6 photo gifts that are surefire hits

**This post contains affiliate links. But rest assured, all brands included in this post have been personally tested by yours truly and bought with my own cold hard cash :)

Let’s face it. Christmas shopping can be HARD. Everyone’s in search of that elusive perfect gift, and there are just so many options. I may be partial, but I’m a firm believer that you can’t go wrong with a quality photo gift. All of the brands below are ones that I’ve personally bought and gifted from over the years, and have yet to be disappointed.

Aura Frames

Digital photo frames have come SUCH a long way since the ones that first came out over a decade ago. Gone are the days of pixelated images and basic black designs. We have bought these frames for every single grandparent in our life, and they love them. The thing I most love is that you (or any family members you add) can add photos to the frame remotely from their app, so the recipient can always have the latest images of the kids, no matter their level of tech saviness.

Framebridge

If the one your shopping for is more analog than digital, Framebridge has the most beautiful, stress-free photo framing model out there. Simply upload your image or images, choose from their selection of gorgeous frames, and let them do the rest. Photos aside, they’ll also send the supplies to ship artwork or other items (think wedding invitations, playbills, or sentimental medals) to be framed… a service I adore for all the unique work I’ve collected over our years of travel.

Minted

If you’ve worked with me or received our family holiday card in years past, you know my love for Minted runs deep. Only twice in the past decade have I strayed from them thinking I may find something better, and spoiler: it doesn’t exist. The quality of their cards and printing is unmatched, and the real kicker is their free recipient addressing. It saves me actual hours every year! In addition to their cards, they also have a variety of gifts that are so perfect for everyone from kids to grandparents to your best friend. Just a few of the things I’ve purchased over the years: personalized labels for all of Miles’s school things (a great stocking stuffer!), art prints (like this one Miles requested for his plant/jungle themed room), the sweetest framed silhouettes of my boys, personalized thank you cards, and so much more.

Chatbooks

Okay, listen. I know I’m a photographer and quality should be of utmost importance (and it is 99% of the time), but Chatbooks just makes it too easy. While I don’t use them for our professional photos, I do love their softcover books for cataloging all the snapshots on my phone. If you use a hashtag on all the images on Instagram you’d like to include (I have individual ones for each of my kids), then Chatbooks will automatically populate books for you and send them when they’re ready. With that kind of time savings and at $10 a book, you just can’t beat it! These would make an awesome stocking stuffer to commemorate a favorite vacation from this year or just all the iPhone photos of the wonderful everyday moments.

Artifact Uprising

When you’re looking for a step up in quality, Artifact Uprising is the place to go. Whether it’s to commemorate your baby’s first year, a wedding, or a family yearbook, you won’t regret springing for their amazing layflat books. I also love their selection of gift items - I gave this particular one to Josh several years ago to keep on his desk. Bonus: new packs of photos for it make a great stocking stuff for years to come!

The Gift of a Photography Session

I, of course, can’t end this post without mentioning the gift of a photo session to capture this moment in time with the ones you love. Whether it’s generational photos, a personal branding session for the newly minted professional in your life, or an oh-so-sweet snapshot of life session in your home, you can’t go wrong with giving the grandparent, recent college graduate, or mom in your life the gift of memories. I guarantee your local favorite photographer would be happy to provide you with a gift certificate, and if that happens to be me, simply email elizabeth@glessnerphotography.com for more information.

BONUS! Several of the above stores are Rakuten partners, meaning you can get extra cash back on top of their sales! Just sign up for your Rakuten account here, install the plug-in on your browser, and get extra discounts on all your holiday shopping!

current obsessions :: greensboro photographer

In hopes that all you fabulous folks out there in cyberspace don't choose to label me as a loser forever, I have a confession. Today, I went to a movie. All by myself. But that's not the worst of it... I may have also eaten a large popcorn with extra butter. NO JUDGING, REMEMBER?

I haven't been to see a movie alone since college, and I must admit, it's pretty relaxing to be the only one there in the middle of the day with no long lines or trying to avoid having to sit next to someone else in a packed theatre.

And it all inspired me to do a post on my current obsessions. One that appeals to the senses... what I'm watching, reading, writing, eating, and listening to this week. So without further ado, here's this week's Friday Five.

1. Watch :: My solo movie adventure was all to see The Descendants. I'd been wanting to see it since it was released months ago, but never got around to it. Now that it's in the running for this weekend's Oscar for Best Picture, I decided there was no better excuse to go to the movies. It's horribly tragic and beautiful all at the same time. I'm not certain how it will fair at the Academy Awards with so many other great movies, but it's a winner in my book.

2. Read :: Yes. I do read Oprah magazine. I have to admit, my mom's the one that gifted the subscription to me, but I've grown to love it. The stories featured in each issue of women succeeding at what they love inspire my when I'm uninspired and lift me up when I'm down on myself. Plus, who can turn down advice from Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Dr. Oz all combined in one magazine?! Not this girl.

3. Taste :: Earlier this week, in an effort to try something new, I browsed my Pinterest board and discovered a gem of a recipe. Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta. Easy, vegetarian (if you're into that - personally, I'm an avid lover of bacon) and delish! Thank you Martha Stewart.

4. Write :: While I was in Chicago, my friend Miranda introduced me to this awesome little book called Wreck this Journal, full of crazy directions for filling and destroying it's pages. My favorite: tie a string around the journal and take it on a walk. It's definitely a great way to: A. make people believe you're clinically insane and/or B. release your inner child. Go. Buy it. Now.

5. Hear :: Young the Giant. I seriously had the song "Cough Syrup" stuck in my head for weeks after first hearing it on Alt Nation, and now, it's stuck there again after seeing it on the most recent episode of Glee. The rest of their self-titled debut album isn't to shabby either. Check it...

Now go out and enjoy the weekend!

bin 33 and AM rOdeO :: greensboro wedding photographer

Last night, Josh and I, along with a few friends, old and new, went to the fabulous Bin 33 to eat, drink and be merry, and boy, we did all three. We photographed a wedding at the restaurant a few weeks ago, but in the hustle and bustle of the day, we didn't have the chance to eat. We knew, just from the looks of it, we would have to get back to try the food and it sure was tasty (be sure to try the arborio rice fritters)!

I had seen earlier on Bin 33's Facebook page that a local pop band, AM rOdeO, was going to be playing there and decided we'd go check them out since we haven't really taken in any of the local music scene, even after nearly two years of living here. The duo was incredibly entertaining playing lots of popular cover songs, as well as a few originals.

They have a standing gig at Print Works Bistro in Greensboro, so if you get the chance, be sure to check them out on Wednesday nights! For more images from last night, head on over to our Facebook page.

It should also be noted that our table won two tickets to a Taylor Swift concert, so next week, I may be rocking to some angsty teenage country music in the midst of hundreds of 13 year old girls. More info to come on that!