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Happy Birthday to Me! (Almost...) | Aberdeen Aberdeenshire Family and Small Business Photographer

Today is the 1st of September, which means that my Birthday is only 19 days away! Woo!

This year I have a lovely celebration lined up, as I will happen to be in London, attending a photography course and meeting up with a group of girlfriends I do not see as much as I would have liked to. So a genuine treat all around.


With my special day a little bit on my mind I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to revisit a Gift Guide blog post I wrote leading up to Christmas last year.

so here goes - if you’re looking for a perfect present for a photography addict, read on for some suggestions.

I bet they’ll be surprised and delighted (do check they don’t own the stuff first and keep the receipt ;)).

10 Best gifts for photography lover in your life:

This little gizmo is a flexible, lightweight tripod. It comes in different sizes, taking different camera weights and due to its mouldable ‘legs’, can be used in most awkward of locations - wrap it around a tree branch or set on some rocks. It folds into a compact and lightweight assistant and can easily be stored in a bag or backpack!

I own the 1K version and it works brilliantly with my smaller camera, so it’s a great companion for days out.

Camera Strap

Of course you get a strap when you buy a camera.

But I bet yours didn’t have a funky print on it or your initials tastefully monogrammed.

There are a variety of independent camera strap outlets out there (check out Etsy!) - make sure your choice suits recipient’s personality and is reliable.

Photo Album

It is true for most that the ease with which we can now capture any fleeting moment, has made photography somewhat unappreciated.

Your photos likely stay on your phone, at best are transferred to your computer’s hard drive and stay there forever.... few may get printed, but it is unlikely that this is a regular occurrence (and if you do, let me know who you are, so I can high five you!).

So why not encourage your photography lover to print their work and display in an old school photo album! Photo books have become a version of this, but, to me, you can’t quite beat that feeling of sitting a print into an album wallet. Check out TKMaxx for some unique and quirky options.

Camera

Now, this is big.

So maybe consult the person you are buying for - or not, if what you’re looking at is an upgrade from what they’ve already got and you’ve received hints before ;)

Check out my suggestions of some of the Best Cameras For Beginners for inspiration. (Scroll to the bottom)

Lens

This might be as hard as selecting the camera - unless, of course, you’ve received some unavoidable hints. If you’re looking to surprise your loved on and unsure of what to get, I would recommend seriously considering the Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art.

It’s pretty universal - can be used for portraits, great on walks outdoors, gives a buttery background blur, when used for this purpose, wide enough for exploring...

And it is a bit of a favourite in the photography world - I am yet to meet anyone, that’s tried it and wasn’t a fan.

Education

No matter the stage of their journey, anyone can benefit from education. It might be Beginner Lessons on how to use the camera or editing, it might be a mentoring session with their favorite photographer. It might be a day’s workshop with someone who does photography in a completely different style (because it’s always fun to try something different!) or a ticket to a Photography Convention!

Surprise the photographer in your life, ask them or take a direct request, I bet this gift of enlightenment will go down a storm!

Photo Frame

Similar to the photo album above, I am a huge advocate of printing anyway and every time I take delivery or prints (my personal work or client images), I take a moment to admire the way they look and feel (!). So you can tuck some of the prints away into an album and display some of your favourites around the house - in a kick a- frame!

You can, of course gift a frame with a print already in it or let your special someone choose their own.

How bad a- are these guys - Whisky Photo Frames

Digital Photo Frame

Ok, so I’ll compromise with you.

Imagine you had a session with me.

You receive 20 photos and just love them all and have to have them all on display... this is when you are ‘ok’ to not print them out, but have stored and displayed in a digital frame!

I actually find myself mesmerised by the ever-changing images of our family on my TV as I have it set to switch on a ‘screensaver’ from Flickr, so it’s a similar idea and is just magical.

Fingerless Gloves

Yep - that simple! You can not go wrong with some hand-warmers - especially for those of us working outdoors!

My choice is Turtle Doves Fingerless Gloves - not only do they recycle cashmere jumpers to create their beautiful gloves, they have a vast variety of colors available to choose from - so why not go the extra mile and order them in brand colors? Too far? I think not!

Quirky T

Check out this creative resource for some of the most fun pho-tees (get it?) I’ve seen around!

Us photo-lovers appreciate a good pun and you just can never go wrong with a gift of quality humour!

Hope my list of suggestions has inspired you and one thing for sure - no matter what you chose to gift to your special someone - whether from this list or not, they will appreciate the gesture, you recognising their passion and your support for what they love.

Good on you for being a thoughtful gifter!

 

Chtefan. Photography is a family lifestyle portrait and commercial business photographer based in Laurencekirk, Aberdeen - Scotland.

I specialise in beautiful, natural photography of children and families and professional and environmental portraits and headshots.

Chtefan. Photography covers the following areas: Montrose, Inverbervie, Arbroath, Ellon, Westhill, Banchory, greater Aberdeenshire and Angus region and would be delighted to travel on both national and international assignments.


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