Christmas Gifts for Photographers, updated for 2025.

No matter how much you try to deny it, that time of the year is fast approaching. The mince pies have been in the shops since August, Mariah has been defrosting for months and the big guy is polishing his boots and picking up his red suit from the dry cleaners.

So what do you buy for the photographer in your life? Or, what are you treating yourself to? I’ve done some research and have compiled this list of my top 10 gifts for photographers 2025 so that you can navigate the photography shopping minefield effectively and get the reaction you hope for on Christmas Day.

As usual, I have broken this down into three price categories; £0-£50, £50-100 and £100 + and have included a bonus item at the end.

I hope that you find this useful and that I make your Christmas shopping just a little bit less stressful.

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links, so if you make a qualifying purchase after clicking one of my links, I may revive a small commission/kickback.

£1-50

£7.53 on Amazon

This book is a must have and a must read for all photographers, and in it, Sontag explores the idea that constantly consuming photography makes us spectators of life, rather than participants in it. Something which I think is increasingly relevant given the online world in which we find ourselves.

It’s a quick read and will give every photographer some real food for thought; I certainly went away and scratched my head a bit considering some of the observations that are made in it and how I could apply these not only to my own workflow and the way that I make images but also thought about the way I consume photography every day.

A great stocking filler for any photographer!

£19.99 on Amazon

For me, this is another must have for photographers, keeping your kit clean and dust free is really important, and will help to preserve its resale value if you ever come to sell when you upgrade.

I own this particular kit, which contains a rocket blower, lens cleaner fluid, lens cloths and a lens cleaning tool. I really like it.

It’s compact enough to take out if I need to, but it does spend most of its time in the studio where I can clean things in a more predictable environment.

£47.99 on Amazon

Ok, so there are cheaper tech pouches on the market, but for me, you can’t beat the build quality and the design of this one by Peak Design.

Tech pouches/electronics, are a great addition to any photographer’s camera bag as they help to keep everything organised, in the right place and well looked after. I have one of these and its only a recent addition, but in spite of this, it’s one of the things in my bag I wish I had got hold of sooner - no more digging through my bag to find cables, memory cards or lens cloths; I just need to dig this pouch out and there they all are!

£50-100

Toshiba Canvio £64.99 ơn Amazon

Busy photographers never have enough storage and I’d be really chuffed to receive a hard drive for Christmas! I know that on the face of it, this isn’t the most exciting choice, but in terms of being useful, it’s way out there. There are tons to choose from and you will have to decide whether you go for solid state or mechanical. The one I have linked on here is the Canvio Partner from Toshiba and this is because it’s the one that I buy when I need some more space. It’s quick enough, works on Mac and PC and so far (touch wood) has never let me down.

Belkin BoostCharge £59.99 on Amazon

Another one which might not seem exciting on the face of things, but photographers always have something that needs charging, or will need charging soon. Again, plenty of options here, but I have gone for this one from Belkin as it’s got a decent capacity, small form factor and 4 charging ports. It will do 5 full phone charges from an overnight charge, which only takes about 6.5 hours, perfect for sticking on charge over night and having plenty of power on the go.

£69.99 on Amazon

This is something that I talk about A LOT. It’s hands down one of the best camera accessories I own. It’s a tidy looking piece of milled aluminium alloy, meaning it’s lightweight, durable and looks great.

You screw the plate into the 1/4” tripod mounting hole on the bottom of your camera and attach the clip to the shoulder strap on your camera bag, allowing you to keep your hands free when you are out walking, but at the same time, still have your camera readily available so that you don’t miss the shot when you see it.

In my opinion, this a fantastic little piece of kit and it’s something that I wouldn't be without.

The clip fits all cameras, so long as they have a tripod mount in the base.

£100+

£109.99 on Amazon

This is a bag that I own and that I love. It’s a great day bag as it has space to keep your camera gear well protected in the bottom section, and the top section is a great place to keep everything else you need for a day’s shooting, including a pack-down jacket, your laptop (I can fit a 16” MacBook Pro M4 in the laptop section) and it also has a well segmented section for storing all of the bits and pieces that photographers need to carry with them.

The bag is comfortable to wear, weather proof and also comes with a rain cover; just in case you get caught out in a nasty shower.

Tripods can be secured using the straps at the bottom and there’s also a handy side pouch for your water bottle.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

£430 on Amazon

Okay, so this is pretty expensive piece of kit, and by far the most expensive thing on this list, but it’s also probably the most exciting.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a compact, high-performance gimbal camera which truly allows you to create on the go. It features a large 1″ CMOS sensor for improved low-light performance, alongside mechanical 3-axis stabilization that keeps shots smooth. Capable of capturing 4K video (up to 120 fps) and offering a rotatable 2″ touchscreen, it is great for both photo and video

It ticks several boxes: portability (it virtually disappears in a coat pocket), creative versatility (excellent for landscapes, travel, behind-the-scenes shooting or quick on-the-go captures), and premium performance that steps up from typical compact cameras or smartphone rigs. Whether it’s capturing family moments, field work, or spontaneous creative ideas, it offers real value and flexibility. For a photographer who already uses larger kit, this makes an excellent complementary “everyday” camera—one they will reach for when the big gear is too much.

£100 +

This one is going to require a bit of research, so if you’re looking for a surprise for someone, then this probably isn’t going to be it. You need to think about a lot of variables with a tripod (style of photography, current ecosystem etc) to make sure that you’re buying that they’re not going to be asking for the receipt so that they can return it and get something more suited to their style or their current setup.

The one that I have pictured here, and that is in the link is a Manfrotto one, but this might not be the one for your intended recipient. It’s a bit of a minefield buying tripods and heads, so work with the person you are buying it for to make sure that what you are buying is going to suit them and the way they work as well as the way they choose to attach their camera to the tripod!

Bonus Item

£12.99 on Amazon

It had to be didn’t it. Every photographer I know has one of these that’s been bought for them at some point. Many of us have more than one!

They’re fun, they’re cheap and they hold coffee. What’s not to like.

There’s also the added bonus of the packaging being the same shape and size as a 24-105mm lens which adds a bit of a troll-factor as well - I certainly got caught out when I was given one and was told before opening it “don’t get too excited”! (I still got excited).

Some final notes…

1. Check what they already use.
Start by finding out their camera brand, the type of tripod mount they have, or whether their gimbal is compatible with certain accessories. It sounds technical, but knowing their setup helps you avoid buying something that doesn’t fit — and they’ll appreciate the attention to detail.

2. Match the gift to their photography style.
A landscape photographer might value a sturdy tripod, while someone who travels light will prefer a compact gimbal or versatile camera clip. Studio photographers might love new lighting gear or a stylish backdrop.

3. Think beyond equipment.
If they already have every gadget under the sun, consider creative gifts instead — a high-quality photo book, fine-art printing paper, or a voucher for professional printing services. These add a personal touch and encourage them to showcase their work.

4. Gift cards are never boring.
A voucher for their favourite photo retailer or software subscription gives them flexibility to choose exactly what they need — a safe but thoughtful option.

5. Shop smart and local.
Check UK stock and shipping options to make sure delivery is quick and returns are straightforward. It’s also worth double-checking VAT and warranty coverage before you buy.

So there you have it, whether you’re shopping for a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic beginner, the key is to find something that inspires creativity and fits their unique shooting style. Thoughtful gifts don’t just add to a kit — they will give your loved one some inspiration and flexibility to improve their craft

If you found these tips helpful, explore more photography insights and gear guides over on my blog — and don’t forget to share this post with anyone hunting for the perfect gift for the photographer in their life!

All prices in this blog are correct as of 25/10/2025 and are subject to change.

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