When I was pursuing a career the information technology field I would often get asked “What computer should I buy?” and my response would be “How do you plan on using it?” In understanding how the person planned on using the computer I could make a recommendation that would help them to get the best deal for their money.

As a photographer, I get asked during the Christmas season “How much do you charge to shoot family portraits?” I’d respond with the price and then ask “What’s your plan for the photos?” or some variation of that question. I won’t normally leave it there, I’d ask a few more questions to better understand why you want a family portrait.

If you don’t know what you’ll do with the images after they are delivered to your inbox it means you’re going to waste your money and I don’t want you to waste your money (I know this sounds counter-intuitive coming from a photographer that should be eager to take your money 😁).

In Jus’ Print It I shared with you 3 reasons why you should print your family portraits. Can I share a few more things you could do with your family portraits this Christmas?

Okay, here goes …
  1. Create an e-card
    Use an online service like Canva or Smilebox to make an e-card which you can email to family and friends during the Christmas holidays. You could even do variations of this e-card and share using WhatsApp and other social messaging services.

  2. Print a postcard
    Identify a local printing service and have them design and print a physical card on which you have a handwritten note. Then deliver it to whomever you desire. You can even go one step further and have custom cards for each person using a different photo for each. This way everyone feels special and not like you mass-produced the cards.

  3. Print a custom calendar
    Identify a local graphic design service provider that will layout your calendar and take care of the printing for you.

    You can even use the calendar to highlight each family member’s birthday. When our first son was born my wife designed a calendar and gave to the grandparents; our firstborn is now 9 years old and my mother still has the calendar today – she often shows him when he visits asking “Do you know who this is?”

If you didn’t book a family portrait session this year. That’s fine, blow the digital cobweb off last year’s photos and try one of the suggestions above.

Please give some thought to why you’re booking a photographer to take family portraits this Christmas.

Do you already know what you want to do with your family portraits? Great! Check out how to take the awesomest family photos by clicking here.