I know, I know...
At the time of writing, it's just barely September, so what am I doing outlining gifts for the holiday season?
Hey, someone has to get the ball rolling, so it might as well be me!
Besides, photographers can be a fickle bunch, so you might need a little extra time to decide exactly what it is you'll be gifting come December.
Here's a few top ideas for photographers that are priced under $250...
Vanguard Alta Sky 66 Backpack
Photographers typically have a lot of gear to carry, so a great gift idea is the gift of an awesome camera backpack!
The Vanguard Alta Sky 66 is full of features that photographers will appreciate.
Not only can it hold a ton of gear - a super telephoto lens, a pro DSLR body, a tripod, and a tablet - but it also has tons of dedicated pockets, organizers, and connectors for carrying all the essentials.
The ergonomic Air System back, harness, and waist belt helps keep all that weight evenly distributed for a "never tire" carrying experience that will allow your favorite photographer to shoot all day long.
And when they're out shooting, they'll enjoy the safety of double security buckles, the full rear opening and top access for easily finding gear, and the bright yellow interior that makes it easy to find what you need.
Add to that an integrated tripod carrying system, a rain cover, and water bottle pockets, and you have the makings of the ultimate camera backpack for the adventurous photographer in your life!
Learn more about the Vanguard Alta Sky 66 Backpack.
Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Angela Gown
No matter if you’re looking for a gift for your favorite photographer or you have a special lady in your life that’s expecting, the Angela gown by Sew Trendy is a wonderful gift idea.
The gown is extra long, with a chiffon fabric skirt that cascades from the knee, giving it an elegant look. The sweetheart top and slim fit construction means that the volume on the bottom of the dress is paired beautifully with a form-fitting upper design.
The off-the-shoulder droop sleeves add a bit of sexiness, though other sleeve options are available to suit different tastes. As you can see in the image above, it’s a gorgeous gown for expecting moms (and it’s available as a non-maternity dress, too!). It’s also an ideal gift idea for the photographer in your life that needs to build a wardrobe for portrait shoots!
Learn more about the Sew Trendy Angela Gown.
Sirui T-025X Tripod
If you have a friend or family member that enjoys photography, a great holiday gift is a top-notch tripod that offers their camera a lot of support, but doesn’t take up a bunch of room in their camera bag, either.
The Sirui T-025X is a great example of an ultra-compact tripod - it’s just 12.2 inches long when folded - that has a ton of features that photographers demand.
The removable center column allows the tripod to be used on a tabletop, and also enables photographers to get in close for low-angle shots and macro photography. What’s more, it’s got automatic leg angle locking mechanisms and three leg angle positions for fast and easy setup, even on uneven terrain.
This tripod is made of ultra lightweight 8-layer carbon fiber, so it’s strong but isn’t bulky. The tripod comes with a C-10S ball head, a quick release plate, a bottom hook for adding a weight bag for improved balance, and more!
And at just $199.99, this tripod represents excellent value!
Learn more about the Sirui T-025X Tripod.
Holdfast MoneyMaker Multi-Camera Strap
Made with pride in Oklahoma, the Holdfast MoneyMaker is the ultimate gift for photographers that live their life on the go.
The MoneyMaker is crafted from fine materials like Bridle Leather, which is durable, supple, and looks great.
The MoneyMaker system keeps your favorite photographer's cameras right at his or her sides where they can be reached easily and are out of the way.
The anchored stainless steel D-rings and safety straps mean that the MoneyMaker keeps expensive gear safe as well.
It's comfortable to wear, too - the leather materials, in particular, "learn" the contours of your body over time, resulting in a supreme fit that takes the pain out of carrying two or even three cameras.
And aside from all its practical and functional features, the MoneyMaker simply looks like a million bucks!
Learn more about the Holdfast MoneyMaker Bridle Leather Multi-Camera Strap.
Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant
If you've got someone to shop for that's into photography and cutting-edge gadgetry, the Arsenal AI Photography Assistant is the perfect gift.
Essentially, Arsenal uses artificial intelligence to figure out what camera settings are ideal for any situation.
It does so by searching thousands and thousands of images in the Arsenal database and developing suggested settings based on 18 crucial factors that have a role in how an image looks.
That means that Arsenal can help you determine everything from exposure settings to dealing with diffraction to focus stacking and so much more.
You can even take on long exposure photography and time-lapse videos, too.
In other words, this is the dream photography gadget for just about any photographer!
Learn more about Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant.
MPB - GoPro HERO 4 Silver
GoPro is synonymous with capturing breathtaking photos and videos of extreme adventures. That makes it the perfect gift idea for the adrenaline junkies on your holiday list.
The HERO4 Silver was made with action and adventure in mind. Not only is it incredibly lightweight - making it highly portable - but it’s also especially designed to record sharp, detailed HD video.
You can attach the HERO4 Silver to just about anything, too, making it one of the most versatile action cameras out there. Better still, you can get incredible deals on pre-owned HERO 4 Silvers and stretch your holiday budget further in the process!
Learn more about the GoPro HERO4 Silver from MPB.
nPhoto Creative 100% Collection DreamBook
What better way to say Happy Holidays than by offering your special someone a gorgeous, custom-made photo book?
The nPhoto DreamBook features ultra high-resolution 4K images, high-quality binding, and gorgeously vivid colors printed on genuine Canon paper using Canon’s DreamLab 5000 printer. You even get to choose among glossy, lustre, and satin papers to customize the look of the album even further.
With a handmade canvas wrap hardcover, up to 40 layflat spreads to show off your images, availability in four sizes that range from 8x8 to 18x12, and a price tag that starts at less than $250, the nPhoto DreamBook is a highly customizable gift that any fan of photography is sure to love!
Learn more about the nPhoto Creative 100% Collection DreamBook.
nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album
The photos that your loved ones hold dear deserve to be showcased in an album that suits their specific tastes and preferences. As a result, a highly customizable photo album is a prime gift idea for the upcoming holiday season.
The nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album gives you all sorts of customization options. You can choose amongst a number of beautiful covers that give the album a custom look. Opt for a cut-out window to reveal a favorite photo and select a laminate or acrylic finish to show off that image. With 10-80 pages, these albums can accommodate a wide-ranging number of images as well.
The Exclusive Collection Photo Album with layflat panoramic spreads further offers details like laser-etched designs, metal corners, and different options for the cover window cutout, too.
With both Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Paper and Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl papers available, you can rest assured that the photos in the album will be sharp, crisp and full of color, and that those features will last a very, very long time.
Help your loved ones enjoy their photos this holiday by giving the gift of a high-quality photo album. With more than 50 combinations of features and pricing that starts at $175, it’s the perfect holiday gift idea!
Learn more about the nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album.
Artbeat Studios HD Metal Print
Looking for a gift with a ton of visual appeal without it having a huge impact on your bank account? Look no further than an HD Metal Print from Artbeat Studios!
The great thing about an HD metal print is that it can be put just about anywhere in a home or office and immediately draw the attention of anyone that sees it. That’s due to the high-quality materials that Artbeat Studios uses to craft their prints.
For example, you can choose between a glossy or matte finish, where a glossy treatment adds depth to the image and creates a lot of drama and a matte finish eliminates glare and offers a more subtle viewing experience.
What’s more, you can choose from natural or black wood wall mounts, or if you prefer, silver or black aluminum wall mounts to further customize how the print looks. The mounts can be recessed from the edge of the print to give it the appearance that it’s floating on the wall, or you can opt to have the mount flush with the edges of the print to give it a little more depth and heft.
No matter how you choose to customize the print, it’ll be well worth the money!
Learn more about Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints.
Syrp Super Dark Variable ND Filter
As far as variable neutral density filters go, this holiday season, Syrp’s Super Dark Variable ND is the best buy around.
That’s because it has a range of 5-10 stops of exposure so that you can adapt it to your particular shooting needs. Adaptability is further seen in its range of sizes - the small size suits 52, 58, and 67mm lenses and the large suits 72, 77, and 82mm - and the fact that the filter has threads on it for stacking purposes.
The Super Dark is made of high-quality Japanese glass, meaning you get precise, clear, color-neutral results that make your long exposures and time-lapse videos look exceptionally good.
Add in a lens cloth and a genuine leather carrying case, and you’ve got one heck of a filter setup!
Learn more about the Syrp Super Dark Variable ND Filter.