As we gear up for the biggest shopping season of the year, we’re presenting our favorite gifts for photographers this holiday season. Thanks to B&H Photo, Mylio Photos, Radiant Photo, MPB, Lumecube, Platypod and Tamron, the sponsors of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.
Need more gift ideas, and want to see all the latest holiday deals? Check out our Holiday Shopping Guide!
Below are a few of our favorites that are valued under $250. These are great gifts for the photographer in your life!
Mylio Photos
Recommended by Photofocus Team | $99/year ($9.99/month); available via Mylio Photos
This is a recent find for us. Mylio makes backing up your photos simple … and using the cloud is optional. Just add a vault hard drive, then start connecting all your computers, phones and tablets. Now, all your images are backed up and you can sync between devices. Want to clean up a shoot, and metadata and ratings, or even pick your best shots on the go? It’s easy, and everything stays in perfect sync.
Radiant Photo
Recommended by Ken Lee | Read Review | from $143.00; available via Radiant Photo
When you open an image, Radiant Photo analyzes each image and suggests edits that it feels is best for each photo. Rather than applying presets, it attempts to bring out color, detail, and light in each photo. These aren’t presets. Each photo is analyzed. For similar photos, you of course can use their presets. Or yours. Whatever the case, the results are so often beautiful.
Zhiyun Fiveray V60 light wand
Recommended by Jemma Pollari | Read Review | $249.00; available via B&H
Zhiyun Fiveray V60 light wand is an easy-to-use light that delivers stunning results. Light wands can be used for videography or photography and the Fiveray V60 is no exception. It’s a powerful light with full color temperature and brightness control, as well as a range of special effect modes for video or light painting. Photographers who work with people, in a studio (or mobile studio) and with food, macro or night photography will find this a valuable addition to their kit. It’s got a solid battery life and can be powered with the included adapter or a USB-C cord. It’s a well-built light best used with a tripod or lighting stand (or an assistant). Check out some of my tests here. It’s an excellent first choice for photographers ready to start exploring off-camera lighting. Established photographers will find plenty of problems this light will help solve, too.
Lume Cube RGB Tube Light Mini
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $149.00; available via Lumecube
It’s a spectacular RGB light from Lume Cube. Highly recommend it, especially the twin pack. The RGB tube light mini is the right size to use on my table. It’s easy to adjust the brightness and colors with the app.
Nik Collection 6
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $149.00; available via Nik Collection DXO
Nik Collection by DxO, a powerful suite of photo editing plugins, has recently unveiled its latest update, packed with exciting new features and enhancements. With a rich legacy of delivering exceptional creative possibilities to photographers and enthusiasts, the Nik Collection continues to evolve, empowering users to elevate their image editing capabilities to new heights. Let’s explore some of the highlights of the latest version and how it can revolutionize your editing workflow.
Peak Design 15L Everyday Tote
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $245.00; available via Peak Design
I really wanted to love this tote. It’s comfortable, stylish and holds plenty. But I think perhaps it’s a little too deep and the top opening is not wide enough for easy access. If the camera bag contents were more accessible, and the pockets in the computer compartment were less restrictive, this would be the perfect everyday photography tote. However, I do love the compartments and magnetic closures.
The Lume Cube Edge Light 2-Pack
Recommended by Pam DeCamp | Read Review | $380.00; available via LumeCube
The Lume Cube Edge Light 2-Pack for glare prevention is a great way to add light to your workspace without sacrificing desk space. The lights are physically adjustable as well as light intensity and temperature adjustable. They come equipped with a USB-A and a USB-C charging port.
The Lume Cube Edge Light 2-Pack provides lighting for video conferencing without added glare.
For me, the 2-pack was a nice addition to my photography office space. My room has no windows and is dark. The Edge Light gave me the light I needed to reduce eye strain while I edit photos.
Polaroid Go Gen 2 Instant Camera + Film Bundle (White)
Recommended by Joy Celine Asto | $119.99 Available via Amazon
Instant photography has always been a fun way to experiment with photography and get creative with your everyday snaps. Looking for an instant camera that is pocketable enough to take anywhere? The Polaroid Go Instant Camera is the smallest instant camera in the world but packed with tons of fun features. Small film, big energy!
Altura Photo Professional Camera Cleaning Kit
Recommended by Joy Celine Asto | $149.99 Available via Amazon
One of the accessories that never goes missing in every photographer or creator’s tool kit is a camera cleaning kit. This versatile kit is designed for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and can be used for sensor cleaning as well. It includes everything you need to clean your camera of dust, specks and smudges. All the tools are housed in a hard shell carrying case, so you can easily take them with you wherever you go.
