Photographers are some of the most complicated people to holiday shop for, as it can take time to determine the best equipment for someone looking in from the outside. Luckily for you, you’ve come to the right place, where we’ll be covering some of the best lighting gifts for portrait and studio photographers.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from reflectors to softboxes and even some color and light shapers, the best lighting gifts for portrait photographers. Let’s look at some of our favorite picks for your holiday shopping needs this season.
Glow ParaSnap 24” Beauty Dish Softbox
This 24” octagonal ParaSnap Beauty Dish Softbox is ideal for fashion and portrait photographers and has an easy-open design for quick setup and breakdown. Also, it has a revolutionary SterlingFibre silver lining fabric interior. That helps optimize and maximize light output, eliminating hot spots and light loss.
Best of all, this allows the softbox to perform well when capturing any skin tone, to accurately capture different models. For the photographer who likes to shoot on the go, this is one of the best lighting gifts for photographers. It can function on various monolights with outstanding portability and versatility due to its size and lightning-fast setup speed.
Glow Circular Collapsible Reflector with Handles
Any portrait photographer using natural/studio lighting can never have enough reflectors, especially portable ones. This reflector helps any user shape light how they want. Also, it comes with two ergonomic handles to make it easier to control the light precisely.
A steel frame gives the 52” reflector a sturdy feel. However, it can be folded to a third of its size when you’re done using it. Finally, an included carrying case protects the reflector. It also makes it easy to zip the reflector up and store it in a bag.
Glow EZ Lock Quick Rectangle Softbox
This rectangular softbox is the jack of all trades. That’s because it allows photographers to capture outstanding light on various photographic subjects! The EZ Lock system offers a comfortable grip for your fingers to lock the softbox open and then release it to close. This creates a robust softbox that is quick to set up.
While the rectangular shape will work for just about any kind of photography, it shines for vertical compositions, too. It can also replicate the look of light through a window! You can use this softbox with just about any speedlight, monolight, or large barebulb strobe due to a 130mm interchangeable speed ring insert. It gives the photographer a high level of versatility to use with many different lights.
Glow Easy Lock Fiberglass Umbrella
For the studio photographer in your life, a new Fiberglass Umbrella might be just what the doctor ordered. Reviews mention this umbrella as incredibly easy to set up and use, and its lightweight design makes it a favorite amongst studio shooters. The EZ Grip Lock system allows the umbrella to be unlocked and adjusted easily, making it versatile for studio shooters who occasionally travel on location for their shoots.
To dial in the light distribution, the photographer can quickly and easily slide the flash head for on-the-fly adjustments. If your gift receiver could use a gentle light source, this Fiberglass Umbrella is one of the best lighting gifts for portrait photographers.
Glow ParaPop Color Filter/Shaper Kit for OTA-S and OTA-C Speedlight Adapters
One of the most interesting ways to get creative with portrait photography is through color filters and light shapers. This ParaPop Color Filter/Shaper Kit includes seven color filters and three light shapers. The filters in this kit are compatible with OTA-S and OTA-C speedlight adapters, which will fit many of the most popular spotlights on the market.
Using filters and light shapers can help turn an ordinary speedlight into a light and color shaper, where your creativity can be unlimited. Finally, the magnetic rimmed facing allows for quick swapping of the filters, meaning the photographer can spend less time setting up and more time capturing creative images.
Glow ParaSnap Square SterlingFibre Softbox
Equipment setup is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of being a photographer. This ParaSnap Square Softbox takes quick setup to a whole new level. This is a softbox that can deploy instantly. Its fast and easy setup allows a quick switch of speed rings to fit different studio lighting.
The SterlingFibre interior is made of a quilted fabric that optimizes and maximizes light output without hot spots or light loss and is perfect for all skin tones. For the photographer who shoots on the go, an included soft pouch carry case will keep everything protected and organized for quicker-than-ever setup and use.
Glow ArcLight II Curved Reflector Kit
This ArcLight II Curved Reflector Kit focuses and equalizes the source light and catchlight into an unbroken band. It helps light models in a way that can showcase youthfulness and charm. Eyes sparkle, wrinkles soften, textures subdue, and the skin radiates with beautiful tones. The eyes also catch an arc of light, which is the signature of a curved reflector.
This is a fantastic gift for any photographer who has never tried the magic of a curved reflector. Watch as your favorite portrait photographer discovers new possibilities.
Glow EZ-Lock Wing-Like Windproof Deep Umbrella
Traditionally, umbrellas were used as studio lighting tools due to increased setup time and decreased stability. However, this Windproof Deep Umbrella breaks all the rules when it comes to what you’ve heard about umbrella lighting. It can resist the wind, all while optimizing the reflection of light, and can be quickly set up using the EZ-lock system.
The open weave pattern is designed to reduce wind resistance. So, it can be used even when the weather won’t cooperate. Finally, a unique wing-like design also saves space and weight without compromising when it comes to light quality or output.
Glow Portable Frame Scrim Kit
This Portable Frame Scrim Kit offers a comprehensive solution for those who demand maximum light and color management. Inside the kit, you get five color-coded fabric scrims that cast, block, diffuse, or dim lighting and two fingers that can add delicate, localized shading to your lighting
A carry bag neatly organizes and protects all pieces when carrying and is surprisingly small, considering that the scrim kit measures 24×36” when fully set up. Whether you know a new photographer or a budding professional, a scrim kit is something any portrait or studio photographer should have in their bag.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right gift for a picky photographer can seem like a challenge, but we’ve tried to highlight some of our favorite lighting equipment that is compatible with a variety of different lighting for various types of photographers. Whether that special photographer in your life is a master of shaping natural light or someone who spends their time in a studio setting, this list has something that will get them excited this year.
