The holidays will be here before you know it. Here are some practical (and a few not so practical, but super fun) gift ideas for the beginner photographer, and maybe you’ll find some ideas to add to your wish list, too.
If you are a beginner photographer or you have a friend or loved one who is just getting started, the right camera gear will not only help capture the memories but will guarantee to help look like a pro.
Let me start with the disclaimer that I still consider myself an amateur. I love taking pictures of anything, anywhere. I take thousands of photos (and I delete thousands of photos).
In addition to documenting family travel adventures and kid’s sports, I love the art of photography. I take my camera everywhere every day.
And more important than that…I am the gadget queen; I have tried them all.
Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.
Keep the photography gear safe with these specialty camera bags suited for specific needs and a perfect gift for a beginner photographer.
What do you want in a camera bag? Space. Durability. Comfort. The camera bag needs to have space for a Canon DSLR and a couple of extra lenses (often including a telephoto lens), a laptop, smartphone, wallet, a few fun smartphone accessories. A snack, a tiny pharmacy (kid allergies), a water bottle, and you are ready to go.
The Tenba Backpacks are spacious; with multiple dividers, zipped pockets small and large, a zipped pocket for a laptop. They are weatherproof and have plenty of space for snacks and a water bottle. AND fit perfectly under the seat on the airplane.
Other Types of Camera Bags.
There are multiple types of camera bags. Waist packs, messenger bags, and if you are super serious, the rolling camera bag.
Tenba BYOB Camera Insert
Sometimes photographers want to carry their equipment in a bag that is not designed as a camera bag, such as a backpack, suitcase, or designer handbag. Tenba has designed the BYOB camera inserts to accomplish this task safely and securely.
On to the camera and lenses, the perfect gifts for the beginner photographer.
Canon 80D DSLR ~ I recently replaced my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT for the 80D DSLR. The Digital Rebel XT lasted me for about 12 years. I traveled all over the world with that camera. I documented the first ten years of both of my children with that camera.
Did I miss it? Yep.
But the 80D is impressive. Best Christmas present EVER. And the perfect gift for a beginner photographer.
Canon 50mm Fixed Lens “The Nifty Fifty” ~ Simple, lightweight, inexpensive, and fun to use. Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography.
Canon EF 70-200mm Telephoto Lens ~ Admittedly, I am not that good with this lens yet, but I am improving. For me, it is too heavy to use without a tripod. With the tripod, my results have improved, but it is a work in progress.
And this is on my wish-list. The new Canon Mirrorless R.
Best Gifts for Beginner Photographers Under $25.
Smartphone Lens Kit ~ This lens kit from Amazon includes so many lenses you won’t even need a fancy camera: wide-angle, macro, fisheye, telephoto, Kaleidoscope and starburst. Plus, four color lenses.
Books for beginner photographers.
Selfie Stick with Tripod.
SD cards plus SD card holder with clip-on.
I know it’s a bit frivolous, but how fun would it be to have a tripod mount for your cellphone?
Freehold Universal Mount ~ Secure your grip with the elastic finger loop for some creative angles and shots.
Pocket-sized quick reference cards.
And we all need caffeine, especially while editing.
Mini photography studio anyone?
Best Gifts for Beginner Photographers Under $50.
Joby Freehold Universal Kit ~ Holds your phone securely anywhere you wish to shoot your creative images. And it comes with wrapping legs so you can wrap it to pretty much anything, and even hang it to get that crazy angle shot.
Joby GorillaPod Stand ~ I love this stand that allows me to secure my DSLR to basically any surface and holds devices up to six pounds.
Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack for your precious equipment ~ Never miss a photo-op even on the water.
Everyone needs a little personality and style, and that strap that comes with a new camera is well, boring. The perfect addition to their beginner photography gear, a denim strap that fits any DSLR…simple, yet stylish and comfortable.
Editing is fun but often calls for a glass of wine or a flute of champagne.
Creativity isn’t just for the pros, or the expensive camera equipment. I know this looks professional, but the lens ball is created for beginners, too. And you can use the lens ball with your smartphone camera, too.
Or a lens filter kit.
Best Gifts for Beginner Photographers Under $100
GorillaPod Pro Stand ~ Grip it, wrap it, and stand it. Made for Mirrorless Cameras and other accessories up to six pounds.
GorillaPod Mobile Rig ~ This gadget is a must for YouTubers and Vloggers. The rig adds two arms in addition to the cell phone mount, for a microphone and lighting.
Instantly share your moments on screen with a digital photo frame.
Add more storage with an external hard drive.
The perfect gift for teen photogs is the wireless instant photo printer, which prints photos directly from the smartphone.
Or better yet, a Polaroid camera.
Just for fun: Stocking Stuffers for Beginner Photogs.
6 Pack of Microfiber cleaning clothes. You can use them for your specs and shades, too.
Create photos hands free with a Bluetooth wireless shutter release.
It is time to make your wish list.
Let me help. Print this up, fold it, and sneak it in the novel they are reading, or in their stack of mail. It’s a subtle hint, right?
Oh, and let me know what you would add to this list for beginner photographers.
Those are some valuable tips for items to be included in a camera kit. This will be perfect for not only professional photographers bu also for anybody interested in photography. Thanks for sharing.
I am not a pro, not even close. But, I use all of this stuff and love photography.
Great resource! This would make a great Christmas gift for a photographer.
I agree. Many of these items have been on my Christmas list in the past!
I don’t have much camera equipment yet, but this article is quite helpful for the future. Thanks!
I love taking pictures. It is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. Sometimes, I run off by myself, this is when the tripod and remote come in handy!
I love the idea of a camera backpack instead of the over the shoulder back I currently have. Great suggestions for backpack add-ins too!
Thank you. I have tried several different bags and prefer the backpack. I have better use of both hands!
Very useful tips. I will definitely consider getting some of them.
Thank you. They are all so useful if you love to take lots of photographs.
I am a photographer, and this is the most all-inclusive list I have ever seen! Bravo!
WOW!! Thank you for this compliment. I am super happy to hear that you approve. I am not a pro, but love to take tons of pictures of everything. So, I have lots of stuff to carry around!
Great list!
Thank you.
Very useful tips. I am a traveler and I will definitely consider these tips. Thanks.
Thank you. You have stunning pictures on all of your travels, by the way.
This is a comprehensive article on cameras, really informative post with full details on cameras. I believe this will be of great help to many travelers out there. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John, for this compliment.
I currently have a shoulder bag and would love to switch it for a backpack, great idea!
I have used the shoulder bag, the waist pack and even a little camera bag. The backpack is by far the best for me. Tons of space and my hands are free!
Very good tips, thanks for sharing
Great items to have. My wife has a camera and likes to take photos out and about. I’ll share this with her, I’m sure she’ll love it!
Please do, and this list is great for gift ideas for us photogs!
I don’t have much camera gear, but now I’m considering getting more. This is a very detailed and useful list. A lot of travelers will benefit from this post. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. It is a fun hobby to have, I love it.
Definitely, need to up my camera game. Thanks for the tips!
Haha! Me, too. I keep trying.
Hey Jenny, this is really a comprehensive list of camera backpack. Travelling is incomplete without camera. I have started photography only after starting my blog. And will definitely consider buying these. Thanks Jenny for a detailed post.
I have always taken tons of pictures. But, really much more into it now with the blog. I’ve even taken some classes that have helped. I love it, it has become one of my favorite hobbies!
Great info!
Thank you for sharing your round up of camera essentials! I have bookmarked this for when I start adding to my tech closet! 🙂
It is some really fun stuff!
My hubby and I are not professional photographers, but we love to take a lot of photos to document our travels. We got the Canon 80D a few months ago as our “early” Christmas gift. We still use our cell phones when we are too lazy to bring our camera. Anyway, love that you shared the different items in your camera backpack. We got some ideas on what we need to purchase next. Right now, I really want to get a 50mm lens for Christmas. LOL:)
You will be in love with this lens. It is special. It does not zoom, so you really have to be there in the moment. And it takes really cool portrait and food pictures. You will love it.
I love all of these things and have most of them!
I may be obsessed with camera gadgets, but I am ok with that!
I am not that techy so I need all the help I can get! LOL This is a great list to keep handy especially when ready to purchase.
I need all of the help that I can get, too. I’m an amateur, for sure. But, I love it.
This looks like a comprehensive gear list for any photographer. Thanks for the suggestions as I am in the market for some new gear.
I have it all, my camera gadgets! I am not a pro, but it is so much fun.
I’m not nearly as advanced as you but I’m planning a trip to Disney World and I’m trying to decide what to bring because I want to take lots of great pictures so this article was really helpful. Thanks!
I’m happy that you found it helpful. I love all of these gadgets and keep them with me when I travel. Have fun at Disney!
I’ve been starting to look for a tripod for our trip to Hawaii- thanks for the suggestion!
This one is easily transportable for sure. I don’t always take it, but often wish that I did.
This is a really great comprehensive post. Although, i think the puppy should be included! The addition of cellphone camera add ons is really helpful for someone like me who mostly uses their phone.
I agree with the puppy, he is really cute!
Great list. I mostly use my cell phone and just recently added a very nice selfie stick.
There are so many fun gadgets that I bring for my cell phone. But, I love the big camera!
These are some geeat travel packing ideas.
Great post so happy to have found it. I need a new camera bag and I like the idea of a backpack with everything I need and NOT to carry a purse too. Happy Day, Kippi #kippiathome
This is the best camera bag that I have ever used. I love it!
Wow!! I’m somewhat new to photography and never knew that a camera bag could be so versatile! I would have never thought to put sunscreen in there. It makes it so much easier to carry around one bag rather than two!
Exactly. There is a spot in this backpack for almost anything. If I leave my telephoto behind, I have even more space for snacks!
Never thought of a back pack for my camera!! Awesome post!!!
It is the best. With the back pack, your hands are free!
Really cute pup! 😀
For me, I prefer the backpack type of camera bags as I’m most comfortable with it. Furthermore, This is a really good tip/review for amateurs like me. Thank you!
All of these ideas are just great. I want to better my photography and will take these tips into consideration for sure