Father’s Day Gifts for Photographer Dads

The easiest dads to find Father’s Day presents for might just be photographers. For starters, there’s almost no end to the well-built and practical accessories they need or want for their cameras. Additionally, new lenses and cameras are always available, so a quick check of the Photography section on the B&H Photo Video website might be the best way to spark an idea for a gift. If not, I’ve asked several bona fide photographer dads and former guests of the B&H Photography Podcast to share what they’d like this year; perhaps their ideas will serve as inspiration for your dad, too.

Michael Sanders

Fashion photographer Michael Sanders has been on the podcast twice to speak about British fashion photography of the ’90s and to discuss the collaboration between photographer and model. Sanders's work has appeared in most every major fashion magazine, and he is a regular shooter for Italian Elle. He also does video work, including cool “GoSees” on YouTube, so he put aside his need for the Canon EOS R5 and chose the dream—the incredible Canon EOS C300 Mark III Digital Cinema Camera. I look forward to the video work, Michael.

Stefan Falke

Along with artist Monica Lozano, Stefan Falke joined us for an insightful conversation about artists and photographers working along the U.S.–Mexican border. Falke is a multi-talented photographer, but his long-term project, La Frontera, is a must-see. When I asked him about this year’s Father’s Day, he answered, “I would love to take pictures of everyone who crosses my path with my new Nikon D850 camera. But this is still a dream; I will hug my wife (and my daughter, if she weren’t in Florida), and I will walk around New York taking pictures with my trusted but worn-out D810 as I did for several weeks while working on my project, ‘Keep Going New York.’”

Michael Young

Michael G. Young is a proud father to daughter Nya and a mentor to many other children wanting to learn photography. He joined us for a conversation on “community photography” and what that means to him in his New York neighborhood. It was an inspiring episode. His Father’s Day hope: “As a black father/photographer, when I'm out shooting, especially news and documentary, and having to hope I'll make it home, that is something I wish no one should experience. I'm still using the FUJIFILM X-T1, and while I'm grateful that it’s still working, it’s showing its age and giving me a hard time. The grip on the camera is all but gone, which makes holding it difficult, so I’d like the FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera to document all the positive changes that will be coming.”

FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera — FUJIFILM X-T4 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Joseph Holmes

If you ask me, Joseph O. Holmes is a photographic magician—he can make anything look and feel interesting, and his episode of the podcast, for which his wife photographer and lawyer Sara Bennett also joined, was sheer joy. Not surprisingly, Holmes had a hard time pinning down just one photo accessory he wanted for Father’s Day (good luck, Sara!), but I narrowed it down for him: a new Domke F-3X Shoulder Bag. He commented, “Rather than stiff, uncomfortable nylon or plastic, Domke makes a simple bag of canvas, a thick fabric that gradually molds itself to the side of my body as I wear it. The F-3X bag is the perfect size to hold my DSLR with attached lens, plus an additional lens in an adjacent pocket, as well as accessories like my coffee thermos.” Thanks Joseph. “Oh, and be sure to get a circular polarizing filter if your dad shoots around water!”

Last, I’d like to mention my own Father’s Day wish, as I am blessed with two wonderful kids who read all of my articles (eye roll). I’m normally a Nikon DSLR shooter but recently picked up a used Sony a6500, which has been employed mostly for street photography and everyday carry. I started with a modest lens just to test if the camera was the one for me, and having grown comfortable with it, I am looking to upgrade my lens to the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens, which provides the wide 24mm equivalent focal distance and a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture. So, in addition to the hopes and gifts mentioned by my friends above, and a couple of nice hugs from my kids, this new lens will be a wonderful Father’s Day present.