Shopping for photographers can be tricky. The BPW is made up of real working professionals and we’ve compiled this list of useful items photographers can actually use. If you want to skip the reading you can jump to our Amazon Idea page to see all our recommendations.

The Beginner’s Essentials

Magnus Travel
Tripod :

We deal with tripods A LOT. Many a-tripod has come through our studio and there are plenty of duds. For three years now, the Magnus tripod is a sure-fire winner for beginners and experienced photographers alike. Simple to use, well designed, portable, yet solidly built, this tripod strikes a perfect balance for those who need a tripod on the go, as well as those who may need something sturdy for their photography outings.

Samsung T7 SSD (2TB)

Cameras these days take great photos, but they also eat up a lot of hard drive space on our computers. To keep things organized–the right way–you need an external hard drive. The SanDisk Extreme SSD (solid state drive) is much faster than typical hard drives and ultra portable. Photo organization is essential for enjoying your photography, so if you need some help check out our Organizing Your Photos online class.

Peak Design: Camera Leash

Camera straps can be an after-thought for most folks, but after a while you realize how important they become to your everyday photography. Peak Design is one of the leading creators of camera accessories (and for good reason). Their camera straps are thoughtfully designed, well made, and survive the test of time. We like the “Leash” but there are several options for different size cameras.

Accessories to help intermediates take the next step

Photo Book by
Henry Carroll

A lot of photo books are long winded, or have little to share in terms of education. Henry Carroll’s “Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs” is the perfect balance between photo instruction and inspiration. With simple explanations of photographic techniques and ideas, this book is an excellent read for photographers of any skill level.

Godex Camera Flash

New and experienced photographers alike often struggle to use camera flashes. These auxiliary lights can be confusing at first, but with the right know-how these tools open up endless possibilities for creative photography. This model ditches unnecessary features that you won’t need, and makes the price incredible. The BPW actually uses these in our workshop, Flash For Beginners, so join us if you’d like to learn how and why flashes are a must-have tool for photographers.

Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom

Photography is more than just taking photos. Seasoned photographers know the importance of editing and the creative possibilities it opens up. Adobe Lightroom is our top pick for beginners and advanced photographers alike. With desktop, and mobile versions that include unmatched editing tools, Lightroom sits atop the list of best editing programs available.

For those who seem to have everything:

Capture Clip

Having your camera ready and on hand can be challenging. Sometimes a shoulder strap just doesn’t make sense. This accessory allows you to clip your camera to a bag strap, backpack or even a belt. Bonus: the mount also doubles as a tripod plate for arca-swiss tripods. We’ve been using the capture clip for about 4 years now and really enjoy it. We’ve already shared our thoughts on Peak Design as a brand, so it should go without saying that this tool is high quality, well built and fun to use.

Tech Pouch

Digital photography seems to require so many small accessories that easily get lost in your larger camera bag. To help keep things tidy (and not lost!) a tech pouch is an excellent accessory to help you stay organized and focus on the creative part of photography. For chargers, memory cards, or headphones, this handy bag is a perfect addition to your camera or laptop bag.

Lens Wraps

Cameras are designed to get tossed around; lenses however need a little more TLC. Instead of tossing your extra lens loosey-goosey in your bag, consider a lens wrap. These simple accessories help take care of the unsung hero of your photography. We like Tenba’s offerings as they make excellent bags and have demonstrated high quality design in the past.

Thoughtful gifts for everyone

Aura Digital Picture Frame

After making all of those hard-earned photos, you should show them off! Aura makes some amazing frames that are intuitive to use and, dare I say, enjoyable. With unlimited cloud storage, an easy to use smartphone app, sharing options for family or friends, this frame has now been gifted to 4 family members. Worth the price and highly recommended.

Photographer’s Mittens

Often overlooked by new photographers, fingerless gloves are a must have when photographing in winter. Nothing compares to the warmth of a mitten, so this combination is perfect for those brave enough to photograph in the colder seasons.

Dust Remover-Rocket Blower

We’ve all been there. You just photographed something awesome, and when you get the photo on a computer, what do you see? A big grey dust spot ruining your perfect shot. Dust is a serious nuisance that can get on your camera’s sensor from taking on and off the lens. This handy tool helps easily remove dust inside your camera without needing to touch the delicate inner-workings, and is an essential part of any budding photographers kit.