It’s that time of year again – the time when most of us photographers find buddies, loved ones, and co-employees asking us what photo associated gifts we’d like to receive. As a lot as we’d adore to say, “Oh I wouldn’t thoughts a EOS-1D X or a Nikon D700,” the cold, challenging reality is if we don’t want a gift certificate for a hair cut or some thing worse, we’re much better off giving the inquiring gift-giver options beneath $ 20. Here is a excellent list of affordable gift ideas that will put a smile on any photographers face just in time for the holidays!
1. The Nice Clip
A modest, light-weight clip that sticks to your lens cap so you can clip your cap to your pants, shirt, digital camera bag, or wherever you like. I developed The Great Clip since I was sick of keeping my cap in my lint plagued pockets or putting it down on tables and leaving it behind. Get an extra one particular to keep your mobile cellphone, iPad, and pc cords under control considering that it also works wonderful as the worlds smallest cord catcher.
2. Screwz-All
At below one oz and much less than $ ten, this unbelievably compact and sturdy screwdriver set is a no-brainer. It includes a total dimension flat and Philips head screwdriver as nicely as their wee child sisters. If you have in no way discovered oneself on a photo shoot cursing that you didn’t have a screw driver useful, stop pushing your luck and put this on your holiday wish checklist today.
3. Digital camera Cookie Cutters
We know you like cameras, and everyone loves cookies, thank goodness someone has mixed the two and just in time for the holidays! The set consists of a cutter and 3D imprint wand for producing deliciously multi-dimensional cookies in the shapes of three diverse types of cameras: an SLR, Rangefinder, and Rolleiflex design TLR.
four. Battery Holder
Feel Tank Photo cooked up my favorite way to carry batteries to any photo shoot. Their rugged, nylon enclosure holds up to eight AA batteries. Preserve them point up to signify when their charged and point down to assist you remember they’ll need to have a trip to the recharger. These are built solid and are super compact.
5. Gear Tie
This industrial version of the old twist-tie could seem silly at very first. Following all, any common shopper either has a junk drawer complete of twist ties they got for totally free from various electronics, toys, bags of bread, etc. or is often throwing out said twist ties. So why spend for them? These economical doodads are versatile for sure, but they should be held in your hand to be genuinely appreciated. Once you start off wrapping your cables with Gear Ties I doubt you will ever go back to Velcro. Available in many sizes.
six. Gaffers Tape
If you are a photographer and you are not carrying gaffers tape, you are missing out. Gaffers tape is a robust cloth tape with a specific, super-strong adhesive on the sticky side that leaves no residue when you take away the tape. How numerous approaches can you use gaffers tape? It’s endless. Use it for everything from removing lint from your models’ garments, to holding down extension cords to prevent accidental trips, to taping material to walls if you do not have a backdrop stand, and about a million other uses. When not in the mood to lug a full roll of the stuff all around, I wrap a couple of feet close to a pen and throw it in my camera bag so I’m never ever with out the life saving sticky strips.
7. Safety Cone
They come in all sizes and rates, numerous below $ 20. Two is better. Four is very best, but even a single vibrant, orange cone placed by your gear will keep most people away. Grab four and connect them with “Caution” tape and only the most hardened criminals – and the hard of having to pay consideration – will stumble into your gear although you’re out capturing shots.
8. First Assist Kit
Safety is no joke, but it’s one thing most people really don’t think about until finally they’re dangling 300 feet off the ground thanks to a freak accident involving a digital camera strap, a radio tower, and a pumpkin cannon. This kit from Pocket Medic almost certainly will not aid get you safely back to the ground, but it does contain a single of the very best tweezers I’ve ever utilized along with band-aids, drugs for ache and allergy, insect bite and sting relief wipes, and much more all sealed up in a water proof pouch the excellent dimension to slip into a camera bag.
9. Frio
Let’s face it, it is cold out there. Although the Frio cold shoe will not warm your physique, it’ll warm your brain when you comprehend how a lot much better it performs than individuals horrible old cold footwear you employed to use. Produced of a super robust plastic with a metal ¼” 20 thread now you can mount your flashes and a lot more to your tripod and light stands in design.
10. Camera Lens Shot Glass
What much better way to end the list – or a cold winter’s night – than with a shot glass shaped like a digital camera lens? These ceramic miniature replicas of Canon L lenses come three to a set for just $ 18. Teetotaler? No problem. They hold paperclips and other office fodder as effectively as they hold spiked apple cider.
This holiday season support stop the spread of bad reindeer sweaters and stale fruitcakes by giving the ones you adore this handy checklist of inexpensive gifts for photographers. Content holidays everyone!
Want far more? Examine out our preceding post – 15 Must Have Photography Accessories Underneath $ 25*
Zeke Kamm is the finest promoting writer of numerous photography how-to books, a photographer, film maker, father of a hilarious three year old, and inventor of The Good Clip. You can see his products at www.nice-industries.com and read his website about creativity at www.nicephotomag.com.
