Gift Ideas for the Photographer in Your Life
Once again, the time of year is approaching when people seem to lose their minds. No…I’m not talking about the US elections…although it would seem to fit the description very well indeed. No…the time of year I am talking about is Christmas. People tend to go a little nuts when this season approaches. Trying to find the right gift for that special someone can be daunting and leave some people in a puddle of nerves, twitching from the overload of the Christmas shopping season.
Buying gifts for shutterbugs can be especially difficult. Invariably, if one purchases a piece of photo equipment, it isn’t exactly what they were looking or hoping for. Not to mention the costly price tags that tend to accompany so many of the gadgets and gizmos that photo-nerds go wild about. Since most photo enthusiast are more than willing to give you a list of the items they want or need, it would seem the task should be an easy one to complete. However, if you have ever actually tried to accomplish said task, then you know that simple is about as far from an accurate description as the east is from the west.
Hopefully, the following list will help you in your holiday shopping, keep the costs to a reasonable level and leave you with a few less frazzled nerves and maybe even avoid an unnecessary trip to the therapist’s office.
For The ‘Well Dressed’ Shutterbug
Cufflinks dropped out of fashion for a time, but with the resurgence of all things past (i.e. Retro) styling becoming more of a fad, cufflinks seem to be experiencing a rebound in popularity. One great gift idea for the photographer in your life that will likely be a safe bet are photo themed cufflinks like these. The mode dial cufflink has been modeled from the dial found on most cameras. Chances are the photo junkie you love will easily recognize and appreciate these cufflinks showcasing the modes found on most DSLR’s. Settings for landscape, portrait, auto, manual, macro, sports/action and many more.
Prints (and more!) for the Photographer
If the photo-pro in your family is anything like the average photographer these days, then he or she likely has tons of shots on the computer but very few prints. A great idea is to get him or her a print of one of their favorite shots. I’m not talking about your average 5 x 7 or even an 8 x 10, but rather a large print or an extraordinary item like the following ideas. A large canvas print is a great idea. The expense is manageable and not as much as you might think. A standard canvas sized print is typically 12 x 16 and can be purchased for around $45. Here is a site that might inspire you with their prices and options.
Canvas prints are great, but many photographers like things that remind them of their work more than when the walk past the right wall in the house. However, a printed coffee mug might be just the right thing. Whether it is an image they love or their company logo, a customized coffee mug might be just the gift you have been looking for all these years. There are tons of sites on the internet as well as pharmacies and big box mega stores photo centers that will be able to help you achieve this gift idea with ease.
Funny Foto Gear
Since most photographers these days choose either Nikon or Cannon (most…not all!) it might be a great idea to find him or her something that can be used every day that puts a smile on the face. We just talked about customized coffee mugs, but this one is totally different. For around $40, you can purchase a coffee mug that looks like a popular Nikon or Canon lens! These lens mugs are so well done that many people cannot tell the difference between the mug and the real deal. If you care to have a look, here is a great place to start.
Another fun idea is an F-Stop Watch. It is a great idea, especially because most people that know photographers well, will attest to the fact that photographers spend hours messing with their gear, editing photos, and reading online for new tips, tricks, and techniques. If you buy him or her this kind of watch, there should be no more excuses for being late to dinner or hearing once again that, “Time just got away from me dear.”
If all else fails, this site should have something that you can buy that special photo-nut in your life. Tons of tees, mugs, bibs, bags, buttons, stickers, and more with photo related humor, info, and art.
Not everything has to be about photography for photographers, but if it were, most would be alright with it. So take the time to do a little research and let your fingers crawl the web to help you find the perfect photo related gift. Hopefully, this has helped point you in the right direction and shed some much needed light on a subject that many find infuriating. However, most photographers will tell you that all of this is easily understood to them and didn’t need any light shed on the subject at all…After all… “Photographers do it in the dark!”
There are 2 comments on this post.
Trackback URL | Comments RSS FeedWow those lens cups… Do they still cost extra if you want the red ring around it?
Ryuji » Yes they do