photography equipment

Looking for some awesome gift ideas for that serious photographer in your family. Here are my top ten, okay eleven gifts for the serious photographer, and a few fun ideas thrown in for good measure.

1.Lens Strap Holder

This is a must have for me. I’m always misplacing, losing and forgetting where I put my lens caps. Often I find on in a coat pocket, in the glove box of my car, or even under the seat. So I buy lens caps by the dozen, ok, maybe not that many, but I find them in coat pockets, under the seat of the car and in the couch cushion. I’ve tried lens cap keepers, you know the elastic with the string that dangles and those are an economical solution, but the lens clip holders that slide on the camera strap are really nice.

Now, repeat after me, I will not lose my lens cap, I will not lose my lens cap.

Universal Lens Cap Anti-losing Holder Clip Buckle forMegaGear Camera Buckle Lens Cap Holder for 67,5 Pieces Lens Cap Keeper Holder + Microfiber

2. Macro Extension Tube Adapters and Tools

I did get a set of extension tubes for Christmas since I wrote this, and they are wonderful, But, you do need additional tools to accomplish really good macro photography. I wish I had a real Macro lens, but they are out of my budget. I love taking flower porn shots in the spring and summer (just check it out) before you judge.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR CamerasFotodiox Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set for Extreme Close-UpsBiG DIGITAL Macro Ring Light Kit + Macro Extension tube set forCowboystudio Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control and CameraFotodiox M-Reverse-77-Nikon-Kit RB2A 77MM Macro Reverse Ring Kit with G and DX

3.Fun Camera lenses

This isn’t a need, fun camera lenses such as fish eyes, tilt lenses and spy lenses that will shoot around the corner are just that, FUN. An escape and reason to be creative with your photography when life gets boring.

Opteka Voyeur Right Angle Spy Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLR CamerasBower SLY358C Ultra Wide-Angle 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens for CanonLensbaby Spark for Canon

4. White Balance Cap

Oh this sounds so dreamy. Ever been in a setting where the color just doesn’t turn out right. Yellow cast in a room, gymnasiums with that awful yellow wooden floor, or the grey days that make skin tones blue. Just shoot a photo with this cap and automatically set your cameras white balance. Perfect tones.

BRNO baLens BAL58 58mm White Balance Snap-on Lens Cap with Neutral and Warm DomesPromaster SystemPRO White Balance Lens Cap – 52MM

5. Sturdy and Lightweight Tripod

Taking really sharp photos requires a steady hand, but more times than not it requires a tripod. One that won’t shake in the wind and one that will handle a 300-400mm lens without falling over. I borrowed my son’s professional tripod while he was in the Marines, but once he left for film school I had to give it back. Didn’t know it was a loan at the time.

Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70XCSOURCE Professional Portable Magnesium Aluminium Alloy Tripod MonopodFlexpod Flexible Tripod

6. Fun Photography Gifts

Not everything needs to be a lens, or a tool to improve your photography. Serious amateurs and photographers like to have a little fun, show of their hobby, or profession with novelty camera gifts. My favorite photo related gift I received was my Canon lens cup, I use it every day at work and it has fooled several people.

Fotodiox Camera Lens Shaped Self-Stirring Stainless Steel Interior24-105mm Camera Lens Cup Travel Coffee Mug /The Shot Glass Lens Set – Looks LikeHigh Quality 16 GB Camera shape USB FlashVintage Camera Lens Necklace, Camera Pendant, 24Vintage Camera Photo AlbumLina & Lily Vintage Camera Print Loop Infinity

7. Fashionable Camera Bag

I’m sorry, but the the standard black Canon camera bag is boring, ugly, and unyielding. Don’t get me a wrong, it’s a standard in the industry, keeps your camera and lenses protected. But, I’m a woman, I want a little variety and when I don’t need to carry ALL my lenses I just need a combination purse-camera bag combination.

The camera bag insert looks amazing. With as many times as I change purses why wouldn’t I want to change camera bags. This insert will fit into any large size pouch purse or fun shopping bag, all while keeping your camera and gear protected. Makes sense to me!

JAVOedge Medium Synthetic Leather Camera Messenger Style Bag for Nikon/Canon/Sony/Pentax/Panasonic DSLR (Light Brown)Koolertron Vintage fashionable Canvas DSLR Camera Bag Shoulder Messenger Bag Fit DSLR with 3 lenses For Canon Sony Nikon Canon Olympus And So On Features: (Green)Evecase Large Canvas Outdoor Travel Camera Case/Bag w/Laptop Compartment & Rain Cover for Nikon D810, D800/D800E, D750, D700, D610, D600, D90, D80, D60, D4S, D4, D7100, D7000, D5300, D5200, D3300 (Olive)Kelly Moore B Hobo Bag – WalnutClik Elite Klettern Backpack for Photographers CE735GRBBP DSLR Camera Insert, Make Your Own Camera Bag – Orange

8.Photography Books

Yes, I know you can learn everything about photography from the internet and YouTube, so why would you want a photography book? It’s the same difference between looking at your photos on a computer or actually holding a photograph in your hand. With a how to Photoshop book you can write in the margins, bookmark, make notes and admire the amazing photographs anywhere, any place while being unplugged.

Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a BookAdobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book: The Complete GuideImprove Your Wildlife Photography (Improve Your Photography BookPet Photography: From Snapshots to Great ShotsNewborn Photography Made EasyInsights From Beyond the Lens: Inside the ArtMastering Macro Photography – Ideas, Tips, Tutorials &

9.Wancom Tablet

I love photo editing and graphic design and use Photoshop all the time. I would like to learn how to take my photographs and art to the next level and a Wancom tablet seems to be the next step. Many newborn photographers rely on their Wancom to smooth blotchy baby skin tones, and senior photographers use it to erase acne from teenagers. Then there are the digital artists that can take

Wacom banboo one Pen Tablet CTL471 for PCHow to Draw Digital Art in PhotoshopDigital Paintings 2001-2015: 14 years with a Wacom®

10.Moniter Calibration System:

Ever wonder why the prints you get back are not the same color as what you saw on your screen, or what you saw on your friends screen?  It’s because monitors go out of calibration and mess with our heads. Extremely important if you’re adjusting skin tones and really need the magenta to be accurate. Lately I designed something that contained burgundy. But when it was printed the color was brown. I liked it still the same, but not what I expected. Hint, hint to any of my family who is thinking of something for Christmas.

X-Rite CMUNPH ColorMunki PhotoColorVision Spyder2PRO Win/Mac

11. Black Rapid Camera Strap

Nope, couldn’t hold myself to 10, I have a love/hate relationship with my camera strap. It’s a pain to wear around your neck, but it’s a pain to carry the camera separately. The Black Rapid or Luma strap is ergonomically friendly and I think I would like it better than what I have now. The solution to not wearing my camera around my neck is the hand grip strap, then I wouldn’t have to worry about the strap getting in the way at all.

OP/TECH USA 3510242 Utility Strap-Sling Connector for FastBlack Rapid RS-Sport Strap – Slimmer Version witheForCity Leather Hand Grip Strap Compatible with Nikon

Now that I’ve gone over my limit, and can see what I consider essential camera gifts for the photographer, what else would you add? I, on purpose, did not add any iPhone accessories, since I don’t own an iPhone, but there are tons of very cool gadgets for iPhones for the casual and serious iPhonetographer. (is that a word?)

I have a 3 Quarter Camera Store on Amazon with all the cool stuff that you may not be able to find in your local “big box store”

More Photography Equipment and Tools