As a photographer who’s love language is gift giving, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite go-to ideas for photo-related gifts this holiday season! Below you’ll find ideas for your family photos that range from easy + affordable gifts to deeply thoughtful family heirlooms.
FRAMED PRINTS
This is an easy, classic idea — and most online companies these days make ordering framed prints a piece of cake! Here are my favorite framing companies:
1. Framebridge
I LOVE Framebridge for two reasons. Their frame designs are gorgeous – and range from classic to different + funky. They offer custom framing AND they have two storefronts in the Washington, DC area! Meaning you can walk into either location and easily consult with an expert on what would look best for the image you’re planning to frame.
Artifact Uprising is QUEEN in the online photo gifting world – and for good reason! Their framed designs are timeless and high-quality. They make the online ordering process a breeze! If you don’t have time to visit a brick-and-mortar location, you can count on Artifact Uprising to produce a beautiful gift for your loved one.
3. Minted
Minted usually isn’t the first company that comes to mind for framing printed photos, but they do offer this service! I particularly liked this 12-photo frame — it’s perfect for a year-in-review!!
PHOTO ALBUMS
Photo albums are my personal favorite when it comes to photo gifts! I love that you can tell a story and relive a favorite day/trip/memory with multiple images.
For those who are disciplined enough, Artifact Uprising has BEAUTIFUL photo album template designs for you to plug your images into. I’m a HUGE fan of their Baby Board Books too – I love the idea of a board book of their “favorite people”… Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Fido….
2. Mary Catherine Photography Custom Designed Album
For those who don’t have the time/discipline, I’m more than happy to design a photo album for you! While I don’t use Artifact Uprising to print my books, I do offer multiple album options ranging in size from 6×6 to 10×10. You have the option for a linen or velvet cover with text of your choice in gold embossing! Albums start at $150 + must be ordered by November 24th to be received in time for Christmas.
PHOTO ORNAMENTS
A Holiday classic!! And super easy too. If you have a smaller budget, but still want to use this year’s photos in a thoughtful way, consider a photo ornament! Here are my favorite photo ornament options I’ve seen this year:
A perfect little Christmas keepsake that will look gorgeous on any tree!
I love ALL of these but particularly like the “Pressed Glass Ornament” – I can see that being handed down from generation to generation!
3. Framebridge:
Framebridge has a different collectible ornament every year and this year’s is from their “Somerset” collection, a look inspired by the British Countryside! I don’t know about you, but I’m immediately in.
CUSTOM PORTRAITS (Drawings, Paintings, Watercolor)
This is a gift I’ve given multiple times over the years and I can say without a doubt, it’s ALWAYS a hit. Below you’ll find a number of different artists whose work ranges from classic to unique!
3. Custom Black+White Line Drawing
5. Personalized Watercolor Drawing
6. Custom Digital Illustration
PHOTO CALENDAR
This is going to be a winner of a gift for the grandparents! Create your own custom calendar with photos from different occasions OR use different images from your family photo session to create a gift that they’ll love to look at every day. Here are my favorite online calendar products:
1. Artifact Uprising, of course!
I love all of their designs. I’ve personally ordered the Modern Wall Calendar for myself and you can easily tear off the photos once you’re done using the calendar! More bang for your buck, baby 🙂
2. mPix:
If you’d like more of a classic look, mPix offers a custom wall calendar that will help keep you and/or your family organized (and smiling) all year!
DIGITIZE OLD PHOTOS/VIDEOS
Preserve your family’s legacy and give the gift of digitization! Legacy Box makes the process SO easy: simply fill a box full of your family’s old printed photos and VHS tapes and ship it off to Legacy Box to be digitized! Place your order by December 13th to receive your digital files in time for Christmas!
GIFT A PHOTO SESSION (in Washington DC or Northern Virginia!)
And last but not least…give the gift of a portrait session with Mary Catherine Photography! This is especially a hit with grandparents. If you’d like to present them with a physical gift certificate for a photo session with their grandkids/extended family, I will happily mail you a gift certificate you can wrap up! Send me an email at maryc@marycatherinephotography.com today to order yours!Â
This post contains no sponsored content or advertisements; all opinions are my own.
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