Client Gift Ideas

by Heather Skau

‘Tis the season for showing appreciation for the people in our lives,  including clients!  While many photographers include a gift for their clients with order delivery,  some photographers prefer to reward their best customers at the end of the year, during the traditional gift-giving season.  Whichever method you choose, one thing is for sure – you can have a lot of fun with these tokens of appreciation.

To me, the best gifts are unexpected, and deliciously wrapped.  Imagine receiving a package that you hadn’t expected.  You’re already delighted because of the surprise of the gift.  It only adds to the fun if the item is beautifully presented and fun to open.  Small prints are something that almost every client loves.  Try a new PhotoFolio by Loktah for  lush presentation and display of 4×6 or 5×7 prints.

Photo calendars are a huge hit with my clients.  They are inexpensive and easy to create, so like many photographers, I can give them to each client who had a session with me in a given year.  To keep this task simple, I create a folder at the beginning of the year into which I put a favorite image from each client session.  Then at the end of the year, I can drop each image into a calendar template (visit the Portrait Allure Shop to purchase some), and order them as 5×7 proofs.  I attach an adhesive magnet to the back of each (Magnet Valley is a good source) and include them with my studio holiday cards.  Be sure to check postage requirements, as the magnet adds quite a bit of weight.

With many pro labs offering gorgeous accordion mini-books these days, it’s a no-brainer to include these cuties on the list of great gifts for clients.  Lisa Holloway, of LJHolloway Photography in Lake Havasu, AZ,   keeps the presentation simple but classy, with each mini-book tucked into a mesh bag.  She ties in her branding colors by attaching a kraft tag with her website info with a simple, tiny safety pin.

Combine the photo calendar idea with the accordion mini-book idea for your best clients – try our Just Beachy template.

Props for presentation to Diana Hall of Diana Hall Photography in Fort Worth, Texas.   For client gifts several  years ago, Diana used tiny folios from Cypress to artfully display two small images.  The folio was then slipped into a vellum bag from Bags & Bows, and cushioned with shredded tissue.  The gift was finished with a bow of tulle, which secured a folded bookmark (from WHCC) expressing her thanks to her clients.

Whether you’re presenting a small gift to all customers, or a special treat to your most loyal clients,  a perfect way to finish it off is with a handwritten note.  In these days of texts and emails, taking the time to write out your appreciation is a gift in itself.  Vicki Taufer of  VGallery slips a small session image into a handmade ribbon-tied card (made in-house), and personally writes her thanks to the client inside.

Do you have your own unique, fun, beautiful (or all three!) client gift idea to share?  Email a picture of your special touches to us, and you’ll receive a coupon code for use at the Portrait Allure shop!  The best submissions will be featured in a follow-up article, so show us what you’ve got!