Giving your pictures as gifts

[daveleo]

With the holidays coming up (my anxiety level is already ramping upward) I have a question about gift giving.

I am thinking of making a few "coffee table" books of some of my pictures (scenics and generally pretty stuff) and giving them as gifts.

Would that be obnoxious or pretentious ?

 

[raid]

It could be a wonderful gift. Go for it.

 

[x-ray]

Dave I rarely see work that impresses me but you have some beautiful work. By all means make photographic gifts. Very nice!

 

[helen.HH]

love the idea....Eye Candy for the Holidays 😉

 

[raid]

Make sure to let us take a look at the finished product when you have it.

 

[helvetica]

That sounds very similar to what I'm doing - for each family member, finding a picture of them that is special to me from 2013 and printing it up in the darkroom!

 

[daveleo]

Thanks for the comments. I am encouraged and will go ahead with it.

My first trip into "Blurb" software 🙂

 

[lynnb]

Dave, the most treasured gifts are those where the giver has put their heart and soul into it. Even if the recipient doesn't find it entirely to their taste, it's the thought and personal touch that matters. Go for it.

 

[Gareth Rees]

A lovely idea

 

[jsrockit]

Dave, the most treasured gifts are those where the giver has put their heart and soul into it. Even if the recipient doesn't find it entirely to their taste, it's the thought and personal touch that matters. Go for it.

I agree with this... just try to cater to the aesthetic tastes of the recipient if you'd like them to actually hang it up! 🙂

Personally I would only do it if I knew the person was a fan of my photography or if they were in the picture.

 

[raid]

This thread is inspiring me to put together a "Dana and Lina" photo book based on years of photography (and lens testing!).

 

[boomguy57]

Every year since his birth, I make an annual book of my son's year that I give to grandparents, and other family. It is fantastically well received and I enjoy doing it.

Otherwise, I generally make books and give them out for other things like vacations or significant events. I've made prints as well. I think it's a great holiday gift--as long as it's reasonable to expect the recipient will enjoy it. That's all gift-giving should be about, anyway.

 

[shadowfox]

Dave, doing the photobook itself is a rewarding experience.
You would cherish the book in years to come.

Definitely do it.

 

[thebelbo]

Wow, what a great idea! It would be nice if you could also share the process for publishing (what you've used, etc.) it's a great idea for most photographers I think.

 

[JChrome]

+1 on the gift idea.

If I received that from a friend or family member, I would cherish it. Its much more personal than some other random gift.

I gave away prints of mine to different family members last year. Giving prints is considerably tougher because if one person doesn't like theirs but likes another persons moreso then you have to deal with that. I'm not one for jealousy so anything anyone gives me (aside from a pile of sh!t) I'll be happy with.

With the book, everyone gets the same thing and there's none of that emotional BS.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've given framed prints to a number of friends over the years. The photos I gave were ones they had told me that they loved, so I knew they would like them. Every person I've given framed prints to for Christmas or birthdays has been overjoyed. I think photos make a great gift. Your book should too.

 

[Takkun]

I did this as a past anniversary gift, and it wasn't too well-recieved. Probably because the (former) SO was frequently sick of my stopping everywhere to take pictures on trips.

Aside from that, I've never had a book received with less than overjoyed sentiment. I give people prints here and there fairly frequently, especially unmounted/framed proof prints, so getting a well-designed, bound book is a special treat. My parents themselves said they'd rather get a book every year than anything else.
It's not obnoxious or pretentious, especially if copy is kept to a minimum.

 

[nikon_sam]

One would be lucky to be on your list to receive this gift...

 

[furcafe]

Possibly both? 😉

Not to be a contrarian in this thread, but I would be hesitant to give my photos as the only gift for Xmas/Chanukah (not a problem in addition to more traditional gifts), simply because I'm risk averse & am confident that my personal taste/aesthetic is not wholly shared by everyone in the family (even if I were to use an edit that was more accessible). Obviously, that's my personal take & your family/friends may be completely different.

I am thinking of making a few "coffee table" books of some of my pictures (scenics and generally pretty stuff) and giving them as gifts.

Would that be obnoxious or pretentious ?

 

[daveleo]

Glad to read the new comments.

I do plan to be very selective about who gets a copy, and I am well aware who likes my pictures and who would NOT appreciate a book.

I expect to give out maybe 5 or 6 copies as gifts. But these are generally the people closest to me and I want them to be happy about it. (My wife thinks it's a wonderful idea, and she understands people better than I do, so I am getting support on this.)

I very much appreciate the feedback here.