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Since nobody needs another camera lens coffee mug, here’s a practical and affordable holiday gift guide for MOST of the photographers in your life.
Happy Holidays, y’all.
For the photographer who eschews technology and has no idea how many megapixels their camera has or how to use settings other than “M.”
One can never have too many notebooks. I prefer a dot graph over a ruled page, but that’s because while I like some structure, I also don’t like being constrained. I like both Field Notes and Moleskine brands, and regardless, pocket-sized is the way to go, so you can always have one handy for all those great ideas.
I watched The Colour of Ink documentary and immediately bought a fountain pen. Lamy offers the perfect starter pen and a good gateway pen into this world. The fun part is trying out new inks and finding colors1 to suit any mood or occasion. I found a cool, and quasi-local, Pennsylvania company that I can’t wait to try next.
Tired of numerous distractions from the thing on my wrist meant to tell time, I recently treated myself to a Timex Weekender watch. It looks classic and it does one thing exceptionally well. I also got it on eBay for about half the retail price.
For the photographer who only wears photo workshop swag:
Bill Sawalich’s (self-titled) poorly drawn Leica camera T-shirt is a fun upgrade.
For those who got started in photography by photographing skateboarding:
This Polaroid x Thrasher edition is fun.
For the photographer who LOVES bags:
Think Tank2 makes some of the best camera and laptop bags out there because they’re designed by photographers for photographers. I have MANY. I have an older version of the Airport Roller that’s my workhorse. I have a massive Production Manager for all my lights and grip. I have their belt system and even helped product test a hip pack last year. The Retrospective 5 is my favorite little bag, perfect for batteries, cards, a flash, and a notebook. And I recently got a new backpack from them, in Rust Orange, because it is such a good-looking bag.
Last year, when I was a daily bicycle commuter, I got a Chome Urban Ex Pack after one particularly rainy ride that soaked everything in an inferior bag. The waterproof Chrome bag holds a MacBook, a change of clothes, U-lock, and more. I do not regret it. This is one of my favorite non-camera bag bags.
For the photobook lover:
Baltimore Photo Space has a well-curated selection of new photobooks, and I use BookFinder.com for finding rare and out-of-print books. And if you want the gift that keeps on giving, there’s Charcoal Book Club’s Photobook of the Month Club.
For the photographer who can also read:
Support your local booksellers, or at the very least order something from Bookshop.org so a percentage goes to a local shop. Gift certificates are always nice. But so is something personal. Start here. Or, perhaps, something tastier?
You can also get them a subscription to their favorite Substack or a plus account for the best non-Amazon(y), non-Goodreads substitute The Storygraph.
For the photographer you’d like to see making pictures for another 20 years:
Speaking as someone who knows about lower back pain from years of carrying gear, I can’t say enough good things about shoe inserts or orthotics, Aleve, and an ice pack. Throw in some bath bombs and a pack of gummies, and this would make an excellent themed stocking stuffer.
For the photographer who already has everything:
Make a donation in their name to a good cause, and support something they believe in, whether that’s animal welfare and rescue, protecting the environment, or local organizations doing good work in their backyards. All are worthy causes.
And with all the funding cuts to the arts by the federal govt. this year, support a local radio or PBS station. A subscription to a local paper would also be nice.
I’m currently using a great green ink from Tom’s Studio - 07 Mallard - that I found at an art supply store in DC near my old office. It was a frequent lunch break spot for me.
If you buy anything from ThinkTank, ever, feel free to put in this special code number in the Affiliate Box in the shopping cart for free gear with orders over $50 — 165017.b7096
Oh my gosh. This is the first time I’ve been included in anything. Thank you!