Exposed! :: Photo Gift Ideas ::
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Contents
It's time for our annual gift-buying guide and this year we went to Facebook for ideas. So, if you have a photographer on your list, keep reading for some serious (and seriously fun) gift buying ideas.
Ideas
Andrea Tomkins of A Peek Inside the Fishbowl is wishing for a remote for her camera. After her DIY portrait session she saw the need! This little gizmo rounds out any camera bag for $25 - $100s.
Her list also includes a very fine accessory for her iPhone - a wooden "camera" case to make her high-tech piece look low-tech cool. $42 + shipping
Regular photo workshop student, Andrew B, is looking for anything wide but is really hoping for the super wide fun of a 10mm lens. Why? Well, going wide will open up all kinds of photo opps and adds a new adventure to any developing photographer. Access to wide angle ranges from $150 - $1000s.
Santa visits the Aylmer SPCA!
Other photo students Isabelle and Prasad suggested they would love the throwable panoramic ball camera - very, very fun!
And ProProgrammer Erica M suggested you spend your gift dollars on small, independent producers of camera fun on Etsy:
- Fingerless gloves for photography
- Lens Critters to make your subjects smile
- Funky camera straps
Erica says: "There were also tonnes of bags and t-shirts and all sorts of goodies there."
Other ideas? These are standard items I suggest for any photo buff on your list :- a lens with a BIG aperture like the inexpensive 50mm f1.8 ($150-250) or the pricey, but delicious 85mm f1.4 ($1400). Why? These lenses allow your photo friend to photograph in low light levels without flash AND allow you to beautifully blur he backgrounds to bring attention to your main subject.
- Books - Give the gift of inspiration with stunning imagery like 100 Photos That Changed Canada or check PhotoEye and Elizabeth Avedon for book reviews (thanks Andrew Balfour)
- Magazines - One of my favourites is Photo District News
geared towards emerging or working photographers.
- Help your photo friend take better photos with some photo training safaris, courses or workshops.
- Some free gift ideas - introduce your photo friend to this newsletter our blog or the photo blog at our studio Ottawa Studio Works which highlights other Ottawa based photographer's work.
Homework
Invest some thought into your photo gift giving. Support your local businesses, whatever you are giving and choose presents that will have a lasting impression - not in the landfill.
Visit our photo studio's open house to fill your list of photo gifts - there will also be music, donations collected for the SPCA and limited edition cupcakes that were consumed very quickly at our last open house!
Pro Perspective
Hopefully these will give you some ideas for the photographer on your list. Now what's on my list?!
Ahem ... If I could have anything I'd be pretty pleased with the following:
- The Nikon 5D Mark II - waaaait a minute! that doesn't exist. But I've been waiting for Nikon to release their next jump in camera. And I'd like that to mirror or exceed the Canon 5D Mark II. DISCLAIMER!! I've always said - and will continue to say - the camera is secondary to how you use it. I have great equipment that performs well because I have invested in skills that drive the camera. There's no harm in wishing.
- Time. More time please.
I'd love to shoot more and administer less. Thanks Santa.
- Photo books - I am not a big reader but I love looking at stunning photos that inspire me to learn and push my envelope. Blogs and websites are nice but I LOVE a well produced paper based photo book. Remember the beautiful, big artwork on real big music albums "LPs" I miss them. A well produced book takes time, passion and investment. Blogs and websites are easy and feel more disposable.
- A dark room and the skills to print like a master. Yes please.
Final Frame
Please visit our open house at Ottawa Studio Works December 3rd and go home filled with festive cheer and some gifts for the photographer on your list.
We will have cards, workshops, prints, posters and the opportunity to give to the dogs (and ALL animals) at the Aylmer SPCA so they can live and give a better life.
We will be featuring work from photo students, too.
Take photos.
Give thoughtfully.
Have fun!!
