Do you know someone who’s favorite part of hiking or backpacking is taking photos? Are you at a loss for what to get them as a gift since you don’t know the difference between f-stop and shutter speed?
Relax, we’ve got you covered! My husband Michael is a professional photographer – which explains how I get all these awesome photos for the blog! :) – and he put together this great guide to the best gifts for outdoor photographers.
THE BEST GIFTS FOR OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
We’ve split up this gift guide for outdoor photographers into a few sections to help you find the perfect gift:
Outdoor Photography Gifts Under $50
Camera Packs & Mounts Gifts
Gifts of Photography Accessories
Splurge-Worthy Outdoor Photography Gifts
If you’re looking for specific outdoor photography gift ideas, go ahead and skip ahead to that section!
And if you’re still stuck on a gift idea, just remember that the very best gift you could give your favorite outdoor photographer is to go on an adventure with them and be the subject of their photos! :)
Please note: The below post contains affiliate links.
GIFTS FOR OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHERS UNDER $50
1. ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS
Looking at a bunch of tiny images in a square format doesn’t always provide inspiration. Lately, I have found myself really appreciating photo books with beautifully printed images in a larger scale format. Books from the perspective of elite level adventure photographers Jimmy Chin, Chris Burkard and Corey Rich provide the gift of storytelling through incredible images.
Buy "There and Back" by Jimmy Chin Here
Buy "Wayward" by Chris Burkard Here
Buy "Stories Behind the Images" by Corey Rich Here
2. ANSEL ADAMS WALL CALENDAR
Another great gift option for outdoor photography inspiration is an Ansel Adams Wall Calendar. Ansel Adams was one of the most well-renowned outdoor photographers, known for his stunning photographs of the landscapes of the West. This calendar features gorgeous black and white photos of places including Yosemite, Denali, Cape Cod, and more.
Buy the 2024 Ansel Adams Wall Calendar Here
3. JOBY GORILLAPOD
Sometimes a full-size tripod is overkill. If you’re going on a long multi-day backpacking trip, why lug around a full-size tripod if you don’t need it? The GorillaPod is a great solution because it’s small enough to bring along anywhere.
With a swiveling head and the ability to wrap around odd objects (like tree branches), the GorillaPod is super useful. And at a fraction of the cost and weight of its larger counterparts, this is a perfect gift for the outdoor photographer.
4. NEOPRENE LENS POUCHES
If you’re big into landscape photography and love bringing as much gear as you can pack, these nifty neoprene lens pouches can help save you room in your backpack. Clip them to the pack, feed them through a belt, or wear them in another creative way. When I hiked the John Muir Trail, I had so much in my pack that I didn’t have room for the extra lens I knew I needed, and these protective sleeves were my solution.
Buy Neoprene Lens Pouches Here
5. CAMERA RAINSLEEVE
Even if your camera is water-resistant, water-proof, and weather-sealed, would you really risk your expensive baby in a drizzle or a snow storm? I think not! But you shouldn’t let weather make your photo-taking decisions for you, and these super light plastic rain covers mean you don’t have to.
These rainsleeves are designed to fit your camera to protect it while letting you have access to all the buttons. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for a photographer so they can always have it at the ready, just in case, when they’re backpacking or adventuring in the rain.
6. CAMERA MULTI-TOOL
This little gadget is cute and functional, making it a perfect present for outdoor photographers. The Kikkerland Camera Multi-tool is flat to easily slip into a pocket, wallet, or pack, and includes several screwdrivers, wrenches, and even a Sunny 16 rule to help determine lens exposure for daylight. Plus, it’s in the shape of a camera!
Buy the Camera Multi-tool Here
7. CAMERA LENS COFFEE MUG
When outdoor photographers are getting an alpine start to catch that spectacular sunrise shot, a camera lens coffee mug will totally come in handy! This mug is shaped exactly like a Canon lens but has a stainless steel interior to keep hot beverages insulated. It comes with two lids, one to sip from and one which seals.
Buy a Camera Lens Coffee Mug Here
8. LEGO NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER MINIFIGURE
Your favorite outdoor photographer will love to see themselves in miniature in this LEGO Nature Photographer figure. This would make an adorable stocking stuffer!
Buy a LEGO Nature Photographer Minifigure Here
GIFTS OF CAMERA PACKS & MOUNTS
9. HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR CAMERA POD
When you are on the trail as a photographer, you need to think about how to keep your camera at the ready while also keeping that fancy expensive camera safe in the wild. Hyperlite is known for making some of the best ultralight gear on the market (especially backpacks) but I was especially excited when I found out they make a simple camera holster that protects your camera without weighing you down on the trail.
Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Camera Pod Here
10. PEAK DESIGN CAMERA CAPTURE CLIP
If your main goal is to get the shot no matter what and not have to fuss with zippers or grabbing the camera out of a bag every single time, then the Peak Design Capture Clip is the perfect solution for you. This little lightweight metal clip easily attaches to any strap on your bag or belt allowing you to quickly attach or detach whenever necessary through a small tripod-like plate.
If you love the idea but are a bit nervous about the lack of protection with your camera exposed, consider the Peak Design shell cover to give you more peace of mind.
Buy the Peak Design Camera Capture Clip Here
Buy the Peak Design Shell Camera Cover Here
11. PEAK DESIGN CAMERA STRAPS
When carrying around your beloved camera, a sturdy strap can be extremely handy, but straps can also get in the way at times, especially if you want to take the camera on and off a tripod. Peak Design provides the perfect solution with incredibly strong straps that have quick releases on the camera end.
These straps are easy to take off and on without sacrificing quality or strength. They come in multiple sizes and have very easy adjustment points to boot.
Buy the Peak Design Camera Leash Here
Buy the Peak Design Slide Lite Strap Here
12. STROHL MOUNTAIN LITE 45L BACKPACK BUNDLE
I could write an entire gift guide about the variety of photography bags and their different uses, but I’m going to focus on one that can carry all your pricey photography possessions along on any adventure. This incredible bag by Moment was designed by renowned adventure photographer Alex Strohl, and his experience shooting in the outdoors led him to create an intelligent, lightweight, do-anything photo bag.
This bag also comes with many useful accessories intentionally designed to fit perfectly inside. These include a lightweight holster compatible with the Peak Design Capture Clip I mentioned earlier and a nifty removable organizational cube. And if you don’t want to get the entire kit, you can gift just the bag or just the holster by itself.
Buy the Strohl Mountain Light 45L Backpack Bundle Here
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