable stocking fillers to fancy bits of tech.

We’ve chosen a range of gifts that any photographer will be glad to receive in the place of some camera-shaped chocolates. We’ve picked items that cater to street photographers and landscape photographers, reportage film-shooters and urban snappers. There are books and cameras, straps and scanners, and a few high-tech editing gadgets. Read on to see the best gifts for photographers.

Click here to jump to the best novelty gifts for photographers

The best gifts for photographers

The best gift for street photographers

The GR III is a treat for anyone who likes to take discreet street snaps, ala Daido Moriyama, or who travels and wants exceptional photographs without the weight of CSC cameras and lenses. The GR III has a 24.4MP sensor, 28mm equivalent f2.8 lens and shake reduction. For a little extra cash, the Street Edition has a detachable electronic viewfinder.

The best gift for the tech-head

Loupedeck CT
Price: $559.00
Alternative retailers
Adorama$453.00View offer
Newegg$776.38View offer

This innovative console is straight out of a photographer's dreams, shaving precious time off a workflow. The buttons, dials and touchscreen are fully customisable for streamlined control over editing software. Itu2019s also great for videographers, sound engineers and digital designers. Compatible with PC and Mac, and support includes Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Ableton Live.

The best gift for the extreme sports fan

GoPro Hero 9 Black

Rrp: $249.99

Price: $65.99
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Alternative retailers
Adorama$154.00View offer
Walmart$214.89View offer
B&H Photo Video$249.00View offer
Newegg$321.57View offer

All-singing, all-dancing and all-terrain, this robust action camera boasts some serious specs. We reviewed the little action camera to see if it still help up in 2021, and weu2019re happy to say that it nailed it. You can read our full review here.

The best for budding landscape photographers

Manfrotto MT190GOA Tripod
Price: $184.95

Landscape photography and tripods go hand-in-hand. A sturdy base is needed to frame a mountaintop sunrise perfectly, and hand-holding a long exposure on a waterfall is a blurry recipe for disaster. This aluminium pick from Manfrotto is a sturdy choice, with plenty of adjustment to ensure a straight and crisp shot.

The best book for street photographers

Bystander: A History Of Street Photography

Rrp: $70.00

Price: $50.03
Alternative retailers
Target$39.99View offer

In this hefty hardback, pioneering photographer Joel Meyerowitz and curator Colin Westerbeck take a detailed look at the history of street photography. Brimming with important research and inspirational photographs spanning over one hundred years, this is an essential read for any street-based shooter, be they a rookie or a master.

The best book for architecture photographers

Beyond Architecture

Rrp: $80.00

Price: $59.99

The perfect gift for urban and architecture photographers, this book charts the acclaimed work of Micael Kenna. The images demonstrate how light, contrast and scale can be portrayed by the camera lens. This should get the creative juices flowing, for sure.

The best book for landscape photographers

Masters Of Landscape

Rrp: $34.95

Price: $26.30

Landscape photography - it's easy, right? Just point the lens at a nice mountain and click away. Well, Maters Of Landscape will soon correct such a notion. Over 170-plus pages, this book details some of the most astounding landscape photographs ever taken. Alongside images, 16 professional landscape photographers detail what it takes to capture and treat a great scenic image.

The best book for fashion photographers

Peter Lindbergh On Fashion Photography

Rrp: $30.00

Price: $19.99
Alternative retailers
Target$19.99View offer

A legendary text among fashion circles, this book gathers 300-plus images together that chart how Peter Lindbergh changed the face of fashion photography. In addition to the pictures, there's an interview with the photographer and a look at his process. On Fashion Photography is the ideal gift for any wannabe style icon.

Recommended

Polaroid Now I-Type Instant Camera

Rrp: $119.99

Price: $96.76

We all know the deal with a Polaroid camera - it's a point-and-shoot that prints photos immediately and inspires oodles of retro nostalgia. This new edition keeps the traditional Polaroid spirit and injects it with modern convenience, including autofocus, photo counter and accurate flash.

The best for intuitive photo editing

Wacom Intuous M
Price: $205.00
Alternative retailers
Newegg$292.99View offer

If the photographer in your life is looking for more precision and control when editing, look no further. This Bluetooth pen-controlled tablet offers the user some intuitive control of their editing process. In addition to the pen, the tablet has four customisable buttons for added convenience.

The best for intrepid photographers

Joby Gorillapod 3K
Price: $113.69
Alternative retailers
Adorama$26.00View offer
B&H Photo Video$45.00View offer
Newegg$89.95View offer

This gift is more than a tripod. It allows the user to mount a camera to a tree or get extra extension while shooting a vlog. This innovative kit is a great pick for any intrepid explorer with a creative spark and penchant for unusual photo locations.

Recommended

Gobe UV + Circular Polarizing Lens Filter Kit
Price: $74.00

This polarizer is excellent for photographing in bright sunshine and negating reflections and glare. Plus, the good folks over at Gobe will plant five trees in an area affected by deforestation with the funds from the sale. Just make sure you double-check that youu2019re ordering the right size!

Recommended

Kodak 400TX Black and White Film
Price: $23.13
Alternative retailers
Walmart$13.99View offer

There's a lot that is very satisfying about shooting with film cameras. However, one thing that certainly isn't satisfying is buying costly new film (you win this one, digital cameras). Why not help a film fanatic out and gift them some 400X, a favourite among photojournalists.

Recommended

Epson Perfection V600 Photo
Price: $427.68

The availability of super negative photo scanners like the Epson Perfection V600 allows analogue shooters to digitise and edit their work. Itu2019s the best of both worlds. This one will handle colour and monochrome negatives and has handy and well-implemented features, including scratch removal.

Recommended

Lomography Konstruktor F
Price: $32.90
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Alternative retailers
Adorama$39.00View offer

This excellent kit from Lomography gives the lucky recipient all they need to build a fully functional 35mm film camera, complete with a changeable lens. While we think it's unlikely that the resulting photos will win the Pulitzer Prize, building the camera is rewarding and it's huge fun to play with.

The best for everyday camera use

Available in three sizes, the Everday Sling is an excellent bag for city-dwelling photographers. While the exterior is robust and waterproof, the inside is configurable for different camera bodies and lenses. The larger sizes can even carry tablets or laptops. Read our hands-on review of the Peak Design Everyday Sling 3L here.

Recommended

Chic and upcycled, this seatbelt strap is an excellent pick for anyone who likes to look good while taking care of the planet. It'll look particularly sharp on vintage and retro-styled cameras.

The best novelty gifts for photographers

The perfect gift for the photographer with a dark sense of humour.

Glitopper Retro Camera Crew Socks
Price: $19.99

A lot cheaper than a new camera, and they'll probably be used more often.

Sounds like the makings of a good weekend!

K&F Concept 77mm Kaleidoscope Prism Lens Filter
Price: $29.99

Most lenses make things easier one way or another - but this one is all about messing everything up. It's a great one for a bit of fun and for getting the creative juices flowing.

Has the photographer in your life run out of shelf space for new cameras? These fancy mounts will fix the problem, keeping the cameras safe and letting them be displayed for all to see and appreciate.

Still not found what you're looking for? Here are some of our top photography buying guides:

The best budget action cameras

The best instant cameras to print your photos instantly

Best point and shoot cameras

William Lobley is a Senior Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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