I love Birthday and Christmas time
Precious time with family and friends, gift and cards galore make for happy times. Time comes and goes so fast that such milestones are the pillars of the year that often hold family memories together. I’m lucky enough to often get cash as gifts and always place it in my special money box. I like to make sure that I actually spend it on something that matters, as opposed to it getting sucked up paying for groceries or bills.
But sometimes I get it horribly wrong
Why? Research tells us that experiences outweigh any physical gift and leave a bigger and longer lasting mark. Just think about gifts you have received or money you have spent in the last twelve months and ask yourself if you are still using them? I’ll never forget I badgered my parents for a sewing machine a few years ago. I am ashamed to say that I have only used it twice. The guilt and regret gets me every time I see it lying under a dust sheet in our spare room.
Is it time to do things different in 2018?
Instead of making those same mistakes again, think about my four reasons why spending money on family photography could be the best investment you make in 2018.
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It lasts and lasts for generations to come.
A classic, well composed, high quality photo can sit on a mantelpiece for years. Outweighing any fad of a present, it is a piece of history that remains with your family forever.
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It’s an investment in you because you deserve it.
Time passes so quickly that you deserve to take the time to appreciate your family for what it is just now. We all do it, complain, particularly when it comes to little ones, about how quickly they grow and develop. Creating a suite of photographs that document time standing still will ensure there is no regrets of “I wish I had taken that photo…..” NOTE – Mums, I am talking directly to you as you are often your own worst enemy!
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It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
If you choose an affordable photographer who provides excellent value for money which includes the digital images, you can use the images to create gifts for friends and family. Whether this be a thank you gift to the person who gave you the funds to buy the photos in the first place, to Mother’s and Father’s Day gift, the choice is yours! We are so lucky these days to be able to purchase everything from the usual frames to mugs, t shirts and phone covers. Here is just one of the creative things my clients have done in the past!
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A photographer can take better, higher quality, creative photos which can include everyone in them!
There is usually at least one person in every family who hates having their photograph taken but a good photographer will always ensure that everyone feels comfortable and relaxed. There’s no denying either that the quality of photographs taken by a professional photographer just can’t be replicated from an iPhone either.
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Photographers can also work magic like this!
Look carefully, how many things can you see that are different and take away distractions? This takes time and skill to achieve!
Life’s too short for regrets. Don’t let a lack of family photographs be a regret in your life. Regardless, just make sure that, if nothing else, you spend your gift money wisely this year.
Other blog posts you might find useful:
The truth: Why are photographers SO expensive?