I canāt believe itās already here - itās Gift Guide time! The holidays are swiftly approaching (help!) and I donāt know about you, but I always have a seriously difficult time trying to figure out what to buy everyone in my life. But there is one thing I do know, and thatās what I would love to have gifted to me as a photographer. So, Iām hoping that imparting some of my wisdom in the photography world will help you make the perfect gift choice for the photography lover in your life! All of these gift ideas are meant for photographers but can definitely apply to videographers and artists alike. Just because they consider themselves to belong in one specific category of art doesnāt mean they couldnāt use the creative tools on this list to enhance their artwork. So, without further ado, here are 15 Unique Gifts for Photographers in 2026!
(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)
1. HOLGA GCFN OR DIANA F+
I will always put a Holga or a Diana F+ in a gift guide, because I think a toy camera is a perfect way to challenge the artist in your life in a cute and creative way. These cameras are funky, adorable, affordable, colorful and so much fun to use. They usually range from about $40-70 depending on which model you buy, but I always recommend the Holga GCFN. Just remember to pick up some 120 film to go with it! I recommend Kodak Portra 400 or Kodak Gold 200 to start with. :) I have a full blog post all about the Holga GCFN here or the Diana F+ here if you want to read more about them! There is also a cute little 35 mm Holga BC camera if you know the photographer in your life prefers 35 mm. I have a full video and blog post about this camera too if youād like to find out more!
WHERE TO BUY
HOLGA GCFN ON AMAZOn
HOLGA GCFN ON B&H PHOTO
DIANA F+ ON AMAZON
2. HANDMADE CAMERA STRAP (ETSY)
There was one Christmas when my mom bought me a handmade camera strap with cats on it, and it has become my all-time favorite strap. I keep it on my Nikon FE2 camera and it just makes me smile every time I pick up my camera. Itās also just a great idea to support an artist on Etsy by buying one of their handmade camera straps like this one. Think of something your photographer friend likes, whether itās cats, dogs, avocados, etc, and see if you can find one on Etsy! If youāre looking for something a little more fancy, you can find personalized leather camera straps on Etsy too.
WHERE TO BUY
EtSY LEATHER CAMeRA STRAPS
ETSY HANDMADE CAMERA STRAP
3. HARLOWE CREATIVE ACCESSORIES
I recently learned about this company while I was in NYC at the BILD Expo with B&H Photo. This company makes so many fun and creative accessories to help inspire photographers. Personally, Iād go for the Harlowe Gobo and Lens FX Creator Kit (unique filters for creating interesting photos) or the Harlowe Mini II Bi-Color LED Light Standard Kit (a portable lighting kit that is super small and can go anywhere with you).
WHERE TO BUY
B&H Photo - Harlowe Gobo and Lens FX Creator Kit
B&H Photo - Harlowe Mini II Bi-Color LED Light Standard Kit
4. LIGHT PAINTING WAND
There are so many uses for a light wand. You could create shapes while using a slow shutter speed, or you can use it in the studio to create colorful lighting scenarios. Instead of buying an expensive studio light with gels to change the color, you can just use a light wand like this one that has endless color options! Itās also nice when you have a light thatās handheld because you can really control how close the light is to your subject. It gives you more options for creating unique lighting situations as opposed to a giant stationary studio light that you canāt really move around.
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon
B&H Photo
5. FILM SCANNER
Itās on my list this year to get myself a new 35 mm film scanner. I currently use an Epson Perfection V750 (the V850 is the latest version), which is great for scanning 120 film, but Iād love to have a designated 35 mm film scanner like this one. Itās way faster and easier to manage, and takes up less space on my desk. Plus, this Kodak one lets you scan 35 mm, 120, and 110 film and slides so you can restore those old film photos your parents might have taken back in the day! Honestly, scanning film is one of my all-time favorite things to do, which probably makes me a nerd, but itās so exciting to see how my photos turned out after getting them back from the processing lab. Plus, youāll save a TON of money scanning your own film instead of paying the lab to scan them for you!
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon
B&H Photo
6. POLAROID GO OR POLAROID NOW & FILM
I actually just picked up a Polaroid Now camera and I love it. I just wrote a full blog post about it too! Itās super simple to use and works a little better than my vintage Polaroid 600 cameras. It also has more modern features too, like a built-in multiple exposure feature and bluetooth connectivity. Plus, it takes both 600 film and i-Type film (which is a little cheaper). Not to mention, itās incredibly cute sitting up on your shelf. Every photographer should have a polaroid camera, itās just a right of passage!
WHERE TO BUY
Polaroid Now ON AMAZON
POLAROID NOW I-TYPE FILM ON AMAZON
Polaroid Go ON AMAZON
POLAROID GO FILM ON AMAZON
POLAROID NOW GIFT SET ON POLAROID.COM
POLAROID GO GIFT SET ON POLAROID.COM
7. NEEWER RING LIGHT
I bring a ring light with me everywhere if Iām traveling for work. Itās a heck of a lot easier than carrying around a studio lighting kit, and is the perfect fill light if youāre working in a space that isnāt quite bright enough. Plus, itās great for capturing makeup and glam looks, and creates a nice even lighting over your subject. Iāll often throw a white sheet over it to diffuse the lighting even more, especially for video. But itās nice because you can also change the color temperature and brightness! Not to mention, they are super affordable! I promise you, every content creator out there uses a ring light because they are also just flattering for everyone and they even create a lovely reflective ring shape in the eyes!
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon
B&H PHOTO
8. INSTANT FILM PRINTER - INSTAX MINI LINK
These days, we take so many photos on our iPhones but we never print them! This little printer is perfect because you can create little mini polaroids with photos from your iPhone. Itās perfect because the prints are great for giving to friends and family and look so cute in a scrapbook or hanging on the fridge. I print polaroids all the time because itās just a nice way to keep the memories alive instead of letting your photos disappear on your hard drive. I love printing a photo out and sticking it in a Christmas card or birthday card to send to a friend. :)
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon
B&H PHOTO
9. 35 MM & 120 FILM ROLLS
If the photographer in your life shoots film, then 35 mm is your safest best. But if you know for a fact that theyāre into 120 film (medium format), then definitely help them out and buy a few rolls! Film is expensive for photographers to buy constantly but is a great gift! A roll of 35 mm film costs anywhere from $5-20, and 120 film is usually $8-20. You canāt go wrong with Kodak Portra 400 in 35 mm or 120, or Kodak Gold 200 in 35 mm or 120. You can also read more on my blog! I have a post about 5 Unique Films To Make Your Photos More Interesting or The Best Color Film For 35 mm Cameras.
WHERE TO BUY
Kodak Portra 400 35 mm film ON B&H PHOTO
Kodak Portra 400 120 film on B&H Photo
KODAK GOLD 200 35 MM FILM ON AMAZON
KODAK GOLD 200 120 FILM ON B&H PHOTO
10. LEATHER OR VEGAN LEATHER CAMERA BAG
I just got a new camera bag last Christmas and it was a game changer. Iād been using the same ratty camera bag for over a decade, to the point that the zipper was broken and the fabric was tearing apart! There are finally some nice looking camera bags out there now. I personally love the brand Ona, but there are tons of other brands out there too, especially on Amazon. Here are a bunch that Iād recommend!
ONA THE CAPRI II CAMERA BAG IN ANTIQUE COGNAC LEATHER ON B&H PHOTO
VEGAN LEATHER CAMERA BACKPACK ON AMAZON
GILLIS LONDON GILLIS LONDON TRAFALGAR CAMERA BACKPACK
CWATCUN CANVAS CAMERA BACKPACK
CWATCUN CAMERA BAG, RETRO CAMERA CROSSBODY CASE
JAEP CAMERA BACKPACK - WEATHER RESISTANT WAXED MEMORY CANVAS
11. VINTAGE CAMERA
Etsy is sort of a secret when it comes to shopping for vintage cameras. Instead of scouring through thrift stores to find a working camera, you can just browse through Etsy and find a seller that specializes in vintage cameras. I just bought a Ricoh 500GX on Etsy and Iām obsessed with it. You can check out my blog post about 10 Film Cameras I Recommend for Beginners if youāre looking for ideas. But the Canon AE-1 , Pentax K1000, Nikon FE or Nikon FE2 are great options! I always shop for vintage cameras on Etsy, KEH Camera, and eBay.
WHERE TO BUY
VINTAGE CANON AE-1 PROGRAM CAMERA ON KEH CAMERA
PENTAX K1000 ON KEH CAMERA
VINTAGE NIKON FE ON KEH CAMERA
VINTAGE NIKON FE2 ON EBAY
12. LIGHTROOM OR PHOTOSHOP SUBSCRIPTION
If the photographer in your life is just starting out, they probably havenāt officially invested in an editing program yet. Or if they have, Iām sure theyād appreciate a few extra months on their subscription that they wouldnāt have to pay for! Lightroom and Photoshop are sort of the standard for photo-editing, and are incredibly user-friendly and fun to experiment with. Iāve been using Lightroom and Photoshop together throughout my entire photography career for all of my editing!
WHERE TO BUY
LIGHTROOM ON Amazon
LIGHTROOM ON B&H Photo
PHOTOSHOP ON AMAZON
PHOTOSHOP ON B&H PHOTO
LIGHTROOM AND PHOTOSHOP PACKAGE ON AMAZON
13. PORTABLE LED PANEL
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a videographer, a portable LED panel is a great option. Iām not even a videographer and Iād love to have one of these! Sometimes the lighting just sucks and you need a little help. If the photographer in your life is a traveler, this one on Amazon is a great option because it includes a carrying case and lightweight stands. Or, if they tend to be in particularly rugged conditions, Iād recommend this kit from B&H Photo.
WHERE TO BUY
Amazon
B&H Photo
14. BACKBLAZE SUBSCRIPTION
Iāve convinced pretty much everyone in my life to purchase Backblaze. Itās essentially a cloud back-up service, but it backs up your entire computer and all of your hard drives. So, I never have to worry if my clientās photos are going to disappear if my house burns down. And youāre able to access your files from anywhere. For example, if you accidentally forget to drag a folder onto your computer for editing, you can just download it from your backblaze account and keep editing! Iāve already convinced everyone in my family to use Backblaze because I know how devastating it can be to lose photos.
WHERE TO BUY
Get a free 14-day trial on Backblaze!
15. NEW CAMERA!
And of course, who wouldnāt want a new camera! Depending on which brand they prefer, here are a few great options that are new this year from each brand under $2000! I also have a full blog post with more detailed camera descriptions if youād like to read more - Top 10 Most Desired Digital Cameras of 2026 Under $2500 | The Best Mirrorless Cameras on the Market.
WHERE TO BUY
Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera with RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
CANON R6 MARK II
Nikon Z5 II WITH 24-50MM F/4-6.3 LENS
Sony A6700 WITH 18-135MM LENS
Fujifilm X100VI
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I hope this list helps you come up with a few gift ideas for the photographer or creative in your life. Or if youāre a photographer yourself, I hope this list reminds you to invest in your business and believe in yourself! Iāve been a full-time photographer since 2012 and it all started with my first Canon 5D Mark II. It truly only takes one amazing camera and one amazing artist to create a successful business.
If youāre looking for even more gift ideas, you can check out my previous gift guides here and here!
If you found this post helpful or inspiring, Iād love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, youāll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I donāt post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!
If you have any questions, Iām always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H storefront and Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!
<3 Myles Katherine
