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Best Gifts for Photographers & Videographers
Welcome to our Video & Photography Holiday Gift Guide from No Sleep New York! This Holiday Gift Guide is specifically aimed at those who are buying for Artists who are video creators. Some of the gifts on the guide are great for the novice videographer, while others are great for the more experienced creator. We have collected our top 11 best tech gadgets for videography and photography this 2019 holiday season. Like what you see? Check out our other Artist Holiday Gift Guides, categorized by subject in our Gift Guide Hub!
This gift guide isn’t for the faint of heart. While we feel the prices of the items below are reasonable for the value they bring, photography and videography can be expensive trades to pursue. Keep in mind that Black Friday 2019 and Cyber Monday 2019 are right around the corner. Add these items to your wish list and check back for even better sales later this month!
Disclaimer
Just so you know, this Video & Photography Holiday Gift Guide contains some affiliate links. When a purchase is made through our affiliate link, we make a small commission from each purchase. It does not cost you any more to use affiliate links (it may even cost you less if you use ours)! Affiliate links help to support No Sleep New York and allow us to continue building this platform and making helpful articles like this for our readers. Keep an eye out for a few reviews on the items below that we will be dropping soon on NSNY!
Please note: Prices are subject to change. This article was published on November 13th, 2019. We will do our best to update any price changes we encounter.
Adobe CC Editing Software- $19.99/mo +
There's no way around it: you need reliable video editing software. How else are you going to show off your amazing work? Adobe has incredibly powerful programs to choose from to help you along your video editing journey. They also have plenty more to choose from that you may find you'll need during the creative process, such as Premiere Rush (mobile editing), and Audition (audio mixing). For the Photographers out there, Adobe CC apps such as Photoshop and Lightroom will be a Godsend. Students and teachers can get a 60% discount with a valid .edu email and pay only $19.99/mo, or $239.99/yr. If you can't snag that discount and cost is an issue, opt for paying for only the apps you will absolutely need to start. Video and photo editing apps start as low at $9.99/mo.
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SmugMug Photography Portfolio Website – $48/yr+
If you're a serious photographer looking to spread the word about your business, having a professional online portfolio is important. With SmugMug, photographers can easily design a website. SmugMug sets you up with the right tools to succeed. Share your work, sell prints, and enjoy unlimited cloud storage when you create an account. Our Co-Founder Sara has used SmugMug for her professional photography website for over 5 years and highly recommends them. Plans run monthly or annually. Save 33% when you purchase the annual option for as low as $48/year. Save an additional 15% after your 14-day free trial when using the No Sleep New York link below!
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Neewer Allumium Tripod with Quick Release and Smooth Swivel – $95.99
A staple in anyone's photography or videography kit should be a high-quality tripod. This 61-inch tripod is made with aluminum alloy and has a smooth 360 degree swivel head to capture fluid movements with ease. Coming in at 13.2 lbs, it also has a convenient quick-release plate that is compatible with DSLR's, mirrorless cameras, or any filming device you wish to use. Its three-point level spreader and no-slip feet create stability while you work. Its mid-range price point makes it a fantastic option for those looking to own sturdy, quality gear without breaking the bank. Buy this tripod for $95.99 this holiday season!
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Zoom H5 Four-Track Portable Recorder – $279.99
Zoom recorders are cult classics in the videography industry. This powerful and portable recorder uses a system of interchangeable input capsules that are easy to swap out as needed. It also has four-track simultaneous recording, which includes a built-in speaker of 400mw 8 Ω mono. This recorder also stores up to 34GB of data directly to SD/SDHC. Beyond all of this, this device boasts many more impressive specs. Several product options are available when deciding on your purchase. Buy the Zoom H5 alone for $279.99, the Zoom H5 with Samson Headphones for $320.46, or the Zoom H5 Accessory Pack (including a "dead cat" wind muff) for $329.98.
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Rode Shotgun VideoMic with Fuzzy Wind Muff Kit – $319.99
If you're serious about creating videos, then a microphone may very well be something you're in the market for. If the Zoom H5 doesn't quite fit your needs, then this Rode Shotgun Mic kit may fit the bill. These mics tend to be best in situations where someone is speaking directly to the camera and microphone. This Rode mic comes with a wind muff, AKA a "dead cat" to help muffle loud wind noises when recording outside. "Hissing" tends to be an issue when it comes down to microphone recording, and the reviews for this Rode applaud its ability to diminish the hiss very well. Grab this highly rated video microphone for $319.99 this holiday season!
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Apple iPad Mini – $384
Artists often gravitate toward Apple products, making the latest iPad Mini a great choice. Endless possibilities await with this sophisticated tablet. Whether they're or on-the-go editing with Adobe's mobile apps, or using it to fly their new drone (see below), there's no way that they won't find this awesome tablet useful. Get yours today for $384.
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Moza Air 2 Gimbal with iFocus M and Hard Shell Carrying Case – $599
An item that we own and love is the Moza Air 2 Gimbal stabilizer by Gudsen. If you've been searching for ways to create fluid, cinematographic movements while filming, the Moza Air is (in our well-researched and humble opinion) the best gimbal on the market in 2019. In a pinch, use this gimbal as a short tripod to steady photographic shots. We highly suggest giving YouTube a visit to watch actual footage and reviews of this incredible device. It's something you'll definitely want to experience for yourself once you see its full capabilities. Be warned: there is a huge learning curve when using gimbals for the first time. If you're serious about improving your craft though, the Moza Air 2 is a must. If you or your loved one have been in the market for one of the absolute best tech gadgets for videography, you won't want to miss the current holiday promotion. Right now, the Moza Air 2 is having an amazing sale, which includes the iFocus device for $599.
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MOZA Professional Camera Backpack – $199
We're going a little out of order price-wise on this guide, but for good reason. If a Moza Air 2 is on Santa's wish list, then the Moza Professional Camera backpack really is a no-brainer. After literally months of in-depth research, we discovered (and then concluded) that this backpack is the only backpack that was capable of fitting our Moza Air 2, along with all our other devices (like our DJI Mavic 2 Pro, and Sony Alpha a6400 camera, both which are on this list). It happens to be one of the largest on the market, standing at almost 20 inches tall, about 13 inches wide, and 7 inches deep. It is TSA approved and when we traveled to the Azores (who have very strict carry-on size limits), we passed through the carry-on baggage screening without any issues. The backpack is a bit pricier than one might have liked, but given the fact that there isn't much else out there that's perfect for a full photo and video kit with a gimbal, it's absolutely worth the money. It is also safely padded and sits extremely well on the back when worn. Purchase the Moza Professional Camera Backpack for $199 this holiday season.
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4K Mirrorless Sony Alpha a6400 with 16-50mm Lens – $998
The Sony Alpha a6400 is one of the latest additions to the Sony Alpha family. This mirrorless 4K camera is lightweight and compact, making it the perfect traveling camera. Don't let the term "traveling camera" fool you though. Despite its compact design, there is no compromise in quality for this 24.4 MP APS-C sensor mirrorless camera. Shoot up to 30fps in 4K video. The Sony a6400 is loaded with other incredible features, one being its stellar autofocus system. We personally own the Sony Alpha a6400 after deciding to downsize from our large Canon DSLR and it has been an amazing asset to our work. This is why it's the perfect addition to our Video & Photography Holiday Gift Guide! Snag this camera with a 16-50mm Lens for $998.
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DJI Mavic 2 Pro – $1,439 to $2,199
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the ultimate gift for any photo or video creator. There are two editions to this aircraft: the Mavic 2 Pro, and the Mavic 2 Zoom. Fly almost 400 feet above the ground while recording 4K video with this incredible quad-copter drone. Take crisp 20mp images while getting 30 minutes of flight time per battery. With its 3-axis gimbal technology, achieving smooth and stable footage is a breeze. This aircraft is fantastic for travel. We personally own the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and can't recommend it enough. This drone by DJI is the most expensive item on our video and photography holiday gift guide, but in our opinion, it is worth every single penny. Buy the Mavic 2 Pro for $1,729, or the Mavic 2 Zoom for $1,439. If this drone is a little out of the budget, DJI has a brand new addition to the family: the Mavic Mini for $399. Find the Mavic Mini at the bottom of this article!
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Wrapping Up
That wraps up the Photography & Videography edition of our 2019 Video & Photography Holiday Gift Guide. Make sure to check out our other Holiday Gift Guides this season to discover all of the hottest gadgets on the market. Already own and love any of these products? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your experiences!
