Trying to figure out what trendy gadgets to buy for Gen Z this holiday season? As it turns out, the perfect gift might be cleaning up the dust in your closet.
Just ask my 18 year old sister, Layla. This May, as she went for a walk to congratulate her friends after her graduation, I noticed something in her hand: an old-school camcorder she had found in her basement a few days ago. last month.
It’s the same Canon Snappy my sister took our family on a trip to Europe in 1987. Why has my super hip niece turned into something so clunky and out of date?
Why film cameras are the perfect gift for Gen Z
In my therapy practice, I mostly work with people under 40. Many of my millennial clients have memories of life before the Internet, social media, and smartphones.
But Gen Z is made up of true digital natives. Born between 1997 and 2012, they’ve been texting friends and taking photos with their smartphones for as long as they can remember. But film cameras are an interesting connection to a time they haven’t experienced.
Beyond its nostalgic appeal, capturing special moments with friends and family is especially important for Gen Z right now, especially since they’ve missed out on so much due to the pandemic.
[For Gen Z], the film camera is an interesting connection to a time they have never experienced.
Smartphones allow us to take hundreds of photos. But with an old camera – unless you have loads of money to buy and develop film – you only get a few shots to capture something authentic and improvised. As one Gen Z customer told me, it forces you to capture what’s going on and focus on the little details to get a good shot.
Plus, what they shoot is unedited and unfiltered. It’s amazing, authentic and lifelike – you can hold it in your hand or frame it on the wall. I couldn’t imagine a better gift.
Choose the right camera
There are a variety of point-and-shoot cameras to choose from, like instant film cameras or those that require a visit to the store for film development.
You can personalize the gift by choosing a camera in the recipient’s favorite color. Need some inspiration? Here are some of my favorite point-and-shoot cameras:
1. Kodak M38 35mm Film Camera with Flash ($35)
The Kodak M38 Classic, easy to use and available in many colors.
Favorite features:
- Fixed focal length, wide angle lens
- Compatible with color and black and white film
- Built-in flash for night shots
2. Holga 135BC 35mm Curved Camcorder ($59)
This iconic camera vintage style and create a soft texture effect.
Favorite features:
- Manual area focus with highlighted distance icons
- Bulb settings for long exposure photography
- Comes with tripod socket
3. Canon Ivy CLIQ2 Instant Camera Printer ($79)
This Canon not your usual point-and-shoot. It automatically prints photos onto a peel-and-stick film, meaning your recipients won’t need to develop their own film.
Favorite features:
- Pocket size
- Instant Movie
- Large selfie mirror in front
Tess Brigham is a certified psychotherapist and life coach in San Francisco. She has over 10 years of experience in this field and primarily works with millennials and millennial parents.
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