I am including some articles on this website that may be of interest to the
photographer. Some will be contributed by others and some will be written
by me. My first article is about "gifting" photographs at Christmas time. I hope you enjoy it.
At various times of the year we all are presented
with the task of buying gifts for either a birthday, anniversary,
Christmas gift or other special holiday like Mother’s day, or even
Valentine’s day. How can we keep the gift giving spirit alive and
meaningful? Here are some ideas to personalize the gift giving
process by using photographs to turn an ordinary gift into a special
one.
Choosing the Right Photograph.
Everyone has a camera of some sort, and taking advantage of this
timeless resource can provide a means for preserving meaningful
memories. Find a photograph that you know will conjure up a memory
or emotion for the person who will receive the gift. It could be a
humorous photograph from early childhood, a vacation photo, or a
photo of an important time, such as a child’s school play
performance. It could even be a beautiful landscape photograph which
you know the recipient will appreciate, for example, if they love
visiting
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, this would be an
appropriate scenic photograph.
Be Mindful of Quality. It is
important to choose a photograph that is well taken and in good
condition. If the photograph is blurry or torn, it is best to pass
on it and find another photograph that will work.
Make a Good Presentation. Giving
a photograph alone does not give the same impression as one which is
properly framed. If you choose to frame a photo, you have the option
of taking the photo to a custom picture framing shop, or you can
purchase a standard sized photo frame at a store like Target or
Kohl’s. If the goal is to preserve the image for many years, such as
a wedding photo, it is recommended to choose custom framing, if it
fits your budget. However, if budget is a concern I would look for a
good high quality frame with acid free matting.
Combine with a Gift Basket to Enhance the
Gift
No matter how special the photograph is, sometimes a photograph
isn’t enough. When these times arise, you can still use your
photograph to personalize a more practical and visually impressive
gift, such as a gift basket. Gift baskets come in all varieties and
sizes and for this reason can still offer a complimentary way to
personalize the entire presentation. For example, if the recipient
loves chocolate and it is near Valentine’s Day, a
chocolate gift basket would be appropriate. By adding in the
basket a framed picture of you and your loved one, you are further
enhancing the personal value of the gift. If they enjoy Italian
foods, an
Italian gift basket which includes items such as olive oils,
pasta, cheese and olives would nicely fit the bill. Of course, if it
is near Christmas time, think of a
gift basket for Christmas.
When the time comes to give a gift, using a bit of
thoughtfulness and personal creativity will leave a lasting
impression. No one enjoys giving a gift which is not appreciated. By
using photographs to provide a personal touch either as a stand
alone gift, or to further enhance a supplemental gift, you are
letting the recipient know, not only do you care, but that you care
enough to put your own personal time and energy into the gift giving
process.
Author Bio: Elizabeth Krause lives in Central Virginia and
enjoys photography and cooking. She owns and operates her own
website dedicated to topics related to cooking Italian food, such as
easy Italian recipes, easy to use kitchen supplies and
Italian gift ideas for the holidays.