Thinking Outside the Photo Album

OK, so I promised a unique photo gift round up and I appreciate your resources for photo books on the day I asked for new ideas but laaaaadies.....come on now! Hasn't anyone else dabbled in photo stuff other than albums? I do know that the books out there are great. I've made a few before through MyPublisher. And a ultra hip NY photographer friend of mine was telling me about how fun the iphoto books are. She said that the softcover books in particular struck her fancy. But beyond books, even the most mundane household products can don a fab photo these days. I'm sure it's no mystery and most of you have seen stuff like this before but have any of you gotten one or ordered something for a gift? Your moms will love this stuff, I swear.

Walgreens Photo Center has got items like aprons, cutting boards, a deck of cards and candy tin (among tons of other stuff) you can put your photos on (who knew?). I do beleive they are offering a 20% discount on Mom's Day orders right now. I love a sale!

Exposures offers ideas like glass vases, bookmarks,make-up bags, and notepads. Many of the items found at Exposures are the kind that you put the photo into, so it might save a little time as opposed to the custom items.

Since you know Grandmas love to brag about their Grandkids, what about giving her photo stamps? That way she can show everyone her pride and joy! It may seem a little strange to give your mother stamps but you cannot tell me they aren't adorable and oh-so-practical!

I know you've all seen great photo jewelry but I'd never seen anything like this or this before. Wowwy. Pretty nifty huh? And Jill, the owner of Expressions Photo Design & Boutique is a fellow mom and photographer. Too cool!

And speaking of the creative endeavors of fellow moms, you MUST visit Lisa at Light Affection. The lights she makes are awesome. I happen to own a few so I know from first hand experience! I even have a limited edition nightlight over there of an image that I shot, FYI (it makes a great baby shower gift). But you don't need my photo in your light...you've got plenty of your own images that would be perfect! Tell Lisa I sent you.

OK, now it's your job to decide what you are giving Mom for Mother's Day. Good luck!

Oh, and the answer to my "how did I do that" question from yesterday is that I shot the image through a beveled glass window. My girls were outside playing while I was in my office (blogging, of course) when I took some pix of them through my window. The beveled part duplicated the image in that ghost like fashion. Pretty cool, huh?

Comments

[chris]

Here's a great idea for Mom's Day: custom made by YOU, photo tiles. But these aren't your everyday tiles, either. The company that supplies these tile kits is Tilano Fresco. You can find places that sell them near you by entering your zip code or you can order the kits off of the site. I've done them and they are gorgeous. And I am a little biased because they've asked to use some of my photography on their tiles to showcase on their website.(yeah, I'm tootin'my own horn a little!) If you go to the bottom of their webpage you'll see a link for their gallery to see everything you can make. Have fun!
http://www.tilanofresco.com/?pid=mothersday

[Amy Jo]

A friend once gave me a deck of cards with a ridiculous picture of me on them. I love them!

[melody]

I'm loving the jewelry and photo lights. And who knew Walgreens photo center had such stuff.

Thanks for telling us your photo secret...way cool.

[melody]

I'm loving the jewelry and photo lights.

Thanks for sharing your photo secret...way cool.

[Kimberly]

I never would have guessed beveled glass!

[Peetsmom]

What a bunch of GREAT ideas! Thank you!