30+ Gifts for Beginner Photographers
Looking for photography gift ideas for someone who is just starting out with photography? We’ve put together a list of gifts for beginner photographers to help adults and kids take the next step in their photography journey.
The list below includes camera gear, “how-to” photography books, journals, log books, photo challenges, and photo ideas all geared toward the beginner photographer!

You’ll find 30+ photography gift ideas for adults and kids who are learning about photography. This list should help you find the perfect item(s) for the beginner photographer on your list!
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Photography Equipment For Beginners
Check out these photography gear lists featuring best cameras, tripods, and accessories that make wonderful gifts!
- Best Cameras for Beginners
- Vlogging Cameras for Beginners
- Camera Accessories Every Photographer Must Have
- Lightweight Travel Tripods
Camera Gear at B&H Photo
Resources for Beginner Photographers
Photo Challenges and Games for Kids
- 4 Seasons Photo Challenge Printables
- 4 Seasons Photo Scavenger Hunt Cards
- National Park Photo Scavenger Hunt
Gifts for Beginner Photographers
Photography Books for Beginners
The Beginner's Photography Guide will help you find your inner photographer:
- Takes you through every technique you need to create stunning images.
- Easy-to-follow layout and step-by-step and tutorials.
- Handy checklists with a quick rundown of the equipment and camera settings.
- Hundreds of inspirational images to motivate you to reach your goal.
In a series of short lessons, Sartore explains the basics, from choosing a camera and gear to understanding focus, exposure, composition, and lighting. Using examples from his own work, he applies the basic rules of photography to family, pet, travel, nature, and street photos, and how to get a great shot with the camera on your smartphone.
Inside DSLR Photography for Beginners you’ll discover:
- An introduction to DSLR photography
- How to choose the right DSLR camera for you
- Different types of DSLR cameras
- Camera overviews
- Lenses explained
- Different camera filters
- Taking a photograph with your DSLR
- Storing your photographs
- Editing your photographs & much more!
Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs contains no graphs, no techie diagrams and no camera–club jargon. Instead, it inspires readers through iconic images and playful copy, packed with hands–on tips. Split into five sections, the book covers composition, exposure, light, lenses and the art of seeing.
This jargon–free introduction covers all aspects of photographing places, including landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, and interiors. Whatever your camera, interest, or skill level, this indispensable photography guide gives you all the essential techniques and demystifies the work of acclaimed photographers. Packed with practical tips and iconic images, this accessible book will teach everything you need to take meaningful pictures of the places that matter to you most.
The difference between this book and other "intro to photography" guides is that this one is set up as a path to follow rather than just a cursory list of concepts and options. It will make you a better photographer in a much shorter time. As an added bonus, you'll find free videos and tutorials at Outdoor Photo Academy to build upon the foundation provided in this book.
This book will:
- Save you a great deal of time and money by telling you what you need to know and how to maximize your efforts.
- Help you take better pictures and know why they are better.
- Present the details and language of digital photography without intimidation or confusing terminology – all terms are clearly defined and explained.
- Significantly accelerate your photographic learning curve.
Beginner Photography Books for Kids
This book about photography for kids includes:
- Photography fundamentals―Discover how a camera works, a brief history of photography, what makes a photo good, and a checklist for getting started.
- Example photos―Explore high-quality photographs that illustrate the concepts you’re learning and inspire you to get creative.
- Tips ―Find pointers that explain the technical details of great photos and show you ways to make adjustments in a variety of real-life situations.
In the age of smartphones and selfies, why not learn from the pros how to take great photos to share with friends and family! Here's a fun, fact-filled, kid-friendly guide that is jam-packed with all the essentials for budding photographers. From how to set up a shot and stage the lighting and from the best software to short assignments, you'll learn all the important photographic concepts and basics of equipment, lighting aperture, lenses, depth of field, and more.
In Photo Adventures for Kids, your child will learn all about:
- Composition
- Framing
- Perspective
- Leading lines
- Subject placement
- And much more!
This book is specifically geared for kids from 7 to 16 years of age, but it will appeal to beginning photographers of all ages. It presumes the reader has only a rudimentary understanding of the subject matter. More importantly, it presumes the reader has only basic equipment to work with.
Online Photography Classes for Kids
- Take better photos with any camera you have
- Shoot better photos with basic composition skills
- Learn the basic history and technique of photography
- Practice basic photography skills over 12 weeks of lessons
- Students will have a good understanding of how to utilize real-world photography concepts to improve their photography skills, thus improving the overall quality of their photos.
- 10-15 weeks of fun projects make this the perfect course for beginners to learn how to use a camera properly and take creative photos!
- This Digital Photography Course is designed to provide self-directed and advanced instruction and knowledge of digital photography.
- Students will learn how to take well composed photographs using their own digital cameras.
- Students will learn about different types of photography out there
- Emphasis will be placed on basic camera handling skills and compositional guidelines.
- This is the perfect photography course for anyone wanting to learn more about how to use a camera/smart phone camera and ways to take great shots!
- Most importantly, students will know how to take creative and unique photos and have fun doing it!
Photography Ideas and Challenges
- two pages dedicated to each challenge, leaving you enough room for your notes
- there is no time limit to the challenge, you can start it any time
- challenges include street photography, black and white photography, photography with flash and much, much more...
- handy size: 7 x 10 inch / 17.8 x 25.4 cm
- glossy finish softcover
This challenge book consists of 110 exercises & ideas that offers an in-depth approach and practical guide to inspire & motivate any photographer to get out and capture great photos. Also included are sections to record camera settings for each shot, notes section, and Photo holder.
- Includes 72 idea cards, each with a unique photography theme/challenge
- Each card has a hashtag, allowing you to share your photos on social media and see what others did for the same photo mission
The Photographer's Playbook features photography assignments, as well as ideas, stories and anecdotes from many of the world's most talented photographers and photography professionals. Inside you will find advice for better shooting and editing, creative ways to start new projects, games and activities
50 Photo Projects shows you how to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Packed with invaluable tips on how to create stunning photographs, Lee Frost provides the bright ideas that will reinvigorate your photography, from inspiration on what to photograph, to inventive projects with vintage, pinhole and toy cameras.
Photography Journals and Log Books
- 6 x 9 inch notebook.
- 120 lined pages.
- Take notes, write down ideas, keep track of projects, make lists, or journal.
Use This if You Want to Take Great Photographs is packed with fun photography prompts and inspiring images by master photographers so you can get creative with your camera. Create your own highly personal photobook by sticking in your pictures with the adhesive corners provided or simply dip in and out when you're stuck for ideas.
- 6"x9" size
- 110 pages
Each photo review page includes the following prompts:
- DATE
- TIME
- SUBJECT
- WEATHER CONDITIONS
- CAMERA EQUIPMENT NOTES
Photographer's log is for you to note the most important details when in the field on a long day or multiple day shoots.
- Photographer Journal
- 6"X9"
- 120 Pages
- Cover Finish: Beautiful Matte Cover
- Dimensions: (6" x 9") Inches
- Interior: White Paper
- Pages: 120
- Photographer Notebook Journal
- 100 Pages
- 6x9 Inches