14 Reasons Why Family Photography Vouchers Make The Best Christmas Gift

With both Black Friday and the last payday before Christmas this week, I know many of you have gifting on your minds. If you’re looking for something a little bit different to give to someone you love then read on…

I’m being a total last minute Larry this year! As we build up to December 25th, I’ve got a to-do list as long as my arm of festive photography sessions (follow my instagram and facebook for details); client presentations; work commitments coming out of my ears; and a hectic advent schedule for my two girls, who aged two and three have a better social life than I do!

Against this backdrop I thought this week I’d focus on gifting photography session vouchers.

I don’t know about you, but I love to gift and receive vouchers! As a Mum whose home is littered with childrens’ paraphernalia, I really appreciate the value of experiences over MORE things.

So here are a few of the reasons I believe a family photo session gift voucher could be the perfect Christmas gift for the people you love...

1. Give something a little different

Unlike standard holiday presents like clothing, electronics or food & drink, a family photography voucher is an out-of-the-box idea. It’s not something people typically think of, which makes it stand out.

A photography session feels special because it’s tailored to the recipient’s family, focusing on their relationships and creating something meaningful and enduring.

2. Make up for lost time post-pandemic

While for most of us daily life has returned to business as usual post-pandemic, I’m conscious that it was a shared experience we lived through together in our recent history.

As a Mum who had her first baby during a lockdown, one of my key feelings of loss was of missing out on marking those precious memories between my daughter and her wider family.

Because of what I do, I’m lucky to have a handful of cherished photos of those first-holds and first-meets between her and her grandparents. But for many, because of Covid-19, those photos simply don’t exist. And in ours, I’m behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Gifting a photography voucher is a great way to play catch up in that sense. It’s an excuse to get your family together to record memories and create an everlasting picture of those special relationships. Particularly so, I would argue, with grandparents...

3. Record wider family relationships

If you’re anything like me, your relationship with your own parents has changed somewhat since you became a parent?

Pre-kids we spent time together in such a different way. But now, we see each other in a far more functional manner, like a babysitting handover or a post-work pick-up. Even as a photographer I rarely make the time to take a photo of my girls with their grandparents!

Having a voucher towards a family portrait session is an ideal excuse to schedule some time in the diary where you can all get together and record those beautiful relationships. And what’s more, because you have a professional behind the lens, that means you get to be in the pictures too; ensuring your family is recorded as a whole, rather than missing the person taking the photos.

4. Invest in personal memories

Do you have a present cupboard filled with gifts your family has received that are duplicates or bargains you’ve seen when they’re on offer?

How often do you actually gift something from that cupboard? Or does most of it end up going to the school Christmas fair?!

Can you even remember what your partner bought you last Christmas?

When you gift a photography voucher to a loved one, you’re giving them something you know they’ll love and the product of which will last forever. Unlike other experience vouchers, like those for a restaurant or an activity, a family portrait session is a gift that keeps on giving; first comes the experience itself, then comes a collection of beautiful photographs which can be turned into custom artwork to bring joy to a home for years to come and even be passed down to future generations.

It’s not the fleeting gratification of a thing made in China or an over too soon date night dinner that you didn’t have to cook yourself! It’s a gift that will appreciate in value with every passing year.

5. Encourage family get-togethers

If you’re a grandparent looking for a present for your own grown-up children, a family portrait session gift voucher is a thoughtful choice for you too.

Unless you’ve had a family wedding in recent years, chances are that your kids don’t have any professional photos of them as adults with you, their siblings and your grandchildren.

But gifting your children vouchers this Christmas gives them a reason to get their families together and have those special relationships recorded.

They get photos of their families that they love. And you get photos of all of your grandchildren together… everyone’s a winner!

6. Be kind to the planet

Of course another reason to choose vouchers over tangible gifts is the fact that they’re kinder to the planet.

My photo session gift vouchers are sent digitally, so you can email them to whoever you want, wherever you want at the click of a button.

Or if you choose, vouchers over £100 can be gift wrapped and posted directly to you or the recipient.

7. Avoid the Black Friday shopping frenzy

If you’re anything like me, the thought of trudging around Cheshire Oaks searching for bargains with two preschoolers in tow, or spending my evenings scouring the internet for the best Black Friday deals fills me with absolute dread!

As a busy parent and a business owner, I need my gifting to be efficient. I want quick and easy gift solutions that preferably don’t require wrapping or posting!

That’s where a portrait session gift voucher can be a great answer to your Christmas present buying woes.

8. Gift something they’ll actually want

Looking for the perfect present for “the person who has everything”? Or a unique gift to spoil an extra special recipient?

In both cases, vouchers for a family photo session will be well received. Why? Because you’re not only gifting an experience that records special memories forever. You’re also giving the receiver a present they might not feel able to justify buying for themselves, but would appreciated if they received it as a gift.

9. Pre-empt a 2025 maternity or newborn photo session

Is your family expecting a new arrival in 2025? Are you looking for the perfect gift for their eagerly awaiting parents? As a Mum of two little ladies I have recent lived experience of being on the receiving end of new baby gifts.

And while all the soft toys and memory books are a lovely gesture, I found vouchers towards something so helpful, particularly when you have a reduced household income because of parental leave.

So if someone you love is expecting a new baby in 2025, why not consider gift vouchers towards a maternity session for Mum-to-be or a newborn session to capture baby’s first days as a Christmas gift this year?

10. Support a local photographer

There were some heart-warming statistics in the news last week about how many British shoppers would choose to support a local business over a large one when buying their Christmas gifts this year.

For a photographer who’s local to you, buying vouchers for a 2025 family portrait session is a much appreciated way to spend your gifting budget. And trust me; we’re hugely grateful for your support of our small business.

11. Stick to your budget

If you get tempted to go wild in the aisles when it comes to Christmas shopping, buying a voucher means you can stick to your budget!

Whether you choose to gift a voucher for £25 to contribute towards a Day In The Life photo session, or £250 to purchase a beautiful contemporary box frame featuring their favourite image; you set the budget for your voucher amount.

12. Create unique artwork for their home

When you give a family portrait session, you don’t just give the opportunity to capture artful memories of the recipient and their tribe, you also give them the chance to create one of a kind artwork for their home.

I plan my clients’ family photography experience so together we consider how their images will look in their home too. I’m passionate about ensuring they not only have photos to cherish, but also beautiful wall art.

So when you buy a voucher, this can be used by the recipient towards the cost of something special to adorn their walls, like a modern photo block panel or a bespoke frame to suit the aesthetic of a particular room.

13. Choose a gift for everyone to enjoy

Photographs are meant to be shared. So when you have family portraits taken, you’re creating something special for all your loved ones to enjoy. Turn those portraits into a physical artwork and you have a joyful talking point that tells the story of a particular chapter in a family’s story.

Maybe you’ve already had your family portrait session, but the grandparents want to get in on the action now too?! If you gift them a voucher this Christmas, they can use it to create their own piece of portrait art for their home, so they can enjoy looking at their beautiful children and grandchildren every day.

14. When you’re pushed for time, buy the perfect last minute Christmas present

Finally, if you’re a ‘leave it until Christmas Eve’ gift-buyer, an e-voucher for a photography session is a great last minute Christmas gift.

It reflects your understanding of the recipient’s values, whether it’s their love of family, appreciation for photography or desire to document life’s moments. It looks super thoughtful... but in reality it takes seconds to buy and send! Perfect.

Gift vouchers towards my family photography sessions can be purchased here. Alternatively if you’re looking for a present to give someone with a passion for travel or gardening, do browse my collection of fine art travel and botany prints.