Photographs as gifts (Page 2): I give metal prints, much less expensive than going the frame and mat route. My clients love them.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

axiesdad wrote:

Over the years I have taken a few pictures that I think at least approach being art. I sometimes think about giving framed copies as gifts (I've shared most of the pics that would be candidates on this forum) but then I start to wonder if that isn't just ego run amok. Does anyone else have a similar quandary.

I give metal prints, much less expensive than going the frame and mat route. My clients love them.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I give canvas prints with the inch and a half deep wrap. It stands out from the wall and doesn't need a frame. Although they can be framed for a different look.
I gave one to my physical therapist after a major surgery to my leg. She taught me how to walk again for which I will be forever grateful. Hers is the only signed one.
I have given several to family members including a sister who decorated her new house with a whole wall of them.

National Park

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National Park

I don't mean to throw cold water on this discussion, but I think you have to consider the position you may be putting the recipient of the photograph in. What a person wants to hang on their wall is a matter of personal taste. Just because I love a particular photo I took it doesn't mean a friend or loved one will love it to the same degree that I do and wants to see it on their wall. And if they don't want to see it on their wall but I have given it to them, I have put them in an awkward position. My advice is to not give framed photographs as presents unless you are absolutely, totally sure that they want them.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

axiesdad wrote:

Over the years I have taken a few pictures that I think at least approach being art. I sometimes think about giving framed copies as gifts (I've shared most of the pics that would be candidates on this forum) but then I start to wonder if that isn't just ego run amok. Does anyone else have a similar quandary.

I think it's fine, especially if the person receiving the gift has shown some appreciation for your images. Family members are obvious targets for photos of them and their loved ones.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

You could always share your photos with an annual photo calendar.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

National Park wrote:

I don't mean to throw cold water on this discussio... (show quote)

I can vouch for the throwing of "cold water" since several years back I received a very ordinary and blurry couch-sized (24 X 36") mounted print, sigh.
The gift-givers seem to think that the pic would look great in our living room, sigh.
I am wondering how to break the news to them that the pic was stolen, broken in a fall, or otherwise destroyed by a visiting three-year-old.
Please give me ideas if you have dealt with this sort of conundrum before, sigh. . .

Personally, I have three large digital frames throughout the house to display my prize (in my mind only) shots.
The digital frames literally have thousands of pics of my "best memories, friends, etc." on them, and I seldom see the same pic in a month.

Edit: At their request, I give my gift-givers a calendar of my best pics every year.

Smile (through your mask),
JimmyT Sends

anotherview Loc: California

Relegate the print to the garage. Put up something else in its place. If asked about it, just say you changed the décor. An adult will understand.

Alternatively, you could hang the print elsewhere in your abode.

Or if a visitor likes the print, offer to give it away. Then you could say that another liked it so much you let the person take it.
This opinion should satisfy the gift-giver.

Jimmy T wrote:

I can vouch for the throwing of "cold water&q... (show quote)

LCD

I accompanied my wife at a family reunion of her and took a bunch of photographs, including a group shot. On the last day we met at a restaurant for breakfast and I was able to present everyone with that group shot that I had printed at Wal-Mart. I even did one that was extra large for one family matriarch who had poor eye-sight. I hope they appreciated it, but it made me feel good.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Despite how much I like the pictures I take, I would never consider one to be gift quality. Art means different things to different people. This reminds me of comedy shows on TV where a character gives a framed photo of himself as a gift to someone.

Somewhat related: handmade gifts. I knew a wealthy old woman who said that a real gift should be handmade, not store-bought. She did a lot of photography, and she often gave people her framed photos as gifts.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

LCD wrote:

I accompanied my wife at a family reunion of her and took a bunch of photographs, including a group shot. On the last day we met at a restaurant for breakfast and I was able to present everyone with that group shot that I had printed at Wal-Mart. I even did one that was extra large for one family matriarch who had poor eye-sight. I hope they appreciated it, but it made me feel good.

That's a very good idea, and I have given people pictures I took at gatherings. I would never give someone one of my photos as a birthday present, though.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

I only give them to someone after they say how much they like it. I then ask them if they would like to have it, and do they have a place for it. It runs about 50/50. Gives them the opportunity to say they don't have a place for it or if they like it, but not enough to want to have it.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

quixdraw wrote:

I have gotten quite a few framed art works as gifts from friends - pen and ink, etchings, lithos, no photos, Coals to Newcastle factor. The gifts are hung and enjoyed every day. Ex to another photographer, though I have given downloadable images on request, I think a nicely framed photo is an excellent gift, esp with the cost of framing!

Were any of those gifts to you C. M. Russel paintings or ink drawings that you would like to regift to me by chance. Asking for a friend. Ha.

You and your family have a Merry Christmas my friend,

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

axiesdad wrote:

Thanks, Everyone, for your input. I'm still not sure what I'll do, but I do feel encouraged by your comments.

Simply put, you need to do what YOU think is best. The opinions of the rest of us don't matter do they? If your photos are well done and mean something to the recipient than by all means give a photo. If it is an out of focus photograph of some scene or object that means nothing to anybody but you then it would be a poor choice for a gift. Only your opinion matters.

Dennis

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

A gift is something that you want to give without any qualifications. The recipient can take it or leave it without any qualifications. It’s the thought that counts. It’s like accepting a rock from a little child - it’s the best rock they have.