Photography is, for lack of better terms, an extremely expensive hobby and career. From bank-draining camera bodies to camera lenses that cost the same amount as a brand new car, it can seem impossible to find good gifts for photographers under $50.
But, there are some very affordable hidden-gem gifts out there that photographers would love to receive, no matter the occasion.
Plus, I have another entire blog post filled with the best budget camera gear for travel photography if you’re looking to spoil your giftee on a budget.
Without further ado, here are the best gifts for photographers under $50 they’ll actually use.
Best Gifts For Photographers Under $25
1. Leather Camera Strap
Most cameras come with basic, branded camera straps that read “Canon,” “Sony,” “Nikon,” etc.
Although photographers tend to stick with these complimentary camera straps, they usually only do so because they’re on a budget.
Thus, this universal leather camera strap would make a fantastic gift for photographers, and it comes in a variety of leather colors too.
2. Shutter Release Remotes
Sometimes, photographers want to stand away from or in front of the camera tripod while the photo is being taken.
However, this can only be done with a camera timer setting — or a remote.
This remote control shutter release will allow photographers to step away from the camera and take photos with ease and control. It is available for most Canon and Nikon cameras, but double check your giftee’s camera type before purchasing.
3. Camera Rain Cover
Furthermore, more often than preferred, photographers get caught in the rain during their shoots.
This cheap bestselling camera rain cover protects cameras from rain and water damage, and would make a perfect low-priced gift for photographers.
4. Underwater Smartphone Pouch
On the contrary, sometimes photographers want to take photos underwater on purpose.
In this case, they either need a waterproof camera (which costs hundreds of dollars), underwater housing for their camera (which also costs hundreds of dollars) or a waterproof pouch to take smartphone photos underwater.
Believe it or not, I actually prefer to take iPhone photos underwater with these exact waterproof pouches than I do with my underwater GoPro camera.
5. Hard SD Card Protector
Speaking of camera gear protection, it is super important that photographers protect their SD memory cards because, if the cards get damaged, the photographers may lose all their photos.
This cheap, durable SD card holder can keep up to 12 SD cards and 24 micro SD cards safe and secure in transport.
Also, like many other gifts on this gift guide, this would make a fantastic stocking stuffer.
6. Mini Clip-On Ring Light
Next, this mini clip-on ring light is, hands-down, one of the best small gifts for photographers under $50.
Not only can you clip this ring light on your phone to take well-lit photos and videos, but you can also clip it on flip-out camera screens for well-lit camera footage on the go.
And, of course, it is the perfect size for travel.
7. Extra Camera Batteries
Lastly for this gifts for photographers under $25 section, all photographers could use extra camera batteries.
There’s nothing more annoying than seeing “low battery” pop up on your camera screen during a shoot.
Luckily, generic camera batteries work just as well as the popular brands (like these off-brand Canon batteries that I use or these off-brand Sony batteries that I use). In fact, many of the generic camera batteries are built in the same factory as the popular brand batteries.
Just be sure you know exactly which camera your giftee owns so that you buy the correct shaped batteries.
Best Gifts For Photographers Under $50
8. Backup Tripod
Photographers need tripods for various reasons: for self shooting, low-light photos and night photography to name a few.
This bestselling compact tripod comes with phone, camera and action camera mount attachments, plus a shutter release remote. Its foldable engineering is perfect for travel photographers, which also makes it a perfect backup tripod for local photographers, too.
9. SanDisk 128GB SD Memory Card
In addition, a photography essential even more important than a tripod is an SD memory card. Without memory cards, photographers cannot shoot and save any photos with a camera.
Therefore, photographers could always use backup memory cards.
This SanDisk 128BG SD memory card is my all-time favorite memory card. I use it on all of my trips. It’s large enough to shoot for an entire day without filling up, it’s durable and it’s super fast.
10. ‘Probably Editing’ Sweatshirt
The only practical use of this next gift for photographers under $50, this crewneck sweatshirt that says “probably editing,” is to keep photographers warm and cozy during their long editing sessions.
And, it’s pretty hilarious and relatable too. Any photographer with a good sense of humor would love this sweatshirt.
11. Camera Hand Strap
Back to the most useful gifts for photographers, this camera hand strap is one of the most practical gifts for photographers yet.
It connects to cameras like a traditional neck strap would, but, for extra security, it also mounts to the camera like a tripod.
I constantly find myself wrapping my camera neck strap around my hand instead of around my neck, so I know this camera hand strap is a genius gift idea.
12. Ring Light (Best Gifts For Photographers)
Does your favorite photographer love shooting portraits, YouTube videos, TikToks and/or Reels indoors? Then they need a ring light!
Even though some ring lights cost well over $100, there are numerous highly reviewed options under $50.
For example, this ring light under $50 comes with a tripod stand, various warm and cool light settings, and a phone mount — for well below your $50 budget.
13. Light Reflectors
Likewise, when the sunlight (or artificial lighting) is working against photographers, light reflectors can really help fix the lighting.
This affordable 5-in-1 light reflector set is perfect for both outdoor photographers and studio photographers.
Plus, this brand is well-known in the photography community. I personally use Neewer’s bestselling ring light.
14. High-Quality Photo Album (Best Gifts For Photographers)
Moreover, what could make more iconic gifts for photographers than nice, high quality photo albums?
For whatever reason, it seems as though professional photographers spend all their time taking, editing and printing photos for their clients that they neglect to print their own photos for themselves. (I’m definitely guilty of this.)
I bought this exact photo album for our wedding photos, and I loved it so much that I bought two more. The leather exterior is coffee-table-worthy, and I especially love that it has both portrait and landscape photo slots so you don’t have to physically turn the album while perusing.
15. Water Resistant Camera Backpack For Travel
Finally, this water resistant camera backpack may cost slightly over $50, but the value of the bag is well worth the splurge.
My husband and I use this exact backpack for all of our camera gear on every single trip — whether it’s a day trip an hour away or a month-long venture across the globe.
It has interchangeable padded camera compartments, plenty of pockets of charging cords and memory cards, extra storage space on top, it looks great in photos, and it’s water resistant to protect your camera gear on rainy days.
I have zero complaints about this camera backpack. I know your photographer friend will love it!
Have any questions about these gifts for photographers under $50? Leave a reply below or send me a direct message on Instagram. I’m happy to answer!
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