The Gift Guide | Photos

So you had your photo session, and got a ton of amazing images.  If you had your session with me (I hope you did!) you have all of your digital negatives. You love them all and have looked at them a hundred times. But do not let them just sit on your hard drive! Get them printed and into book so that you can enjoy them. And with the holidays right around the corner, put those beautiful professional images to good use! Get creative and turn your favorite images into gifts that your family will adore.

You all know how I love finding the best new products…so here you have a guide to the very best photo products for this season, along with some pretty sweet deals. So on Black Friday, when everyone else is getting trampled at WalMart, you can be home in your sweats, making a photo book on your computer.  You’re welcome.  :)

Photo Books | I have tried a ton of different photo book companies, in all different price ranges. My favorite company, hands down, is Blurb.  They are beautiful books, great quality, at a very reasonable price. And they are so easy to make you will be amazed. There are a ton of different templates you can choose from, as well as a few different sizes and paper options. I really can’t say enough about how much I adore the books I have made from Blurb. Photo books are the perfect gifts for grandparents…or even yourself! The best part…you can save 15% off your entire Blurb order with code 15OFFBLURB.

Holiday Cards | I love getting mail. Especially when it includes photos of my favorite people. If you only do one thing with your digital negatives, make holiday cards. Or if you get super busy and forget until it is too late, make New Years cards. Heck, two years ago I was such a slacker that I did Valentines cards. Like with photo books, there are millions of companies you can order cards from, and I have tried most of them. Pinhole Press, Minted, and Tiny Prints have the best quality and the cutest designs. I am especially loving the designs from Minted this year. All cards shown are from Minted, and again, the best part…you can save $25 off your first purchase of $50 or more from Minted.

Prints | I always recommend that my clients print their images through mpix. They have the best quality photographic prints of any consumer lab out there, a quick turn around and very reasonable prices.  A new product that I just discovered is the set of boxed prints from Pinhole Press.  25 beautiful prints on double thick paper, with personalized captions on the reverse of each photo, all in a 5×7 box perfect for the coffee table.  Definitely on my must buy list this year.

Wall Art | Print your images nice and big from mpix, then frame them in simple Ribba frames from Ikea. To make a big impact, group a bunch of framed images close together in a wall gallery. (check out pinterest for lots of inspiration) For a twist on standard framed prints, try a modern standout print from mpix. No framing or mounting required.

Calendars | I make calendars for each of the grandparents ever year and they absolutely love getting to enjoy their calendars for the next 12 months. This year I am ordering the Hanging Wall Calendar from Pinhole Press, because they are nice and big with very thick, sturdy pages. Last year I bought the Standard Photo Calendar from Minted, and was very impressed with the quality of the paper and their customer service. I have also tried Shutterfly and Lulu, but wasn’t happy with either.

Planners | For those who like to take their calendars with them, try the awesome planners from Blurb, Pinhole Press or Paper Coterie.

Journals & Notepads | Journals from Minted and notepads from Pinhole Press would both make a fun and useful gift.

Stationary | Personalized photo stationary is perfect for thank you notes after the holidays (and may even entice your kids to write their own!)

For Kids | I am in love with all of the fun new photo products out there geared toward kids. My favorites are the Memory Game and Flash Cards, both from Pinhole Press. They are made with thick sturdy card stock so they can withstand all the abuse your kids will give them. These will both probably end up in my little one’s stocking this year.

For Everyone | Personalize game night with photo playing cards from mpix or Shutterfly, and a customized puzzle from Pinhole Press. Not exactly a game, but definitely fun, are the Tiny Prints Custom iPhone Cases.

 

What do you think? Will you be making any custom photo gifts for your friends or family this year? Are there any other new and fabulous products I need to know about?