Awesome Gifts for Every Budget!
With the holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time for a thorough review of my favorite photography-related items! Also… I am so excited to make a very special announcement related to this: I’m offering my first photography workshop in January!
Full details will be forthcoming, but the workshop, “Blessed Beginnings: Learning to Control Your DSLR,” will take place on Saturday, January 12, from 10-3 p.m. with a light lunch served. Topics we’ll cover will include: intro to basic (but mystifying!) photography terms like aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and how they relate to your camera, figuring out white balance, basics of composition and lighting, and lots of hands-on time (with models!) to practice with your camera. I’m limiting this first class to only six participants so I can be sure to be able to help each of you individually. Cost is $100 and includes our lunch. I’m taking reservations now… and gift-givers, I can keep a secret well, so if you want to surprise someone with this class, give me a call! I am *so* excited to offer this to all of you!
now offering introductory DSLR classes in Covington & Maple Valley, WA! 206.818.2009, sara@saraarrigoniphotography.com
Now onto the rest of the gift guide!!!
I’ve divided it into a few major categories: education, equipment & software, fashion, frivoloties, and super-cheap apps! (NOTE: all pics below are from the companies listed… they are not my images 
Also, just to be clear, I received no reimbursement for endorsing these products, and these people don’t even know they’re being featured!
EDUCATION
1. My class! :) As I said above, $100 will get you a great introduction to your DSLR, so that you can finally feel in control of your camera! Book today.
2. Within the Frame by David duChemin, $24.29: almost anything by David duChemin is great, but I particularly like this book. Though geared toward travel photography, he offers a ton of both practical and philosophical tips on how to compose your photos and tell your stories more effectively.
3. 
Your Baby in Pictures by MeRa Koh, $13.59: my go-to baby shower gift now, this is a great gift for any new parent. Filled with “photo recipes” giving easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to capture magical photos of your baby, you can also take the tips in this book and apply them to kids of all ages.
EQUIPMENT
1. Nikon D3200 bundle with lenses and assorted goodies, $780 now after $200 instant rebate: If you don’t yet have a DSLR, this Nikon D3200 bundle is a great “starter” set. With two lenses covering a wide range of focal lengths, this kit gives everything you need to start on your DSLR adventure!
2. Nikon 50 mm f/1.8 AF-S lens, $217: If you do not yet have a good portrait lens that can do those “buttery” blurry backgrounds, this is my #1 recommendation (or the Canon equivalent if you shoot with Canon). My 50 mm stays on my camera for 90% of my work. Note: this particular model is compatible with all the Nikon DSLRs. Some DSLRs with an internal focus motor can accommodate the cheaper “AF” (not AF-S) version of the lens, so check your camera compatibility online before you purchase if you want to save some money!
If you want to splurge a bit more, I really love the f/1.4 version of the lens, but it’s a couple hundred dollars more than the f/1.8 equivalent.
3. Luma Labs Cinch camera strap, $70: I loved the Luma predecessors to this strap, but this one is really great too! The Cinch is a sling-style camera strap that allows you to “cinch” your camera close to your body when needed, then do a quick pull to loosen the strap for shooting. This is particularly great when shooting in crowds, when carrying a camera while hiking or outdoors, and generally just is wonderful for keeping your camera from banging against your side or dangling from your neck awkwardly. I do think it runs slightly large, so check out their size chart and plan accordingly.
4. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4, $110 currently from Amazon, reduced from $150: Available for both Mac and Windows, this software is an “everything you need” lifesaver, perfect for both organizing and editing your photos. Aperture 3 is a worthy alternative if you’re a Mac user (available for $80 from the App Store), but Lightroom 4 is used by most in the photography industry, so there are lots of tutorials and support available online, even from youtube. Perfect for both pros and personal users alike.
5. ExpoImaging’s Expodisc (82 or 77 mm neutral disc recommended), $105: Anyone who has come to our photo gatherings has heard me sing the praises of the Expodisc. I cannot say enough how this has revolutionized the color and perfect exposure that I get now in camera, before any post-processing. This custom white balance tool is just awesome, and has become one of the most vital tools in my camera bag. Get the 82 or 77 mm neutral disc, so that it will fit over any of your current or future lenses.
FASHION
1. JoTotes camera bags, $87-119 (styles vary): JoTotes makes super cute, feminine bags that still promise to protect your gear. Priced actually on the lower end of the “fashion camera” bag scale, these are well-padded bags, particularly if you don’t need a ton of pockets or “extras.” I have the rose one for when I am toting ALL my gear, and it is a big one! The Millie and Betsy bags are smaller, designed to hold your DSLR and an extra lens, or DSLR plus extras like a wallet.
2. CheekyLime bags, $98-127 (styles vary): I don’t own a CheekyLime bag, but I’ve gazed from afar at my friend’s and it is SO cute. Their new canvas bags are also cute (I like the orange!), and because they specialize in larger bags, this is the one to check out if you are a “carry everything with you” type of girl.
3. Kelly Moore bags, $169-249 (styles vary): So as you might have noticed, I like bags. But in my opinion, the Kelly Moore Two Sues bag ($199, pictured left) is *the* bag to end all camera bags. What does the little bit more that you spend with Kelly Moore get you? Perfection. Period. The Two Sues has just the right amount of space for a reasonable amount of gear for my portrait sessions, room for an iPad or e-reader, plus perfect pocket placement on the outside. That large pocket on the front with a flap? Yep, holds my Expodisc just right! And the large pocket on the back has room for tons of memory cards, credit cards, and cash, so I can leave my wallet at home. I know right where everything is in my bag at all times, making me a more efficient (and therefore professional) shooter. Love this bag.
AND… Kelly Moore has a special code on Black Friday for $25 off any bag with code BLACKFRIDAY25. Discounts are infrequent on her bags, so grab it on Black Friday if you can!
4. Freehands gloves, $25. These gloves are awesome for photographers in cold weather climates. The tips of both the index and thumb can be peeled back for easy camera use, while the rest of your hand is covered and toasty (both hands work this way, so it’s equally good for righties or lefties). They offer a ton of options now ranging from $20-80 for the fancy leather, but the $25 microfur has served me well.
5. Lisa Leonard Through My Lens necklace, $38. A cute camera necklace for the shutterbug in your life! Plus Lisa Leonard is pretty much just awesome… I encourage you to follow her blog if you need regular doses of beauty and encouragement!
FRIVOLITIES
1. Poulain camera tape dispenser, $24. Because it’s just so darn cute! Does anyone need a camera tape dispenser? No… but it sure does bring a smile when it’s sitting on your desk!
2. Project Life items, price varies. Do you know a photography lover who never quite manages to actually get their books into a scrapbook? Or perhaps they have a ton of supplies and the best of intentions, but they just can’t seem to get it all together. Well, Becky Higgins’ Project Life is the perfect gift for that person! For around $40 you can purchase all the components of your kit, with comes with binder, page protectors with pre-sized slots for photos and journaling cards, as well as the journaling cards themselves–all in color-coordinated forms, so you have everything you need to start designing your scrapbook today… with no muss and no fuss. No cutting or selecting from bagillions of choices at the scrapbook store. This is scrapbooking made easy!
THE SUPER-CHEAP OPTION: IPHONE APPS
So, your budget may not be expansive this year, but these are friendly for even very tight budgets! Gift an iPhone app.
1. Camera Awesome, free! In my opinion, one of the best camera apps available for an iPhone, and completely free! From the makers of Smugmug comes this “awesome” app, which gives lots of tools to make your iPhone pictures just a bit better. Composition guides, easy sharing, and one-click “awesomize” options.
2. Pocketbooth, $1. I have just a touch of a nostalgic side, and Pocketbooth makes me happy. This app enables you to create old-school photobooth style strips with either three or four photos. Just a fun little app!
3. ProHDR, $2. This app particularly works well on landscapes, and adds just a touch of HDR oomph to make your photos shine!
I hope you’ve all found something for your holiday wishlist! Did I miss any of *your* favorite items? Let me know in the comments! And please, share this post with all of your camera-toting friends!