Amazon

Amazon: Since I live on a hilltop in the middle of nowhere, I rely upon Amazon to send me a lot of things – including camera gear. I’ve found Amazon to be quite competitive. With my Amazon Prime account, I pay $79/ year and get free 2-day shipping or overnight shipping for $3.99 per item. Check out an Amazon Prime membership here.

Adorama

Adorama is a Manhattan landmark in the photo world. Fortunately for folks like me who live on the left coast, they actually ship all over the world. They have a far ranging selection of gear and an interesting collection of workshops (mostly in NYC).

Kubota Image Tools

Kubota Image Tools has saved me loads of time when it comes to wrangling pixels in Lightroom and Photoshop. There’s no doubt that Kevin Kubota is a super-hero when it comes to Photoshop actions. He’s also an amazing photographer. If you ever get a chance to hear Kevin speak or attend one of his workshops, consider it a must-do. If you are hardcore about Photoshop, also check out the Kubota DashBoard actions.

Calumet

Calumet caters to pros and high-level amateurs. In addition to their online site, they have stores across the US and in Europe. Seminars and workshops are offered frequently at their stores. Calumet often rebrands gear from leading manufacturers that don’t have a huge presence in the US. My Calumet Traveller studio strobes (made in Britain by Bowens) are still going strong 13 years after I bought them.

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Photo was founded by photographers and makes the best bags for photographers. Think Tank Photo understands the importance of our gear and what it takes to protect it during transport. SPECIAL for PixSylarians: enter “AP-218″ on this page you’ll get a free Think Tank bag on every order over $50.

Super Media Store

Super Media Store is where I head for archival CDs and DVDs. If you’re planning on archiving your pix for a decade or two, it does not make sense to skimp on the storage media. These guys have the answers and great prices too!

Photo Stamps

Photo Stamps can put your photos right on US postage. Yes, it adds a bit to the price of a stamp. For business promotions and special events (think “wedding invites”) Photo Stamps is a unique resource.

Academic Superstore

Academic Superstore can save you loads of money on software from Adobe, Microsoft and many other companies. Let’s face it, if you’re in school or have kids in school, money is always tight. With the right student credentials, you can buy Lightroom, Photoshop, Microsoft Office and many other essential programs at Academic Superstore.

BorrowLenses.com

BorrowLenses.com is the place I call when I need to rent camera gear. They offer a great selection of both Canon and Nikon gear. Fast delivery by mail. Think about renting that piece of gear “you just have to have” before you spend the big dough.

Lensbaby

Lensbaby literally invented the bendable lens. The fuzzy-focus look of the plastic camera era (think “Holga” or “Diana”) has returned to the land of high-tech DLSRs. I’ve carried a Lensbaby in my kit for three+ years. It’s always great to strap it on and have some fun. Great prices on Lensbaby here.

Hot Shoe Diaries

The Hot Shoe Diaries is the tell-all by Joe McNally that covers the world as illuminated with small flashes. I’ve gone on record as saying this will be THE book about flash photography for some time.

Annie Liebovitz At Work

Annie Liebovitz At Work provides a series of autobiographical anecdotes (think “short chapters”) that bounce back and forth across Annie’s career.

Digital Photography Books – Vols. 1 & 2

The Digital Photography Books (Volumes 1 and 2) are a great place to start if you are just starting. Written by Scott Kelby, these easy-to-read books slice concepts into bite-sized chucks and present them with many helpful images.