A big part of Photography 201 is adding accessories and beefing up your photography inventory... here's the shortlist of what's inside my pack and on my Holiday wish list this year...
I currently own a little Canon Rebel Xsi that is lightweight for skiing and hiking with, and have two lenses, 18-55mm and 75-300mm.
The first accessories I purchase for a new body are extra memory cards, and then get lens filters, cap keepers, and hoods (I prefer the flexible ones over the rigid version for price and damage control) for all my lenses. Swapping out one set of each accessory between two or three lenses just gets old, really quick, so stock up. Lenses also don't always come with lens bags, so finding padded bags or a divided camera bag/backpack is also a must-have.
The next addition to my current setup was an angling external flash/speedlight with a white reflector. The on-camera flashes for any body, DSLR or point-and-shoot, are weak, too close to the lens, and not dynamic enough in size or angling to take a great night portrait. The angle-action is the key to good photographs (bouncing light), and ones with swivel are even better, although I suggest you start with just one angle, and progress as you learn the techniques of bouncing light. I have the Nissan Di466, which came with a stand as well for using it off-camera (in "slave" mode). It's only downfall is the battery usage, and it drains a set of 4 in 5 hours (and they come out smokin' hot). To save on usage I take the batteries out when the speedlight isn't in use, and have found that unfortunately it doesn't run well on rechargeables.
The next thing I purchased for my camera body was a battery grip, which adds an extra battery slot (must also be purchased) in a side-mount grip with side controls for shooting portrait. It adds weight, but well worth it for the extra juice on a long shoot, as well as the speedier shutter for action and sequence shots. Save yourself the mark-up dough and buy a secondary brand for this one. I bought Zeikos, and what I like about this one is that it comes with both the Canon standard battery pack, and an alternative AA (6) battery pack, great for a great backup (although as with the speedlight, it doesn't run well on rechargeables).
Camera straps are also a must-have upgrade, I'm currently looking at this inexpensive posture-saver, the RS-5. In a line of handy and comfortable options, the RS-5 excels for its 3-layer storage unit on the shoulder. But they all have the bumper to keep the strap in place, and all help the posture with that side-sling action. The shoulder storage includes a top, phone-sized pocket with silent flap, a long, flat pocket for memory cards or batteries, and a flat, zippered pocket against the shoulder which can be used for lenses, caps, granola bars, etc. My only dislike of it is that it's boring old black. So if you can skip the shoulder padding and storage, check out the lady-like designs at Jodie's. Many photographers love them (below).
Once you're packing in the clients, upgrading lenses is everyone's constant expense it seems. Lenses keep improving, and they aren't cheap. This is one area where spending the extra for the name brand is probably worth it, although Leika, Sigma, and Tamron seem to get high reviews. Covering all your distances (such as right now I'm missing the 55-75mm range) is a good place to start, as is an all-in-one lens like a 18-200. Those are heavy and not as fast-acting, however, and if you're unsure, I have a great place I just found out about to rent them and test them out. Visit LensRentals.com, they're really inexpensive and I plan on renting a telephoto- the 70-200 f/2.8L - for our January ski camp. I tested it at the Canon workshop I took in October and loved its speed, weight, and results.
Last, once you start upgrading with additional camera bodies and multiple lenses, don't forget to add personal property insurance through your home insurance agent.
Please, share your favorite camera accessories in the comments below!
The first accessories I purchase for a new body are extra memory cards, and then get lens filters, cap keepers, and hoods (I prefer the flexible ones over the rigid version for price and damage control) for all my lenses. Swapping out one set of each accessory between two or three lenses just gets old, really quick, so stock up. Lenses also don't always come with lens bags, so finding padded bags or a divided camera bag/backpack is also a must-have.
The next addition to my current setup was an angling external flash/speedlight with a white reflector. The on-camera flashes for any body, DSLR or point-and-shoot, are weak, too close to the lens, and not dynamic enough in size or angling to take a great night portrait. The angle-action is the key to good photographs (bouncing light), and ones with swivel are even better, although I suggest you start with just one angle, and progress as you learn the techniques of bouncing light. I have the Nissan Di466, which came with a stand as well for using it off-camera (in "slave" mode). It's only downfall is the battery usage, and it drains a set of 4 in 5 hours (and they come out smokin' hot). To save on usage I take the batteries out when the speedlight isn't in use, and have found that unfortunately it doesn't run well on rechargeables. 
The next thing I purchased for my camera body was a battery grip, which adds an extra battery slot (must also be purchased) in a side-mount grip with side controls for shooting portrait. It adds weight, but well worth it for the extra juice on a long shoot, as well as the speedier shutter for action and sequence shots. Save yourself the mark-up dough and buy a secondary brand for this one. I bought Zeikos, and what I like about this one is that it comes with both the Canon standard battery pack, and an alternative AA (6) battery pack, great for a great backup (although as with the speedlight, it doesn't run well on rechargeables). 
Camera straps are also a must-have upgrade, I'm currently looking at this inexpensive posture-saver, the RS-5. In a line of handy and comfortable options, the RS-5 excels for its 3-layer storage unit on the shoulder. But they all have the bumper to keep the strap in place, and all help the posture with that side-sling action. The shoulder storage includes a top, phone-sized pocket with silent flap, a long, flat pocket for memory cards or batteries, and a flat, zippered pocket against the shoulder which can be used for lenses, caps, granola bars, etc. My only dislike of it is that it's boring old black. So if you can skip the shoulder padding and storage, check out the lady-like designs at Jodie's. Many photographers love them (below). 
Last, once you start upgrading with additional camera bodies and multiple lenses, don't forget to add personal property insurance through your home insurance agent.
Please, share your favorite camera accessories in the comments below!
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