Whether you’re shopping for a commercial professional or an extremely passionate hobbyist, finding the perfect gift for that creative individual in your life can often feel like a daunting challenge. With so many accessories and add-ons to choose from, it can be a bit difficult to discern what might be most usable in regard to their preferred endeavors. For this gift guide, we are nudging practicality and price points to the side; you can find those types of tailored recommendations (HERE) and (HERE) as we explore a random range of gifts that would simply be fun to receive, regardless of want versus specific need.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Wireless Smartphone Printer
One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to bring an instant camera to an event or party and to provide a tangible memento to friends and family in attendance. The shared joy and nostalgia for taking and sharing these images harkens back to simpler times and is an experience that seems to transcend generational gaps. While the cameras tend to be inexpensive, the film for them is decidedly not, making it important to get the most out of your instant exposures. That’s where this gift finds itself in a sweet spot between utterly employable and awesome to use. Instead of being hindered by mixed and dimly lit environments, simply select your favorite image from your smartphone and print it instantly using Bluetooth technology!
Apple AirPods Max
While there are comparable over-ear headphones at this end of the market, the AirPod Max simply takes the cake for outstanding performance. Not to mention all-day comfort and the intrinsic appeal of Apple-designed products. These headphones not only offer an amazingly reliable experience when I use them to edit video, but the noise canceling ability is more than worth its weight in gold when traveling or working in dynamic environments outside of the office. These are quite simply the best headphones I’ve ever owned.
Vaonis Vespera Observation Station
Have you ever been marveling at the majesty of a full moon, only to pull out your phone to take a picture? Unsurprisingly, it looks like a glowing potato. Yep, we’ve all been there, and that would never happen with the Vespera Pro Smartphone Telescope. This device makes stargazing and astronomy much more accessible to a wide range of users by simply pairing your smartphone device with a professional-level telescope, eradicating the minutiae and moving parts. This gift would be a homerun for the enthusiastic astrophotographer or for someone curious about the cosmos.
Polar Pro Shortstache Everyday Mist + CPL Filter
This particular filter makes for an excellent gift for filmmakers and content creators who want to add a super versatile and high-performance filter to their kit. The Everyday filter improves exposure control by using a slight ND element in its design and reduces glare while enhancing image quality by employing a polarizing element as well. A symbiotic pairing that blooms highlights while retaining detail in the shadows, this is a “set it and forget it” type of addition to any lens in the bag.
BenQ GS50 Full HD Portable Outdoor Projector
Okay, I cannot personally vouch for the construction quality and user experience of this product, as I have never used anything like it, but WOW, this thing looks like a ton of fun and is guaranteed to elevate any camping or outdoor experience. Movie night gets a major makeover as any flat vertical surface becomes your canvas for a truly unique cinematic experience with full HD projection and a Bluetooth speaker with BassBoost
Printique Gift Card
As a photographer, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing my work in the tangible form of a print, especially when you consider how rare it is to hold an image in the highly digitized world that we live in. To me, the printed medium represents the physical embodiment of a moment that would have otherwise been missed had you not been there to document it. Printique by Adorama makes it exceptionally easy for artists of all abilities to appreciate their work in this hardcopy format, and they even offer services such as helping you create and publish layflat photo books. Printique uses the highest quality materials and employs an in-house team of wonderfully qualified professionals who can assist you in bringing any creative vision to life.
