There is so much out there for the photographer, and every moment it seems that something else breaks the news. This year I have collected some ideas for every budget.

1)    Books – The Scott Kelby Digital Photography Book set is amazing. Each page is an easy to do instruction. Comes as a book set that is one of the easiest to follow out there. It will transform your photography. Full of tricks, gear selection, approaches, he makes it so easy to learn!

2)     Jobo Geo Data attachment – This cool device attaches to the top of your camera in the hot shoe. Each time you take a photograph it pegs the geographical location and matches it to the photo. Perfect for the traveler.

3)     Gorilla Pod – This is still a hot item and they have expanded the gorilla pod line, something for every camera with every lens. Cute, rugged, dependable, it’s a perfect traveler’s tripod.

4)     Rain Sleeves – Some of the best images take place in the least camera-friendly conditions. This protects your camera so you can get the shot. I have used this on the beach, in pouring rain; it has been a lifesaver!

5)     Hoodman LCD Magnifier Hood – LCD are a challenge in bright light. The LCD magnifier not only makes it dark for viewing, but it magnifies it for a better view. Hoodman also carry hoods for laptops, camcorders and other handy hoods.

6)     Camera Lens Mug – It won’t work on the camera but it is such a neat thing for the camera geek. Just don’t stick it on your camera when it’s full. This is on my personal gift list.

7)     Flash Benders – There is a whole host of these light shapers for the on-camera flash. They make the flash output softer and more flattering. It’s quick to attach, small to pack, but huge in the image quality improvement.

8)    Your last lens strap, the BlackRapid Camera Sling – This is the one I personally use. It places the camera, with lens, low on your bum, a bit like a gunfighter. It’s a quick draw to photography, huge improvement over the neck straps. Stops all that annoying bouncing around, and they have some videos so you can see it in action.

9)     Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 – Elements 9 has come a long way. It’s now very easy to use, being designed for the consumer market. It has all the key tools that you need to make wow ‘em digital images, specifically the Layers and Actions features. Plus you can buy 3rd party plug-in products to make things even better. The best part is the price: under $100 in most online stores.

10)    Photoshop and elements 9 plugin – Two of the best ones are OnOne’s Perfect Photo Suite 5.5 and Nik Software Suite of Effects. These are both a mainstay in my workflow. The effects they create are stunning, and all created by clicking a few buttons. You will be making art in no time.

Okay, so we do have an 11th, your bonus gift idea, and it’s something special from us.

11)     Gift Certificate from Inner Spirit Photography for your photographer – I am very proud of this one; your photographer friends will get a lot out of it. We have gifts for 2-hour seminars, to full week all-inclusive workshops in Italy. From photography, cameras, and Photoshop/Elements courses, I can enrich your photographer’s abilities.

See also: 13 Inspirational Camera Accessory Gifts

After you have the camera, it’s the accessories that make things interesting, and often easier. Some accessories are just cool, others are essential, but all of them are perfectly timely for under the evergreen tree. So here are some of my gift ideas for your photographer, or as a nudge idea for yourself. You can find most of these at your local camera store or online.

1. Bigger Faster Memory Cards. The slowest link in your digital camera is the speed the camera can transfer your image data to your memory card. So look at upgrading to a faster card. With the cameras producing bigger files, a larger capacity card also helps. Stay away from non brand names, though. These are your precious images, and if the card corrupts, they are lost. Look for Sandisk, PNY, Lexar as examples.

2. Memory Card Readers. The safest and quickest way to get images off your memory card and into your computer is with a memory card reader. It connects with a usb or firewire (faster still), and your computer sees it as a new drive so it’s just drag and drop. You can get readers that take multiple types of cards. Companies that make memory cards also make the readers and third parties like Belkin do, too.

3. The Gorilla Tripod. This is one fun tripod; they come in different sizes, so 35mm to pocket cameras can work with them. The Gorilla tripods wrap around nearly anything, holding your camera secure. Plus, they are so goofy-looking they have fun appeal. They fit into pretty much any camera back so they are easy to pack along.

4. Rain Cover. These are really cheap stocking stuffers that will free your camera spirit into the all weather. Designed more for the 35mm camera user, they accommodate even long lenses. They can also double as a safe place to change lenses or memory cards in adverse situations where you don’t want dust and dirt getting into your camera. Optech is a common brand found in most stores.

5. Infrared Camera Conversion. Ever wonder what to do with that old pocket camera? Companies like Precision Camera can do that for you. This is real infrared, not the questionable software creations. Oddly, I am told it works best with pocket cameras.

6. LCD Hoodloupe. You may not have heard of this, but is it ever handy. A company called Hoodman makes them but most camera stores carry them now, too. They cover your LCD screen in bright sunlight, and they usually have a magnifier as well so the image is bigger. For shooting outdoors, it is a great tool.

7. Rapid Camera Strap. This is so cool. Rather than having a camera bouncing on your chest or secured away in a camera bag, this strap tucks it in behind your bum, ready to grab and pull up for a shot. It is a brilliant design. Blackrapid invented it but some others have copied it. Some camera stores carry it. They have a fun video that shows it off.

8. Sling Camera Case. The one I use is from Lowepro. Good for the 35mm user, it’s a perfect size, has dividers for lenses, and you can have your camera with a lens on it set inside. To access it, you slide it easily around from your back to your front, open the quick zipper, pull out the camera, and shoot.

9. The Monopod. Doubles as a walking stick. One of the most well thought out monopods is the Trek-tech pod. They have a full range for nearly every budget. There are a lot of other brands out there.

10. Digital Picture Frames. Once you have the image, you need to show it. The digital frame has really grown up. They come in all sizes; some connect wirelessly to your computer or the Internet. You just load the images at that source and the images change on your frame. Fun approach for far away family. You can also buy older frames at cheap prices at discount stores. Some are even battery operated for on the go.

11. Home Printers. While there are the expensive large print printers, there is also a huge range of 4×5 printers. Small and portable, they kick out waterproof, fingerproof prints. Be careful, though, some can seem cheap but really add up. The cheapest prints come from the Canon Selphy cp780. They are less than the cost from a lab.

12. Imaging Software. The whole point of digital is tinkering with the image. While Photoshop is king for most, it is overkill and expensive. For the average user you have Adobe Elements, Apple iPhoto, along with others, most under $200. A web search of Free Imaging Software will turn up lots of free software like Photoplus. Programs like Elements and iPhoto have output options like books, emails, and websites.

13. Gift Cards. Yes, the approach of last resort. Pretty much every camera store and online company offers Gift Cards. When you know they want camera stuff but you have no idea what cool gadget they desire, go for this.

Have fun, and may your photos always be the perfect moment!