In January 2026 I moved to Scotland and since then I’ve been shooting a lot of documentary projects as well as wildlife.

Despite that shift in what I photograph, the best gifts for photographers remain largely the same because the genuinely useful things tend to stay useful regardless of genre.

Good bags, reliable memory cards, comfortable straps, practical accessories, and tools that make photographers want to pick up their camera more often are still the things I value most myself.

I’ll let you in on a secret. Every photographer you know — even the ones who swear they’re minimalists — has a quiet obsession with camera bags and straps.

There are a million gifts you could buy for the photographer in your life, but if you’re not quite ready to splash out on a new lens or camera (If you are, then see this my guides for the best travel cameras , best cameras in 2026, best compact cameras and best beginner cameras for all the options). believe me when I say: a quality bag or strap is the next best thing. Even if they’ve already got some. Failing that, us phtographers love to keep our gear clean so good cleaning kit is always useful.

I’ve got about ten bags sitting next to my desk right now — and somehow I’m still always looking at new ones. At the moment I’ve got my eye on a couple more and I’m already dreaming up ways to justify them to my wife. And until I found the camera straps below, I spent an unreasonable amount of time hunting for the perfect one.

Best Budget Gifts for Photographers (Under $50)

You don’t need to spend a fortune to find a gift that a photographer will genuinely appreciate. These small, practical items are the kind of things we use every single week and never think to buy for ourselves.

• SD Card Case — A durable, protective organiser for SD cards. Essential for travel or anyone who shoots a lot of photos.
• SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB SD Card — Fast, reliable, and compatible with almost every camera. You can never have too many of these.
• Camera Cleaning Kit — A simple but extremely useful kit for keeping lenses and sensors dust-free.
• Peak Design Anchor Links — Quick-release anchors that let you swap straps or attach a camera to different carry systems effortlessly.
• Anker Nano Power Bank — A compact USB-C power bank perfect for keeping cameras or phones charged during long days out.

If you show up with a well-made bag or strap, you’ll instantly become their favourite person. It’s the equivalent of buying your child their favourite toy for Christmas — just sit back, watch them unwrap it, and enjoy the reaction.

Below are my personal favourites — all gear I use and love — to help you pick something they’ll actually be thrilled to receive.

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the site.

Peak Design Everyday Sling

If the photographer you know shoots anything from travel to street photography — or just likes to keep their gear with them — the Peak Design Everyday Sling is pretty much the pinnacle of camera-bag design.

I’ve had my 10L for over a year and it still looks brand new. That’s thanks to the solid build quality and premium materials Peak Design use; the fabric feels tough without being rigid, the hardware inspires confidence, and the whole bag holds its shape beautifully. It’s stylish enough that it doesn’t scream “camera bag,” yet it’s discreet and functional.

I reach for this bag more than any other. It’s comfortable for all-day wear, whether slung across my back (how I usually carry it) or worn messenger-style on the shoulder. The strap adjusts quickly so you can loosen it to swing the bag forward for access, then tighten it back down when you’re on the move.

The 10L is deceptively roomy. Here’s a typical real-world loadout I carry with no trouble:

• Fujifilm X-T5 with 23mm f/1.4 attached
• Fujifilm X100VI
• Two extra prime lenses ( 33mm f/1.4 and a 56mm f/1.2)
• Cleaning kit, spare batteries, and SD cards in the internal zippered organiser
• 13″ iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Pencil in the rear tablet sleeve
• Chargers, power banks, and cables in the front external pocket

Despite all that, the bag stays slim and doesn’t feel overstuffed. I’ve taken it out in the rain and, while it isn’t fully waterproof, it sheds water well enough that my gear has always stayed dry. There’s even a thoughtful mounting point for a Peak Design Capture Clip (see below) if you want to carry a camera on the outside for instant access. I have also written specific guides for the best accessories for the Fujifilm X-T5 and X100VI.

Peak Design Everyday Sling

My go-to camera bag for travel, street photography, and everyday shooting. Stylish, durable, and endlessly practical.

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Why it’s a great gift:

• Looks good and works anywhere — street, travel, daily carry.
• Holds a serious kit without looking huge or feeling heavy.
• Durable enough to last years; mine still looks new after hard use.
• Thoughtful touches (tablet sleeve, organiser, Capture Clip mount) make it feel premium.

Note for lighter-packers: 3 L & 6 L versions

If the photographer you know tends to travel ultralight or carry a minimal kit, there are smaller siblings in the same family — the 3 L and 6 L variants — built with the same quality and design DNA. The capacity scales down, but the exceptional materials, smart dividers, strap system, and weather resistance remain.

Here’s what those look like in practice:

For reference, the capacity in cubic inches is:

• 3 L ≈ 183 cu. in
• 6 L ≈ 366 cu. in
• 10 L ≈ 610 cu. in

So if the person you’re buying for loves sleek, minimal rigs, the 3 L or 6 L are excellent alternatives — same craftsmanship, smaller footprint.

Should my wife ever stumble across this article and surprise me with a new Peak Design bag, she’d have a free pass for the whole of the next year.

Peak Design Camera Straps (Slide Lite, Leash & Wrist Cuff)

If the photographer in your life is still using the uncomfortable strap that came in the box, upgrading it is a small gift that makes a huge daily difference. Peak Design’s straps have become the standard because they’re comfortable, clever, and built to last.

Peak Design Slide Lite

This is my everyday strap and the one I recommend most. The Slide Lite is wide enough to be comfortable all day, but not so bulky it gets in the way. You can wear it as a sling, neck strap, or shoulder strap, and the smooth side slides easily when you want to bring the camera up for a shot. Peak Design’s quick-adjust handles let you instantly lengthen or shorten it — perfect when switching from shooting to carrying.

I’ve used mine on everything from lightweight mirrorless kits to heavier full-frame bodies and it’s rock solid. The best feature is the quick-release Anchor Links — you can take the strap off in seconds when you want to shoot unencumbered (or swap to a different Peak Design strap). Add a few extra Anchors (they’re inexpensive) and you can attach them to every camera you own, making it easy to use the same strap across your whole kit.

Works brilliantly with everything from compact mirrorless cameras (Fujifilm X-T5, Sony A7C II, OM System OM-1) to heavier full-frame bodies (Canon R6 II, Nikon Z8).

Why it’s a great gift:

• Instantly more comfortable than any stock strap
• Works with almost any camera, big or small
• Adjusts on the fly; quick-release anchors make swapping or packing easy
• Looks premium — not like a cheap add-on

Peak Design Leash

If the Slide Lite is Peak Design’s do-everything workhorse, the Leash is its ultra-light little sibling. It’s slim, flexible, and packs down tiny — perfect for photographers who travel light or just don’t like a bulky strap.

Despite its minimal look, it’s still strong enough to carry a full-frame body and lens. I’ve used mine with cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI, X-T5, and even a Nikon Z6II without issue but it’s best suited to smaller mirrorless cameras like the Fuji X100VI, OM System OM-3 and Fuji X-T5 used with smaller lenses. It’s brilliant when I want to keep my setup low-profile for street shooting or travel days when comfort and discretion matter.

Just like the Slide Lite, the Leash has quick-release Anchor Links so you can snap it off in seconds, or move it between cameras if you’ve added extra anchors. The adjustment system is simple but effective — slide to lengthen when you’re wearing it cross-body, shorten for carrying around your neck.

Why it’s a great gift:

• Ultra-light and low-profile — great for travel and street photography
• Still strong enough for bigger cameras despite its size
• Shares the same quick-release Anchor system as the Slide Lite
• Packs small when not in use — easy to throw in any bag

If you’re ready to upgrade their strap game, here are the ones I personally use and recommend:

Peak Design Cuff (Wrist Strap)

Some photographers hate wearing a neck or shoulder strap at all — especially when shooting street or travel where they want to stay low-key. The Peak Design Cuff is perfect for them. It’s a minimal wrist strap that keeps the camera secure but stays out of the way until it’s needed.

I use wrist straps when I want the smallest, cleanest setup possible or I know I’m going to be putting the camera in and out of my bag all day— usually with cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI, Ricoh GRIII, or a lightweight mirrorless with a small prime. You slip your hand through, the strap tightens slightly for security, and if you need both hands free you can just let the camera hang safely from your wrist. When you’re done shooting, the Cuff quickly cinches down or detaches using the same quick-release Anchor Links as Peak Design’s bigger straps.

Why it’s a great gift:

• Ideal for photographers who dislike full straps
• Ultra-compact and stylish — disappears when not in use
• Same Anchor Link system as other Peak Design straps
• Great add-on if they already own a Slide Lite or Leash

Gift-giver tip: All three straps use the same Anchor Link system. If the photographer you’re buying for already owns one Peak Design strap, you can gift another style (e.g., a Cuff to complement their Slide Lite) and they’ll be able to swap between them instantly.

For Hiking & Landscape Photographers: Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II

Not every photographer wants a sleek city sling. If the person you’re buying for spends long days hiking, shooting landscapes, or needs to carry a bigger kit into the outdoors, the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II is a fantastic gift. I’ve had mine for at least 5 years and it’s still going strong. It’s the bag I reach for when I’m heading out with more gear. It’s well built but still comfortable to wear for hours — the harness and waist belt spread the weight well, and the back panel has decent airflow so you’re not drenched in sweat by lunchtime.

Lowepro like to promote the back-panel access: you swing the bag around your waist, open the rear panel, and grab your gear without setting the bag down in mud or wet grass. Personally, I’ve never found that remotely useful — but what it does allow is for you to lay the bag on the ground and access all your gear from the side that normally sits against your back. That means when you put the bag back on, the part touching your clothes stays dry. It’s such a good design detail that I simply won’t buy a hiking-style camera bag without this feature.

Inside, the bag has flexible dividers so you can configure it exactly to your gear. There’s a zippered pouch for accessories like batteries and leads, dedicated memory card slots, and other internal compartments for filters or small accessories. The internal laptop sleeve fits my 14″ Asus G14. On the outside you’ll find more zippered pockets for extra gear or waterproof layers, plus a removable rain cover tucked into its own pouch.

Lowepro Flipside 400 AW III

This is the newer version of the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II that I use for hiking and landscape photography. It keeps the same rugged, comfortable design with updated materials and features.

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*Note: I own the Mark II version — this link goes to the latest Mark III update.*
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Here’s an example of a real loadout I’ve carried in the Flipside 400 AW II with no issues:

• Nikon Z7 II with NIKKOR Z 14–24mm f/2.8 attached
• NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/2.8
• NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8
• Lee Filters Big Stopper and ND Grad kit
• Spare batteries & memory cards
• Asus G14 14″ laptop in the internal sleeve
• Peak Design Travel Tripod strapped to the exterior
• Small cleaning kit tucked into the internal organiser

Even with a kit like this — which is heavy by mirrorless standards — the bag carries comfortably and stays balanced. The harness and waist belt make a long hike manageable, and the back-panel design means the part against my back stays dry even if I have to set the bag down. And there’s still room to fit more lenses in.

Best Camera Backpack for hiking and wildlife

Ever since I moved to Scotland in January 2026, I’ve been getting out more and more and hiking the glens. I’ve found the need to carry more gear and especially when shooting wildlife, I need something that will fit my large telephoto lenses in it.

I use the Thinktank Mindshift Backlight 36L bag becasue it has a huge capacity, is really comfortable, well made and has room for everything I need including waterproofs and safety gear.

The main compartment has adjustable dividers so you can tailor the fit to your exact kit. It comes with a rain cover for when things turn really Scottish. There are plenty of external fixing points to strap extra kit to and a really well made tripod attachment. The side of the bag features stretch pockets that are perfect for a water bottle or other stashing a waterpoof jacket. On the front of the bag are two zippered sotrage areas which work brilliantly for gloves, hats and any other accessories you want quick access to. All zippers have pulls attached to them so opening in cold weather with gloves is easy. Loads of internal space for memory cards, filters and batteries can be found on the two internal zippered compartments.

The bag features good padding on the areas that contact your back as well as an essentail waits strap and sternum strap to keep the load exactly where you want it.

Most importantly, access is via the panel that rests against your back. This means that when you lay it down on the floor, the part touching your back doesnt get wet.

Here’s a typical loadout that I use this bag for:

Nikon Z8

Nikon Z6III

Nikon Z 180-600mm lens

Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 lens

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4S

Nikon Z 1.4x tele-converter

Spare batteries

Memory card case

Cleaning kit

Waterprooof jacket

Waterproof overtrousers

Spare gloves

Water bottle 1.5 litre

Snacks

First aid kit

Compass

Map

With room to fit more lenses if I wish

You can find the latest pricing here.

Best Small Accessory to Gift a Landscape Photographer

Peak Design Capture Clip

If you’ve already bought your photographer the Lowepro bag for landscape shooting — or they’ve already found their perfect pack — there’s one gift that’s become incredibly popular in the last few years and they’re almost certain to appreciate.

One of the biggest headaches when hiking with camera gear is figuring out how to carry the camera itself. Wearing it around your neck makes it bounce everywhere (and nobody wants to cut a trip short thanks to a camera-induced broken nose). Most of us end up packing the camera away after each shot — safe, but frustrating when something unexpected appears.

What we really want is fast, safe access to the camera without neck strain or constant bag shuffling. By far the best solution is the Peak Design Capture Clip. It’s a clever little mount that attaches to almost any backpack strap (it works on most rucksacks and also Peak Design sling bags). You simply slide the camera into the clip and it locks securely on your chest. The quick-release button makes it effortless to grab the camera the instant a shot presents itself.

This simple device has genuinely transformed the way thousands of landscape photographers carry their cameras — myself included. It’s one of the easiest, most practical gifts you can give any photographer who hikes with their gear.

Peak Design Capture Clip

The perfect add-on for hiking or landscape photography. The Capture Clip securely mounts your camera to a bag strap or belt, keeping it ready to shoot while taking the weight off your neck.

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Best Power Banks for Photographers 2026

Photographers are always worried about battery levels — will we make it through a long shoot, hike, or travel day? Traditionally we’d stock up on spare batteries, but almost every modern camera now charges via USB-C. That means instead of juggling lots of brand-specific spares, one or two good power banks can keep all your gear topped up.

I only trust Anker because their power banks are reliable, safe to carry on flights, and built to last. I specifically choose models with a built-in USB-C cable — it cuts down on clutter and means I’ll never end up with a power bank but no lead. Both of mine also include extra USB-C and USB-A ports for flexibility.

The two I use:

• Anker Prime 20,000 mAh 250 W Power Bank — my large-capacity unit. Plenty of power and 250 W USB-C PD output for cameras, phones, tablets, and even laptops. In fact, I’m charging my Asus G14 laptop with it right now as I write this article. It’s perfect when I’m back at a hotel or on a multi-day trip with no easy power.
• Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000 mAh 30 W (built-in USB-C) — light and pocketable. This lives in my bag on hikes or city shoots, giving enough juice to top up a camera or phone without weighing me down.

Why it’s a great gift:

• One bank can charge multiple cameras, phones, and tablets
• Works with most modern mirrorless systems (Fujifilm, Nikon Z, Sony, Canon R) that charge via USB-C
• Built-in cable reduces clutter and forgotten leads
• Reliable and flight-safe — peace of mind for travel photographers

Gift-giver tip: If the photographer you’re buying for shoots with recent cameras that charge via USB-C (most do now), a good power bank is one of the most useful, future-proof gifts you can buy.