Gifts for Photographers (Without Guessing Their Camera System)
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 19 hand-picked ideas
Photographers are surrounded by gear that only fits their own camera. Lenses, batteries, chargers, filters and even memory cards are specific to the body they shoot with, and a well-meant gift for the wrong system is a hassle to return. That's why so many people end up giving a photographer a mug shaped like a lens.
You can do much better than that. This guide starts with gifts that work no matter what camera they carry, then explains, briefly, why you should leave lenses and bodies alone unless you know exactly what to buy. After that come books and tools for the photographer who's still learning, supplies for the film crowd, a few ways to keep their photos safe once they're off the card, and two pieces of kit for landscape days.
If they mostly point their lens at birds or the night sky, gifts for bird watchers and gifts for stargazers cover the specialist side. For a photographer who also paints or draws, see gifts for artists.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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Three safe bets
Gifts that work with any camera
These don't depend on the brand of camera or lens, so you can buy them without peeking in their bag. They're the everyday accessories that make carrying and caring for a camera easier, and most photographers either don't own a good version or would welcome a spare.
- 1
Quick-Release Camera Shoulder Strap
~$50
The strap that comes in the camera box is usually narrow, stiff and printed with a big logo. A padded sling strap with quick-release anchors is far more comfortable on a long day and unclips in a second when the camera goes on a tripod. It's one of the most appreciated upgrades for any photographer who walks around with their camera rather than leaving it in the bag.
- 2
Camera Sensor and Lens Cleaning Bundle
~$28
A rocket blower, microfiber cloths and lens tissue, which is the kit most photographers use weekly. The blower is the safe tool for dust on a sensor; anything that touches the sensor directly is best left to people who've done it before. A useful, modest gift for someone whose current cleaning method is the hem of their shirt.
- 3
Camera Rain Cover
~$20
A clear waterproof sleeve that goes over the camera and lens so they can keep shooting in drizzle, sea spray or snow. Many cameras are weather-sealed only up to a point, and the lens join is a weak spot. It's cheap insurance for anyone who photographs sports, wildlife or landscapes in changeable weather.
- 4
Memory Card Holder Case
~$12
A small hard case with slots for SD and microSD cards. Photographers who juggle several cards on a trip or a shoot use it to keep full cards and empty ones apart, which matters a lot when a card holds an entire wedding. It makes a good stocking stuffer.
- 5
Camera Sling Bag
~$50
A padded crossbody bag that holds a camera and a lens or two, and swings round to the front without coming off. It's better for city walks and travel than a backpack, which has to come off every time they want to shoot. Check roughly how big their camera is; a large body with a long lens needs more room than a compact.
Why you shouldn't buy the lens
Every camera brand uses its own lens mount, and often more than one. A Canon lens won't fit a Sony camera, a Nikon lens built for their mirrorless cameras won't fit an older Nikon DSLR, and Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds systems have their own fittings again. Adapters exist, but they're the photographer's call, not a gift. Batteries and chargers are just as specific: they're made for particular camera models, and third-party batteries vary in quality.
Even filters, which look universal, come in different thread sizes. The size in millimeters is printed on the front of the lens or inside the lens cap, and it varies from lens to lens. If you're determined to buy something system-specific, find out the exact camera and lens model, or better yet, ask what's on their wish list. Most photographers keep one, and many would love help funding a lens they've been saving for.
For the photographer who's still learning
There's a stage where someone has a good camera and still shoots mostly on auto, or knows the settings but feels their pictures look like everyone else's. These gifts help with both, and none of them depend on the gear they own.
- Our favorite6
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
~$25
The classic book for getting off auto mode. Peterson explains aperture, shutter speed and ISO in plain language, with example photos showing what each choice does. It works for any camera that lets you set those things manually, which is nearly all of them, and it's often the book experienced photographers say they wish they'd read first. Ideal for someone who got a camera in the last year or two.
- 7
The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman
~$25
Once the technical side clicks, composition is the next hurdle. Freeman's book breaks down how framing, balance, lines and light shape a picture, with lots of examples. It suits someone who already understands their settings and wants their photos to look more deliberate, and it's a lovely book to page through for ideas.
- 8
Photography Composition and Lighting Prompt Cards
~$18
A deck of short assignments, each focused on one idea: shadows, reflections, a single color, a frame within a frame. It's a cheap, playful way out of a creative rut, and it works whether they shoot with a camera or a phone. Good for weekend walks and photo outings with friends.
- 9
Photography Reflector Disc with Carrying Sleeve
~$32
A folding disc that bounces daylight back into a face to soften shadows. It's the cheapest lighting tool there is and makes an obvious difference to portraits. Best for someone who photographs people, especially family, friends or the occasional paid portrait session.
For the film shooter
Film has had a big revival, and with it, film prices have climbed. Anyone shooting a 35mm camera will be glad of supplies and the tools to bring their negatives into the digital world.
- 10~$50
35mm Color Negative Film Multipack
A few rolls of color film. Many film shooters ration rolls now, so this gets loaded straight into the camera. Check they shoot 35mm, not medium format.
Photographersconsumable - 11~$95
Portable 35mm Film Negative Scanner
Turns negatives into digital files at home. Quality is fine for sharing online, though serious film photographers may prefer a lab scan for prints.
PhotographersTech Loverssentimental - 12~$35
Photo Negative and Slide Storage Binder
Archival sleeves that keep negatives flat, dust-free and organized by roll. A practical gift once the shoebox of negative strips starts to grow.
PhotographersHistory Buffssentimental - 13~$20
35mm Disposable Film Camera
Not for the film shooter's own use, but a fun extra to hand to friends at a party or wedding. They'll enjoy seeing everyone else's shots.
Photographersfun
Getting photos off the memory card
Photographers fill memory cards fast, and their biggest fear is losing pictures that only exist in one place. Backup isn't glamorous, but a photographer who has ever had a card fail will be very glad of these.
- 14
Portable SSD with Rugged Photo Backup Case
~$89
A small solid-state drive for copying photos off the card at the end of a day, especially while traveling. It's much faster and tougher than an old spinning hard drive, and the case protects it in a bag. A great gift for someone who shoots a lot and still keeps everything on their laptop.
- 15
High-Speed SD Memory Card 2-Pack
~$40
Photographers always want another card, and a fast one keeps the camera from stalling during bursts of sports or wildlife shots and records high-resolution video without hiccups. Only buy these once you've confirmed their camera uses SD; that's the most common format, but not the only one.
- 16
Portable Photo Editing Control Dial for Laptop
~$79
A small dial with programmable buttons that controls exposure, contrast and other sliders in editing software, so they're not dragging a trackpad for every adjustment. It's for the photographer who spends evenings editing and finds it tedious. Check it supports the editing program they use.
- 17
Archival Photo Storage Box Set
~$35
Acid-free boxes for the prints they've made and don't want to fade or yellow. A good companion for someone who has started printing their favorite shots, and a quiet nudge to print more of them rather than leaving everything on a drive.
For landscape days
Two pieces of kit for the photographer who likes sunrises, waterfalls and long drives to scenic overlooks.
18.Landscape Photography Neutral Density Filter Set ~$70
Dark glass filters that allow slow shutter speeds in daylight, for silky waterfalls and balanced skies. Match the filter size or adapter ring to their lens thread.
19.Compact Travel Tripod ~$40
Light enough to bring on hikes and trips. Fine for small cameras and phones; a heavy camera with a long lens needs something sturdier.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
Know this before you shop
Find out the camera brand and model before buying anything that attaches to it. Lenses, batteries, chargers and many accessories are system-specific.
Filters are sized by lens thread in millimeters, and different lenses use different sizes. The number is printed on the lens itself.
If they shoot film, check the format. Most hobby film cameras use 35mm, but medium format uses wider 120 film.
Books, straps, bags and cleaning kits are safe when you don't know their setup. So are prints: offering to have a favorite shot printed and framed is a gift almost every photographer loves.
For more ideas, tell our gift finder what and where they like to photograph.
Common questions about photographer gifts
What's a good gift for a photographer who has everything?
Something that helps them use their photos, not just take them: a portable SSD for backups, archival storage for prints, or a professional print and frame of a picture they're proud of. A composition book or prompt deck also works for experienced photographers in a rut.
Can I buy a lens as a gift?
Only if you know their exact camera and the specific lens they want. Lens mounts differ between brands and even between camera lines from the same brand. A contribution toward a lens on their wish list is usually the better approach.
What are good cheap gifts for photographers?
A memory card case, a rain cover, prompt cards, a reflector, a cleaning kit or a copy of Understanding Exposure all cost around $30 or less.
What do you get someone who shoots film?
Film itself is the most welcome gift, since prices have risen. Beyond that, an archival negative binder, a home negative scanner or a gift card for a local lab that develops and scans film are all useful.