Get ready to get your thank on! Mother’s Day in the USA is this Sunday, May 12th. Here are a few ideas to help you find the perfect gift for an image-loving mom. Prices good through May 11th, 2019.
Jewelry doesn’t have to empty a bank to fill a heart. Our techs will take your personal pics and sublimate them onto a classy pendant with a sassy, scalloped edge. Let us help you help mom put something she 💖s close to her heart, hung on a silver-plated chain.
What makes a new mom happier than her sweet little kiddo? It’s hard to express just how special that relationship is, and no one but mom can see the brilliant uniqueness of that new-lit soul. Help her set her baby apart from the rest with totally custom bibs & onesies. (Trust me—that baby’s going to need lots of clothes, too.)
It’s a poor life with too little attention to the details. Make mom’s day-to-day meal prep fun with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind cutting board. Available in three sizes—7.75″ circular, 8×11, and 12×15—our custom cutting boards have non-slip rubber feet and a grippy, pebble-textured cutting surface. They even look great in storage, propped up against a window and majestically backlit.
Special moms deserve special images, and special images deserve a special presentation. Whether you want to fill mom’s wall or want to express your deep love within a tight budget, saving 63% on 16×20 express inkjet prints is a fabulous opportunity to make it happen. Print her favorites on pearl or glossy photo paper same-day, or give her a final product by the end of the week with add-on mounting, matting, or framing.
Whether it’s fine art or a meaningful scrapbook, making something great takes discipline. Let us help mom do just that with an official Project 240 kit. For the price of 240 4×6 prints, take home a punch card good for 240 prints and a photo album. Each month, she can stop in and have us make 20 prints. At the end of the year, she’ll have an album that’s sure to exceed her expectations. Plus, it’s pretty cool to be able to answer questions like “What were we doing in June 2019?” with instant access to the coolest photos from that month.
Let mom dive into DSLR at our lowest price ever! Includes AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED lenses, plus a great bag to keep it all together. You don’t need to be a photographer to know a great photo when you see one. And you don’t need to be a photographer to take a great photo—you just need the D3500. It’s as easy to use as a point-and-shoot, but it takes beautiful DSLR photos and videos that get noticed. It feels outstanding in your hands, sturdy and balanced with controls where you want them. It’s compact, durable and versatile, ideal for travel or family photos around town and in the back yard. And it works seamlessly with compatible smartphones, making it easier than ever to share your great photos. Even if you’ve never picked up a DSLR camera, you can take beautiful pictures with D3500.
Near to far, wherever you are. This α6000 kit Includes 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 lenses. Better photos are easy with its superb 24 MP quality, quick autofocus, and very portable body. Add an OLED Tru-Finder™, manual controls, and unique processing modes for a superior alternative to more bulky DSLRs. Copious native lenses are available, and you can use hundreds more with adapters.
The latest in a classic series. Includes EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II and EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lenses. Capture super fine details and beautiful, vibrant colors with the EOS Rebel T7’s high-resolution 24.1 MP APS-C sensor. The large sensor helps the camera perform superbly even in low light, giving you the chance to capture amazing results in a variety of conditions. A wide ISO range of 100-6400 (H: 12800) gives you the confidence to carry on taking pictures even when the lighting gets dim.
The full package: this kit includes a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens, case, & SD card. For the mom who loves photography, but wants to keep it real: She travels to enjoy her vacation, not to be the family’s on-staff photographer; she wants a sharp shot of the dog’s epic mid-air catch, but doesn’t have time to memorize a user manual: the E-M10 Mark III is just for her. It’s small and lightweight, so it’s effortless to take along. The simple-to-use touch screen interface and exclusive Shortcut Button remove all mystery from camera settings, and foolproof image stabilization virtually eliminates motion blur and shake from still photos and 4K video alike. The E-M10 Mark III: Mom’s photographic journey starts here.
Award-winning quality! Includes XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens. The Fujifilm X-T3 joins the X-series as the world’s first APS-C mirrorless camera capable of internal 4K/60p 4:2:0 10-bit recording. Designed to meet the needs of professional videographers and the most discerning mom, the X-T3 comes with an all-new back-illuminated 26 MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 processing engine to deliver improved AF performance and exceptional image quality in both stills and video.
Fabulous 4K at fifty percent off. Includes 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 and 45-150mm f/4-5.6 lenses. Less bulky than a DSLR, the LUMIX GX85 is a compact mirrorless camera with a 16 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor that gives true-to-life photo image quality and 4K video. The newly-developed sensor housing adds class-leading, 5-axis, in-body stabilization that (in conjunction with LUMIX 2-axis, optically-stabilized lenses) provides nearly five stops of compensation for shaking in both video and stills. Mom will never miss a photo with three unique 4K Photo “pause-and-save” modes, and creative possibilities are limitless with access to 27 (and counting) interchangeable lens options.
All-in-one: one lens for all. Does the photographer mom in your life want the image quality a DSLR can offer, but doesn’t want to carry a whole bag full of heavy glass? This lens, available in Nikon and Canon mounts, runs the whole focal length gamut. Let her shoot everything from wide group portraits to ultra-distant wildlife shots. And, through Mother’s Day, we’ll let you take $100 off and include a free HGX polarizing filter!
Some photography enthusiasts find their niche right away, knowing just the kind of gear they need and never looking for anything else. Those people, however, are very rare! Whether mom’s not sure what direction she wants to take with her photography or she’s got a healthy breadth of passion, this two-pack of lenses with very different abilities will mean a much more effective kit for her. Includes the NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8 and NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6.
A “normal” focal length with an outrageously-large f/1.4 aperture, manufactured in the high-quality you can trust in Sigma’s Art line. Art lenses prioritize quality and artistic expression above all else. Art lenses include fast primes, fish-eyes, macros, and more, but the common thread is the exceptional image quality they enable. Dreamy blur for Mother’s Day? This is it!
I literally bought a camera body so that I could use this lens after trying it at one of our events. Your mileage may vary, but if the mom in your life shoots Micro Four Thirds and has an interest in effortless, long-range portraiture, I guarantee that this lens will be a game changer for her.
A camera ready for anything. 4K video, unmatched mounting options, waterproofing and more. Offering a double serving of RAM (compared to the Hero6), the Hero7 includes the new “HyperSmooth” image stabilization algorithm and “TimeWarp” hyperlapse feature. Could the Hero7 Black be the perfect action camera for an adventurous mom?
Sharp-shot stills and 4K in a classic compact style. Includes stylish travel pack! This powerful, pocket-sized camera will enable mom to preserve every emotion at home and abroad in vivid detail, without sacrificing a bit when it comes to the long-reaching 30x zoom. From sweeping panoramas and natural wonders to architecture and the simple smile of a child, the LUMIX ZS70 does it all.
Let mom step up to a 1.0″ sensor without compromising on a viewfinder, flash, or pocketability. The fifth-generation RX100 offers a perfect balance between price and top-of-the-line compact camera quality. The EVF, flash module, and manual controls are stealthily-integrated into the camera’s design for maximum svelteness, and the Carl Zeiss lens is as sharp and bright as they come. A true luxury compact for the discerning mom.
With a 16.4 MP 1/2.3″ BSI sensor, 5x zoom lens, a significantly-expanded ISO range, and the ability to shoot 4K, the Fuji XP140 is a great choice for a mom looking for a compact camera in a classic form factor that’s ready to handle anything: waterproof to 82′ (IP68), shockproof to 5.9′, and freezeproof to 14°F? That ought to fit the bill.
The Nikon P-series cameras have often set the bar for insanely-long zooms in bridge cameras. If pure zoom power is the primary objective—wildlife photography expeditions, anyone?—the choice is clear. Give the gift of reach with a 2000mm-telephoto-equivalent 83x zoom, coupled with the security of over 100 years of optical experience.
Speaking of venerable, check out this great high-end compact option which couples a legendary Canon-quality lens with a 1.0″ sensor capable of maintaining great detail in any low-light scenario. I have fond memories of discovering just how much digital cameras could do on a PowerShot G3, many years ago, and the series has continued to provide an amazing number of features in a pocketable body.
We offer a variety of classes and exciting photographic opportunities year-round, both in our stores and around our communities. Click here for the complete schedule, or read on for a selection of on-location experiences that would let mom get what every photographer ultimately wants: great photos.
Wildlife Photography at the Zoo
$149.00 $134.00 • Save $35!
Denver, CO • Sacramento, CA
Presented in our signature three-part series format, this course starts with an instructional lecture at the store—either Park Meadows or Sacramento, depending on mom’s location. We’ll cover some basic photographic principles, apply them extensively to how one can get great wildlife photos in a zoo setting, and give some background information on the animals themselves. That weekend, we’ll meet again at the zoo for a private, early-morning session, where your instructors will be on-hand to help mom maximize her results. After a few days go by and everyone has submitted their best images to be printed, we’ll finish the series with a small gallery showing and critique back at the store. The matted 12×18 print from the gallery will go home with her, as well as a $10 coupon for any future Mike’s Camera purchase. Bonus: since you’ll be registering her more than two weeks early, you can save 10% on tuition!
An all-time favorite! Every year, we partner with the preservation-minded ecological educators at HawkQuest to bring these strikingly beautiful birds right to our attendees. Mom will be able to get up close and personal with hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls in natural environments, then practice her action photography on a grand-finale-flight. Tamron will be providing free lens rentals, so she’ll even be able to play with cool new gear! You can sign mom up for the complete, three-part workshop (with the same class, shoot, gallery format as the Zoo workshop described above) or for the shoot only if she’s done it before.
(We also partner with West Coast Falconry in California—watch our schedule for that program in a future quarter!)
Mom will have a blast at the Bay on our casually informative night walk. This hands-on tour includes multiple, specific demonstrations, teaching how one can create light trails and motion effects with the use of long exposures, how to use artificial lighting to enhance long exposures, and more. At the end of the night, she’ll go home with stunning, colorful, and dramatic low-light/night photographs.
The hottest new mobile tripod series in town, and mom wants in on the scene! The Xtreme Compact Modular design is a complete reinvention of the already-popular Xtreme Compact (XC) design. The smallest versions fold down to little over a foot, thanks to a new two-stage design for the center column, and every leg is removable and able to be adapted for use as a monopod. Every tripod in the series is compatible with an additional seven accessory adaptations, ensuring that the XC-M can be adapted to whatever usage the mom in your life may have in mind.
What’s the biggest marker of an amateur video? Camera shake! Let every one one of her mobile movies be smooth as silk. The Smooth Q is a very capable motorized stabilizer for pocketable mobile devices, complete with comfortable and accessible controls on the handle. The springy mount is adaptable to hold almost any modern smartphone, so you won’t need to worry too much about compatibility.
Another massive improvement for the mobile videographer? A take-anywhere directional microphone! Mom’s iPhone videos will never be the same. The Me-L has a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling live monitoring of recordings and playblack on those devices not fated to include the standard headphone connector. Includes furry windscreen and a mic clip for trustworthy security.
Even better: take mom’s recordings of plays, concerts, and more to the next level. Easy to sync with video or to use for audio only. Let her record songs, sound effects, audio for film, interviews for podcasts, classroom lectures, and more at up to 120 dB without distortion.
The charm of instant printing meets take-anywhere smartphone convenience. Taking standard Instax Mini film, the SP-2 uses an advanced laser system to create an analog exposure from any Bluetooth-equipped mobile device in only ten seconds.
Small & stylish, just like the gear mom can fit inside. The lightest bag in the EveryDay line, this sling is über-customizable and will make mom’s most important gear über-accessible. Peak Design’s Sling 5L will hold everything from a passport & keys to a foldable drone setup to a full-frame DSLR.
The clever design of this gadget is almost as delightful as the perfect action lighting it provides. Great for travel, drones (NOTE: get the magnet-free version), action cams, and mobile photography! The basic kit includes a diffuser, belt clip, GoPro mount, cold shoe mount, and magnetic mount (non-drone, standard version). Add the filter set and you’ll lose mom in the studio for days.
You’ll need to know the size of mom’s lens, but the imaging bonus will be worth a little recon. Read more about the benefits of a CPL here. The short version? Water reflections, shiny metal highlights, and more will be a problem of the past for a polarizer-equipped photographer. Remember that it is worth getting a high quality filter—it’s an awful waste to put a cheap, aberration-prone piece of glass in the way of a top-of-the-line lens, or even a middle-of-the-line lens.
Now that mom’s gear bag is (more) complete, help her use it to its utmost. If she’s afraid to take any of this gear along on a photographic opportunity, it won’t be worth much! The gift of peace of mind comes with the perfect “plus one” item: a conveniently-packable yet high-capacity 100%-waterproof bag. Mom can sack her gear and wander through rainy forests and near the neighborhood pool with equal fearlessness, then pack the bag in an almost-unnoticeable teardrop case when conditions dry up.