Everyone enjoys getting gifts during the holidays but there are few things that are as personal as a photo of you. What's more photographs are a real bargain even when they are done professionally. 

Think about it for a minute, that shirt may never be worn, the toy may be a duplicate and that fruit cake is destined for a re-gifting. But a photograph of you or your family is something that the person who receives it will likely not be getting rid of. Heck they may even place that photo on the wall for everyone to see. 

Why this is an awesome gift is obvious, why it is such a great value may not be. A professionally produced photograph, by all of the best estimates, should last somewhere between 150-300 years. Let's say you have paid between $5 and $500 for your photo, maybe you framed it for another $20 to $200. Yes this is a really large spectrum of pricing but factors like having a pro shoot the image versus one you have taken yourself and using a professionally matted and framed image versus an x-mart frame from the discount aisle, all play into account here. Either way you can’t go wrong… it’s a picture of you after all and who wouldn’t want that?

Now if you take into account the longevity of this image, your gift takes on a whole new meaning. From an investment standpoint this is one of the best gifts you’ll ever give someone. Over the course of time, that image could end up only costing you a few cents or dollars per year of enjoyment by the recipient. Show me a fruit cake that can do that…. Or for that matter a computer.  Now it would be nice to say that whoever you give your photo to will be around for the next 300 years but we know better. However, it’s that very fact that makes this such a great reason to give photos to friends and family. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. The minute you give away a photograph it becomes a part of your family history.

The photos we take today and give as gifts will ultimately become heirlooms. For this reason we suggest that any photo you give away have info about it included on the back of the print. Things like names of those in the shot, first and last, when the photo was taken and maybe even a short description of the event or occasion why the image was made. 

In 50, 100 or even 10 years, you will be glad that this info was there. I mean honestly can you remember everyone’s name in every photo you took 10 years ago. Me either. Document it for your great, great, great grandchildren, the little story you put on the back of a photo could be a truly rare find in 300 years. The amazing part is that years from now, the story will have an image and a connection to the people in it because you have taken the time to record more than just the photo.

So this year take a little time looking through your past, by looking at your photos. Better yet schedule a family portrait with a pro and make this holiday season an "heirloom" season.  - Aloha