I’ve received many requests for information on Gift Certificates for family sessions this holiday season. It is such a lovely and thoughtful gift idea.
So the short answer is YES! I do have Gift Certificates. They are very nicely printed and matted, making for a lovely presentation.
I encourage gift givers to consider two issues when making a gift of a portrait session. The first is to make sure that my style is the right fit for the recipient family. As you know from looking at my galleries, my style is casual, earthy, and honest. And some families like their portraits more formal, more perfect, or more studio. There’s no right or wrong here, just a matter of style and fit.
The second issue involves pricing. If you pay the session fee ($125) as a gift, the recipient will need to invest additional funds to get prints and products. I generally recommend that if you are going to surprise someone with a Gift Certificate that you make the amount enough to cover the session fee and at least one wall portrait. (For an 11×14 print, this would be a total of $225 for the session and wall portrait.) But know that most clients will want more than one wall portrait, so make sure my pricing makes sense economically for the client.
I am currently offering a few special GIFT CERTIFICATE PACKAGES at a great value. These are available now through December 20th for sessions to be scheduled in 2012. These packages are for new FAMILY sessions and include the session fee for a one-hour family session and the products listed, effectively eliminating the session fee and reducing significantly the print and digital file prices. A typical family session results in 40-50 images for review.
SIMPLE MEMORIES $299 ($515 Value)
- 11×14 Gift Portrait
- 2 8x10s
- 6 5x7s
DREAMY DIGITAL DEAL $499 ($875 value)
- All presented session images on a disk, as high-resolution jpeg files ready to print
STORYBOOK GATHERING $729 ($1075 value)
- 11×14 Wall Portrait
- 8×8 30-Page Album (25-30 images custom-designed with a photo cover)
Additional prints available at 20% off.
As for the fine print, let’s keep this sensible…
The recipient may substitute and upgrade the package to fit their needs, applying the certificate value to an alternate collection, based on pricing at the time of the session.
Gift Certificates for specific packages must be used in 2012 to lock in this pricing. In 2013, these packages are no longer available, but the price paid for the Gift Certificate may be applied to then-current session and product fees. The Gift Certificate expires on December 31, 2013.
Please note that Laura Brophy Photography is often booked 6-8 weeks ahead and schedules on select dates only. Please call well in advance to inquire about availability and schedule a session.
These Gift Certificates may not be applied to a December 2011 session and may not be applied retroactively to completed sessions.
The Gift Certificate must be used in one session and will not be refunded in part or whole.
The Gift Certificate may be used for a family session with up to six immediate family members. Additional subjects are $25 each. The Special GIFT CERTIFICATE PACKAGES may not be used for a senior session, although you may purchase a Gift Certificate for a certain value to be applied to a Class of 2013 session.