With so much gear to choose from, it’s not easy for the non-photographer or beginning photographer to know where to start. And as hard as it is for the non-photographer, it’s even harder for the person buying them a holiday gift. So, to make this holiday chore more fun, we’ve compiled 10 photographic items that should be as joyful to give as to receive.
1. Warm Photo Gloves
When snowflakes fall and temperatures plunge, keep your hands nice and toasty with a pair of photography gloves. Waterproof and windproof, the black Freehands Men's Stretch Thinsulate Gloves feature a silicone gripped palm and magnetic finger tips that make getting those cold weather snaps enjoyable. These gloves come in men’s and women’s sizes. And if you love peppermint candy canes, then the red and white striped, wool-acrylic, pink Freehands Women's Stripe Wool Knit Gloves will definitely make your holiday heart skip a beat.
2. Instant Camera
Raise your holiday gift card game with a red, yellow, black, blue, white, or gold Fujifilm instax mini 70 Instant Film Camera. Instax cameras are so cool that you may be tempted to buy one to give and one to receive. And with a built-in flash, instant prints, and a host of great features—who could blame you?
3. Display and Preserve
Store and display your instax prints with Fujifilm Mini Series Wallet Albums, available in a rainbow of beautiful color choices.
4. Handy Tripod
The picture-perfect time for family photos is when everyone is gathered together in one place for the holidays. With a green MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Air Travel Tripod and your camera set to self-timer, you can make sure that you’re included in family group photos, too. The GlobeTrotter tripod comes in many colors, features a 17.6 lb load capacity, 68.1" max height, folded length of 16.7", weight of only 3.2 lb, and even has a built-in selfie stick and carrying case.
5. Waterproof Video Cameras
People heading to warmer climes by the sea will appreciate an easy-to-use, waterproof video camcorder to record holiday memories. One choice is the yellow Kodak PIXPRO SPZ1 Waterproof Digital Camcorder, which features 1080p video, 14-megapixel stills, 3x optical zoom, 360-degree panoramas, and a 16.4' waterproof rating. All you need to get started is a SanDisk 32GB Ultra UHS-I microSDHC Memory Card and some holiday cheer.
6. Photo Vests
Just because someone is a beginning photographer is no reason they can’t look like a pro. Therefore, why not consider an attractive photo vest or a jacket? One model that’s sure to appeal to the adventurer in you is the black or khaki Humvee by CampCo Safari Photo Vest. This 100-percent cotton vest has a webbed back and is available in most sizes. Best of all, with 21 pockets, there’s a place for a huge assortment of photo and non-photo items.
7. Cool Camera Straps
For the fashion-conscious photographer, there’s the fab Capturing Couture collection of camera straps, bags and accessories. The liberty patterned Capturing Couture Scarf Camera Strap serves double-duty as a neck warmer and strap. This decorative strap is 27" long, and has velvet end detailing.
8. A Camera Bag
Complement your scarf camera strap with an equally festive Capturing Couture Longrock Fiesta Camera Bag that can hold up to 2 DSLRs, lenses and related accessories.
9. Smartphone Accessories
Whether at holidays or just about any day of the year, photographers and non-photographers alike can be seen shooting with their smartphones. Expand their creative options with a few mobile add-on lenses and filters. Users of select iPhones will enjoy the red and black olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens that features fisheye, wide-angle, and macro lenses. Another good choice is the blue Mobi-Lens Wide+Macro Lens that clips onto the front and back of most devices and provides macro and close-up focusing capabilities.
10. Photo Apparel
A happy photographer begins with happy feet. To keep those feet warm and comfy, be sure to get a few pairs of socks and related apparel. Let the world know you love photography with a red and white or black and white, 100-percent combed cotton Leica Lens T-Shirt.
B&H hopes this list of suggestions for the non-photographer serves as a good starting point for this season’s gift list. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with your fellow gift givers in the Comments section, below. We’d love to hear your ideas!