Struggling to find the perfect gift for photography lovers? Professional photographers are notoriously hard to buy for. They probably already own their fair share of DSLR cameras, memory cards, and camera accessories. If you’ve exhausted the usual list of camera gear gift ideas, there’s always storage to consider.
Even a budget-friendly digital camera is a significant investment. If someone’s carting around a vintage camera or film camera, keeping that hardware protected is even more important. The Hulken is an ideal gift idea for any budding photographer or self-respecting snapper. Its generous capacity puts other camera bags to shame, providing plenty of storage space for everything from camera lenses and bodies to ring lights and mini tripods. What’s more, this sturdy bag is built to last, making it one photography gift they’ll use for years to come.
Why Do Photographers Love the Hulken?
While some photographers like to travel light and stick to a compact camera and 50mm lens, most need to carry a huge number of items with them at any one time. Take long exposure shoots as an example. As well as a sturdy SLR camera, a photographer will need a full raft of essentials including a portable charger, remote shutter release, and microfiber cloth to keep that camera lens free of dust and debris-free.
While an SD card might prove sufficient for smartphone photos, it’s not going to cut it in the world of professional digital photography. At the very least, a photographer will need to carry a flash drive or two with them. However, most prefer to have a portable SSD or external hard drive to hand. While modern hardware is relatively compact, it still takes up valuable space in a sling bag or carrying case.
Analog photography is generally considered frill-free, but there's still a ton of extras to consider. Anyone carrying around something like a Polaroid camera or the Fujifilm instax Mini will need a stack of instant film at their disposal.
In short, unless you’re using little else than a phone camera, there’s no way to travel without the baggage when shooting. With the Hulken, photographers have a hard-wearing storage solution that provides them with ample space for all their essentials. What’s more, it’s one of the most portable bags on the market.
Spacious Interior for Props, Refreshments, and More
This is one area where the Hulken excels. Most photographers have to make some compromises when packing a camera bag. If they’re dealing with a compact shoulder bag, many must-haves like a waterproof case or a camera lens kit don’t make the cut. With the Hilken, there’s plenty of room to work, ensuring everything a photographer will need for a shoot is at hand when they need it. The Hullken comes in three sizes. Even the smallest Hullken is large enough to carry a bulky mirrorless camera, a lens cleaning kit, portable power banks, extra batteries, and more.
Looking for photography gifts for someone who likes traveling with a full arsenal of digital picture equipment? The Hulken’s larger sizes offer even more space, with pull handles making it easy to schlep from A to B, even with a full load.
Convenient Foldable Design
One of the biggest drawbacks of conventional camera bags is that they can’t be stored away discreetly when they’re not being used. Those structured panels and padded interiors mean they take up a significant amount of storage space. With the Hulken, you have a practical storage solution that folds down flat when you’re not using it.
At the end of a long shoot, all those photography essentials can be unpacked and returned to their rightful place, before the Hulken is tucked away in a spare nook or laid flat on top of a closet or shelf.
It is Sustainable
Looking for a gift idea for an eco-conscious photographer? The Hulken is a great choice. Sustainability is at the heart of the Hullken’s design. This is largely down to its durable design. With a robust bag like this, there’s no need to depend on single-use materials. What’s more, the sturdy bottom board is made from recycled material.
Unbreakable handles make the Hulken even more hard-wearing. Even when packed out with a full load, this is one bag you can depend on. Stainless steel wheels make it especially practical for photographers. As well as making it easier to get from A to B, these wheels will cope with all manner of spaces, extending the operational life of the Hulken even further.
How Photographers Use the Hulken Bag
There are different types of photographers, with each one requiring their own set of camera and lighting essentials. However, most photographers depend on the same staples. Along with something to shoot with, they’ll need camera straps, a lens cap holder, a camera cleaning kit, tripods, cables, and more. That’s even before you start thinking about things like filters, reflectors, and color correction cards.
While the Hulken bag provides photographers with an easy way to cart all this gear to where they need to be, it also makes it far simpler to stay on top of organizing. Getting all that gear to a shooting location is essential, but being able to set up a shot quickly is just as important.
While most photographers prefer to keep their cameras close to hand or attached to them with a neck strap, the Hulken is the ideal way to haul everything else they’ll need for a shoot. In short, it’s an equipment store on wheels.
Tips for Using the Hulken Bag for Photography
While the Hulken won’t disappoint when it comes to storage capacity and convenience, you’ll want to optimize it to get the most out of it. For photographers, organization is key. Need more convincing that the Hulken is a great gift for the photography lover in your life? Read on for more reasons why this bag is the best storage solution on the market.
Maximize the Bag’s Capacity
Many people avoid loading a bag with too much stuff for fear it’s going to break at the seams. For photographers storing expensive pieces of kit like waterproof cameras and lenses, it’s even more tempting to pack light to air on the side of caution. Fortunately, this isn’t something you need to worry about with the Hulken. Constructed from robust polypropylene, this bag makes good on its promise. The Hulken can comfortably carry loads of up to 66 lb, making it a heavy-duty alternative to canvas cases and photography backpacks.
While in transit, most photographers will want to keep their most expensive pieces of kit close to hand. A Peak Design Everyday Camera Backpack or Camera Cube will ensure those pricey camera bodies remain in tip-top shape during transit, leaving the Hulken free to house larger items. Once a photographer has arrived at a shooting location, those secondary storage solutions can be tucked away in the Hulken until they’re needed again.
Keep Your Gear and Props Organized
Staying organized can prove a challenge for photographers. Even if they’re shooting in a studio, they’ll need a huge inventory of photography accessories within easy reach. With the Hulken, freelance photographers don’t need to worry about traveling without their go-to accessories and essential gear.
The spacious interior ensures photographers don’t need to economize on what they take with them to a shoot. There’s plenty of space for smaller camera bags, lens kits, reams of microfiber cleaning cloths, and more. Even bulkier items like lens cases and Think Tank battery holders can be tucked away safely inside this bag. Heading out on location? With its stainless steel wheels, the Hulken is braced for every adventure, while the generous interior can be used to cart drones like the DJI Mavic.
Studio-based photographers will typically need to carry even more items with them. These can include lighting equipment and white balance aids, along with props and background rolls. Some portrait photographers may even be pulling double duty and need to travel with makeup. The Hulken will house all this and more.
Perfect for Outdoor Photography
Keeping that expensive equipment is important. When you're purchasing a Hulken bag, you don't need to worry about buying an additional cover. As the new Hulken bag already includes a top-notch, high-quality polypropylene cover. The cover is designed to fit the Hulken bag perfectly, ensuring extra protection and durability. Once they’ve been slipped over the top of the Hulken, Velcro straps ensure they remain firmly in place. What’s more, you won’t need to remove the cover to access stored contents. The cover comes with a zipper, providing instant access to those all-important photography essentials. You can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that your gear is securely protected.
Use the Hulken Bag as a Carry-On for Travel Photography
While some equipment can be safely checked in as hold luggage, most photographers wince at the thought of being parted from their cameras and lenses at the airport. This is one thing you won’t need to worry about with the Hulken. This versatile bag can be used as a carry-on, making it ideal for travel photography and professionals who prefer to keep their valuables close to hand until they arrive at their destination.
This way, there aren’t any unpleasant surprises when luggage is retrieved from the baggage carousel. Many insurers won’t pay out if equipment has been handed over to checked luggage. Even if they do, replacement can’t be sourced in time to complete a time-sensitive location shoot.
FAQs
What gifts or skills do great photographers possess?
The best photographers possess a range of technical and creative skills. One of the most basic skills that a truly great photographer has is good posture. It’s amazing how many standout shots are ruined by a poor hold of the camera. Knowing how to handle a camera makes all the difference when shooting in low-light conditions or with lower shutter speeds. Understanding focus is another area where many aspiring photographers fall short. While photography tips can go a long way in mastering focus, you’ll need a solid comprehension of your DSLR and lenses if you want to embrace handheld photography and leave the tripod at home.
What’s more, a good technical photographer needs to understand lighting. Photographers need to be able to determine every source of light, the type of light they’re dealing with, and how shadow changes. It’s only when a photographer has a handle on these factors that they can start experimenting with camera tools like white balance and exposure.
What creative skills does a good photographer need?
A grasp on composition goes a long way in securing a standout shot. Many photographers use the rule of thirds when composing a shot. This approach involves placing an imaginary grid on the frame and breaking it into nine sections. If you’re following this approach, the subject of your shot should be placed along grid intersections, as this is where the human eye is naturally drawn to. Playing around with symmetry, understanding the importance of background, and experimenting with angles are also key creative skills that a great photographer should possess.
Do artists naturally have a gift for photography, and vice versa?
There is some overlapping here. We’ve already touched on the importance of symmetry and composition. Any good artist understands these concepts, meaning it’s relatively easy to bring them over from the canvas to capturing subjects with a camera. However, mastering technical skills can prove a challenge, even for the more accomplished painter or draftsman.
Likewise, photographers can employ some of the skills they have learned during their careers when it comes to more traditional art forms. If they know how to frame and simplify what’s in shot, they can often produce captivating compositions. However, that’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to physically breathtaking watercolors or intricate sketches.
My friend is a professional photographer. What can I buy for her that she wouldn’t buy for herself?
Buying unique gifts for a professional photographer is a tall order. They probably already own high-end cameras, so your best option is to think outside the box. Think about budget-friendly photo gifts like a phone case that can help with image stabilization when they’re using camera mode. Alternatively, a digital picture frame or photo printer makes a great gift for photographers looking to dump to sort through the contents of their camera roll.
If you’d like to buy more technical gifts, something like a JOBY GorillaPod is something to consider. These flexible tripod rigs are particularly handy. A Peak Design Capture Clip is another good choice for any photographer who regularly shoots using a tripod. Buying for a photographer who’s always on the move? Why not bolster their image storage capacity with a Sandisk Extreme PRO? Whether you’re buying a memory card or a portable hard drive, these shock-proof storage solutions bring peace of mind to photographers who want to keep their image libraries intact.
What reading gifts can I buy for a professional photographer?
If your budget won’t stretch to hardware and technical gear, why not treat someone special to some reading material instead? A photography magazine subscription is a gift that keeps on giving. Every month, a new edition will land in their mailbox, packed with photography tips, product reviews, and editorials. Failing that, think about treating them to a photography book. You can purchase a technical guide that outlines the specifics of a particular camera or splash out on a hardcover photobook from a particular artist that explores themes and creative concepts.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed photographer or looking to purchase the perfect gift for someone special, the Hulken bag is the perfect choice. Available in three different sizes, there’s more than enough room for cameras, lenses, and any other accessories you’ll need for a shoot. Furthermore, this bag makes getting around easier than ever. Unbreakable handles mean even the heaviest of loads can be schlepped from A to B without breaking a sweat. Stainless steel wheels make transporting photography essentials even easier.
When you’re not using it for photography, the versatile Hulken can be used for just about anything. Need help with the groceries? The Hulken is your go-to bag for grocery shopping. Looking to lighten the load on laundry day? This bag can help around the house and be your new favorite laundry bag. No matter what you’ve got planned, the Hulken is ready to go when you are. When you’re done, simply fold it flat and tuck it away until you need it again. Why not take a look at the full range of Hulken sizes and color options today?
