This updated 2023 Holiday Gift Guide is my modern-day take on gifts for the fashion-friendly folks looking to embrace photography in their everyday lives.
10 Camera-Themed Gifts for Photo Fans
From photography apps to books and, naturally, cameras, I’ve included some of the coolest things I’ve discovered this year that relate to photography. Have a suggestion or tip? Be sure to leave it in the comments!
1. Mobile Photo Printing
I discovered this photo app a few months ago and tried it out by printing a few fake polaroids. The app is really easy to use and the quality of the photos (glossy, square format) are really nice. You can print messages on them and have them delivered as gifts, but I’ve kept my prints for myself to hang on my wall.
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2. Wearable Cameras
Guys, this camera seems like it is so, so cool! Essentially you clip it on or wear it, then you go out explorin’ & adventurin’ and it’ll automatically take photos throughout the day. There are sensors & such to keep it from sharing too much, but it looks to be an awesome way to capture a trip.
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3. Lens-Style Cameras
SONY QX10
Buy it: From $248 | More info | Review
This camera is great for street-style photographers looking to take covert photos and share them wirelessly. It’s addictive to use and a lot of fun to play with if you sync it up to your mobile phone. Picture quality is good and it’ll definitely make your friends jealous. I use this new camera myself because it’s small, lightweight and user-friendly.
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4. Photography How-To Books
I received one of these books as a birthday gift & I’ve enjoyed flipping through it, using it as a photography guide to enhance skills. They’re simple, but that works perfectly for people like myself who are often easily distracted. After reading, I just want to get out and shoot more photos!
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5. Stylish Camera Bags
The absolute worst part about carrying around a digital SLR camera is having to deal with packing. Thankfully I discovered these beautiful camera bags which don’t look so obvious and still maintain the sense of style I want to keep when traveling.
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6. A Better Phone Plan
iPHONE from AT&T
If there’s a camera I use more than any other, it’s without a doubt my iPhone. I travel with my iPhone4, but the newest models are definitely on my wish list. The camera quality on the iPhone is one of the best and it only keeps getting better. Also: it’s probably my favorite camera.
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7. Vintage Cameras
POLAROID
Buy it: From $119 / (or buy used) | More info
I’ve got a few old Polaroid cameras and they’re probably the most fun cameras I’ve got. The film can be expensive, though, so I rarely travel with them. Instead I keep it around my house and take it out for parties. You can find old Polaroids in most flea markets these days, but as time goes on, they’re getting more and more expensive. Buy sooner rather than later!
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8. Coffee Table Photography Books
HUMANS OF NEW YORK
Buy it: From $17.99 | More info
Since my interest in photography has grown, so has my interest in photo blogs. If you’re not familiar with this blog, get on it! Brandon’s photos come with strangers’ stories. It’s a beautiful glimpse into daily NY life and the book does a great job of capturing that same essence from the blog.
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9. Mirrorless Cameras
OLYMPUS PEN
Buy it: From $399 | More info
Last month in London I had the chance to hang out with fashion photographer Jay McLaughlin at an Olympus event. He kindly xplained why he shoots with Olympus cameras and then I had the chance to play with the entire collection. My favorite was the retro-looking Olympus PEN E-P5 which looks like an old film camera but actually takes beautiful digital shots. This is the camera on my list for Santa!
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10. Hipster Photography T-shirts
I’m a sucker for cool t-shirts and the California design agency Kneadle never disappoints (you might remember my Httpster t-shirt from last year). One of their new designs, Once is a Mistake, Twice is a Style, made me think of the way I’m treating photography this year. It’s important to experiment, to break the rules and to have fun while doing it. Now I can look good while photographing, too.
JOINED! This sony qx thing looks cute!
Yeah it’s a fun little camera! I’m excited to give away two of them :)
Nice list! Some of the stuff on here I’ve never heard of before (including the Sony lens camera!). I can definitely vouch for the Olympus PEN series, though. I’ve been shooting with one for nearly two years (albeit two different models in that time), and I have been really, really happy with the results.
Awesome to hear that I’ve suggested some things you haven’t heard of before, Amanda! These holiday lists can be a bit boring unless you recommend something original. Also – the Olympus PEN series really are beautiful cameras. I love that they’ve got the retro/vintage look, but that they’re so modern as well. There were some really neat features I hadn’t seen before on a digital camera.
Great list! I’ve been wanting to try out that Sony QX10!
I’ve been playing with it all week and it’s so much fun! It’s kind of cool to just take photos without knowing what the photos are until later.
Nice guide Adam, so many things I want!
Thank you for sharing this great post. I really enjoyed reading it; it’s very informative. keep up the great work!
Great post- Have never heard of some of these products and I’m about to go further investigate some of them! thanks for this! The giveaway camera looks awesome! About to enter!
Glad to hear it Jessica! I was trying to find more cool things to put on the list.
Adam, One of my 2014 goals is to take better photos and make better videos. Thanks for the great information!
Lisa
It’s one of my goals too! I’m working on improving my photography and hopefully some of these will be really helpful for you as well!
What a great list – I can think of many things I’d want, too! LOL!
I just wanted to say thank you for this wonderful giveaway! Happy holidays!
Awww, my pleasure Jenn! I’m just happy to be able to share these kinds of things with fans & readers :)
What awesome gifts! Makes me want to dive into photography a bit more. I love the lens-style camera and the camera bag. Awesome!!
Yup – photography is a big part of my 2014 goals. I’m far from an expert and I was hoping to cover the full-range of options for every type of photographer! Plus it’s such a big part of all of our lives these days – photography has never been easier!
Great list! I’m also in need of a new iPhone. Love how small the Sony QX 10 is.
So many great ideas! I knew I forgot to add something (an ONA bag) to my list!
Hey Adam, there are some really cool gift ideas here. I’m really curious how the QX10 performs.
I’m always game to try out a new camera! Love that photographer man bag, too.
The Sony lens camera looks sweet! Thanks for offering such great give-aways!
Hey Adam…top ideas as usual!!..^_^ hoping to win it and be the lucky one..so i can write a post on it :) otherwise …keep on having fun my friend LOL
What a great guide — including the vintage Polaroid. Be fun to have one. Thanks for the flea market tip.
LOVE the Humans of New York book!! I’m a little late with the contest, but the ideas are still worth sharing!! Thanks!
I would add the LG Photo Pocket: http://www.amazon.com/LG-Pocket-Printer-Android-Smartphone/dp/B00BQ6MAFK.
If you travel in areas where its quite impossible to print some photos are where you meet many children, I think its perfect to give them an instant photo!
awww shoot, I’m too late. But still some great ideas! I actually just gifted myself a photography course for Christmas. Can’t wait to start! :) Now, I need that bag…
[…] And check out my other favorite gifts for photographers here. […]
I wish I can have one too! It’s great for travelers. Thanks for sharing!
I know, I know,it’s way after Christmas already, but I just wanted to say I’m happy that you’ve included that camera bag.
I now use a plain point-and-shoot camera and the main reason for that is that those DSLR’s are much bulkier and you often can’t put them safely in a nice looking bag.
Now you’ve proven that you can!
Haha, no worries Sofie. And yep, I always struggled to find a nice camera bag myself. I don’t always travel with my DSLR these days but when I do, I want to do it in style!
Este es un tema que es que es cerca de mi corazón …
Cuide ! Exactamente donde son sus datos de contacto ,
aunque?
Thanks for finally writing about > Ultimate Holiday Gift
Guide for Photography Lovers < Loved it!