A photo session makes a great gift because it's something most people want and almost never book for themselves: new parents, grandparents, a friend who needs a headshot, a mom who's always behind the camera. The key is choosing the right session for the person, and making the booking easy for them. Here's how to do it.
Why a photo session works as a gift
Most of us have plenty of things. What we don't have is a good photo of ourselves with the people we love, where everyone's in the picture, including the person who usually takes the photos.
A photo session gift:
- Solves a real problem. Families mean to book photos every year and keep putting it off. A gift turns "someday" into a date.
- Lasts. The photos end up framed, on cards, in albums, and passed around the family.
- Includes the giver, if you like. A session for your parents can include you and your siblings too.
- Suits almost any budget. From a short mini session to a long one for the whole extended family.
How to give a photo session
Booking is simple, and gifting can be simple too.
- Choose the session that fits the person. See the list below.
- Tell them in a card. Write which kind of session it is, which photographer you have in mind, and that you'll book it together, or that they can pick their own date.
- Book the date with them. Browse photographers, choose a session and an open time on the profile that works for their schedule, and pay online. Your card is only charged once the photographer accepts, usually within 48 hours.
- Let the photographer know it's a gift. Mention it in your message, so they can plan around who is being photographed.
If you have questions about gifting a session, check our FAQ or message us.
A small tip: let the person choose the date. A surprise booking is lovely in theory, but family schedules, nap times and work calendars make it easier for them to pick.
Which session suits which person
Matching the session to the person is what makes the gift feel thoughtful. Lengths, prices and what is included vary by photographer, so check the profile.
New parents
A newborn session. Newborn photos are best in the first couple of weeks, so give this gift before the birth and let them book with an estimated due date. Browse newborn photographers, and read newborn photography in NYC to see what's involved.
Expecting parents
A maternity session, which works well in the third trimester. See maternity photographers.
A mom or dad who's never in the photos
A family session of 45 to 60 minutes, ideally with a couple of sets or backdrops. A perfect Mother's Day or Father's Day gift. See Mother's Day photoshoot ideas and Father's Day photoshoot ideas.
Grandparents
A longer group session with room for ten or twelve people, so every branch of the family fits. Siblings often split this as a gift for a parent's milestone birthday or anniversary, so the whole family is in the picture. More in holiday photos with grandparents.
A family with young kids
A holiday or seasonal mini session, usually 20 to 30 minutes in one themed set. Short sessions suit toddlers, and the photos double as a holiday card. In NYC, minis often run $150 to $350.
Someone starting a new job or business
A headshot session, a practical gift for a graduate, a career change or a small business launch. Read professional headshots in NYC, then browse headshot photographers.
A first birthday
A milestone session with a cake smash set. It's often the session parents love most from the first year. See milestone photographers.
Best occasions for a photo session gift
- Mother's Day and Father's Day, especially from older kids or a partner.
- Baby showers, for newborn or first-year photos.
- Holidays, as a December gift or one booked for next year's card.
- Milestone birthdays and anniversaries, particularly for parents and grandparents.
- Graduations and new jobs, with headshots.
- "Just because", for a friend who's been through a hard year and would love some good photos.
Making the gift easy to use
A gift that sits in a drawer helps nobody. A few ways to make sure it gets used:
- Include a deadline in the card, loosely. "Let's book it before spring" gives a gentle nudge.
- Offer to help with logistics. For new parents, offer to come along and hold the diaper bag.
- Share the outfit tips. Our family photo outfit guide takes away the "what do we wear" worry.
- Explain what's included. The profile lists the sets, the number of edited photos and the delivery time, so you can pass that on.
Quick answers
Can I give a session to someone else?
Yes. The simplest way is to choose the photographer and session together with them, let them pick a date, and book it online. Check our FAQ for other questions about gifting.
What's the best photo session gift for grandparents?
A longer group session that fits up to ten or twelve people, so grandparents can be photographed with every branch of the family.
Is the card charged right away?
Your card is held when you book and only charged once the photographer accepts, usually within 48 hours. If they decline, the hold is released in full.
Find a photographer
Choose a session that fits the person you're gifting and browse photographers in NYC and Long Island to find a date that works.