5 reasons why a portrait session makes the perfect gift

There aren’t many things quite as satisfying as watching somebody you love open a thoughtful gift you’ve bought them. Their face lights up, and you see how happy they are. It’s a fantastic feeling, and you earn the right to feel a bit smug.

But finding the perfect gift for someone is bloody hard.

The good news is that it’s something that we all struggle with! A recent survey found that nearly half of us have experienced anxiety trying to find the perfect gift, and that only increases when it comes to buying for partners or parents.

Over the last few years, more and more people have turned to gifting experiences instead of traditional presents. Experiences are a fantastic present for people who prefer memorable moments to material gifts (or who seem to already have everything else you think of!).

And what’s a better way to capture memorable moments than with a session with a professional portrait photographer? If you’re looking for something special or stuck looking for gift ideas, this guide dives into five reasons why a portrait session could be the perfect gift for your loved one (or yourself!). It also shows you how easy it is to book a professional photographer in a few simple steps.

Featured images by London based portrait photographer Andy Go

1. Give a highly personalised gift

Professional Portraits by Jamie Norman
With a portrait session with a professional photographer, you can tailor the session to the recipient, like in these shots by portrait photographer Jamie Norman

Probably the best reason a portrait session is a perfect gift is that it’s super personal. It shows that you’ve put some time and effort into thinking about it and not just picked something off the shelf. It’s tailored to the person you’re buying for, as you can choose a portrait photographer whose style matches up with your loved one.

There are lots of different portrait photographers available that specialise in:

  • Family portraits — Perfect for parents (new and older)
  • Couple shoots — Great for celebrating relationships and milestones
  • Personal branding sessions — Ideal for anyone looking to enhance their professional image or job hunting
  • Pet shoots — Spot on for any pet parents

When you book someone a portrait session, they’ll be able to work with the photographer to get exactly what they want. And, at the end of the session, they’ll come out with not just one gift but a whole bunch of fantastic shots.

2. Help them make a lasting memory

Dolly Shah Professional Portraits
This family portrait shot by Dolly Shah is a perfect example of helping loved ones make cherished memories.  

Some people are notoriously hard to buy for and a lot of typical gifts won’t really do the trick when it comes to special occasions. A lot of the time, people that are hard to buy for are people who prefer more sentimental gifts and a portrait session gives them memories that last a lifetime.

Most of us now have a camera in our pockets, but that doesn’t make it easier to capture moments together as one person is usually taking the photos or we have to take selfies. But with a professional portrait photographer, they’re there to capture those moments of everyone.

Professional photographers have the skill of capturing the essence of their subjects and making everybody feel at home in front of the camera. Photographers also have a knack of capturing those in-between moments of genuine emotion that are tricky to catch but make for incredible shots.

Not only that but the quality of professional portrait shots is next level. They have the skills and equipment to take photos that won’t just sit in your camera roll but will be displayed, shared, and treasured.

Whether it’s a grandparent’s loving smile or a toddler’s playful antics, a professional portrait session means those precious moments are never forgotten.

3. Give them an enjoyable experience

Portrait, headshot and event photographers Islington London
A portrait session is a great way to give a loved one a massive confidence boost and get brilliant shots like this one by Krystian at Data Images

For some people, getting a portrait session as a gift might seem a bit daunting. The thought of being the sole focus of a photo shoot can be a bit intimidating, but it’s a fun and enjoyable experience because of how skilled portrait photographers are.

Professional photographers have a knack for making everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. They create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing the true personality of the person to shine through in the photos.

Professional photographers know how to offer gentle guidance and encouragement, helping people feel more confident as the session goes on. They also know the best angles, lighting, and poses to highlight the best features and create incredible images.

This means that not only does your loved one get loads of great photos from the session, but they’ll also get a massive confidence boost out of the experience.

4. Perfect for any occasion

Event & Property Photographer Coventry Warwickshire
Portrait sessions are a great way to help loved ones celebrate milestones like anniversaries and graduations, as shown in this shot by Arun at Photozy.

As you get older, you have more and more people and occasions in your life, and it gets tricky to find the right gift every time. But portrait sessions are a great gift for any occasion — birthdays, anniversaries, graduations…

For example, say you’re celebrating your anniversary. A portrait session is a beautiful way to celebrate your journey together and create lasting keepsakes of your milestone. Whether you choose a romantic outdoor setting or a cosy indoor shoot, a professional photographer can help you capture those intimate moments that you’ll cherish forever.

Or maybe you’ve got a niece or nephew graduating, a portrait session can give them professional shots that mark their massive achievement. You might even be able to combine a graduation shoot with a headshot session, so they have corporate portraits ready for when they’re done celebrating and start job hunting. Then they can use the photos for their LinkedIn profile, CV, or simply to share with family and friends.

Whatever the occasion, with the right portrait photographer, you’ll be able to give a gift that’s incredibly thoughtful and won’t end up gathering dust in a cupboard.

5. Help them support local artists and photographers

Family and newborn photographer in Hertfordshire
You can find photographers local to your loved ones to help them capture special moments, like in this shot by Marie at Baby Whispers, a family and maternity photographer in Hertfordshire.

More and more people are choosing to support their local community with their gift choices, and a portrait session is a perfect way to do just that.

When you book a portrait session, you’re not just giving a thoughtful gift, you’re also supporting a local artist. Photographers are small business owners who put a lot of passion and effort into their work. By hiring a local photographer, you’re helping them continue to do what they love and contributing to your community’s economy — a win-win.

Photographer for Hire makes it super easy to find nearby photographers. Whether the gift is for someone close to home or across the country, you can find a talented professional in their area. You can easily scroll through photographers based on location, view their portfolios, and contact them directly to arrange the perfect session.

Think a portrait session might be the perfect gift for someone?

Maternity & Newborn Photographer Stevenage Hertfordshire
Gifting a friend or family member a maternity photoshoot like this one by Olga Uzor gives the chance to cherish a very special time, forever.

Finding the perfect gift for a loved one can seem a bit daunting, but hopefully, now you’ve got another string to your bow when the next special occasion comes up.

A portrait session makes a super personalised gift, helps create lasting memories and it’s a fun and confidence-boosting experience. Plus, it’s a gift that works for every occasion and supports local artists.

The only downside is that you’ll struggle to top it in the future!

Photographer for Hire makes the process of finding and booking a photographer quick and easy. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to finding the perfect photographer for your gift session:

  1. Start your search by looking through our portrait photographers
  2. Browse through your options
  3. Look at photographers’ portfolios
  4. Get in touch with photographers and book shoots directly through our site.

Good luck with finding the perfect gift!

Categories
Tags