Don’t freak out, but Mother’s day is almost a week away!

Here are a few photographer-mom favorites for every budget!

1.  Meurel (2nd generation) – A large digital canvas for your wall!  Truly a unique gift that makes a statement in your home.

• • Cost: $345 – $699 (depending on size, frame, & generation)
  • Reasons it’s a hit: 
    • Easy to use (add images via the app on your phone)
    • Great picture quality!
    • Auto turns off
    • Hand motion (no touch) technology!
    • Display one image or have it shuffle through multiple photographs!
    • Can be hung vertical or horizontal.  You can be super nerdy like us and get the swivel mount that allows the canvas to rotate either way (worth the splurge) the canvas will recognize its orientation and load the appropriate images! 
  • Things to keep in mind: 
    • The frame on ours is plastic which doesn’t seem fitting for the price point. Not a reason to not purchase in my opinion but room for improvement with the next generation.
    • Because the screen is so crisp and large, if your photos aren’t in focus etc. it shows.  A great place to upload the images from your last professional portrait session!
    • The size is a tad odd, maybe sized for cell phone images?  Thankfully cropping an image in the app is all pretty straight forward!
    •  Setup could be considered a bit involved if like us you don’t like to see any wires!

 

 

2. Nest Hub Max by Google – Digital photo frame (with Google Photos), video chat (using Google Duo) and has Google Assistant

• • Cost: $230
  • Reasons it’s a hit:
    • A beautiful digital picture frame
    • Practical size
    • Easily video call with Google Duo (video calls are so clear making chats much more enjoyable)!  
    • You don’t have to hold your phone up to video chat (though that could be a con if you’re using video chats as your daily arm workout).
    • A multipurpose machine! (Has the Google Assistant, weather, news, alarm clock, calendar, you tube etc.)
    • Will read cooking recipe directions one step at a time, save your recipes etc.
    • Has facial and voice recognition so even with multiple google accounts, when it sees you it will pull up your news briefing, notifications associated with your account.
    • Hand motion (no touch) technology!
    • Connects with all your other Google Home smart items!
  • Things to keep in mind:
    • Google Duo doesn’t allow group video calls on the hub (why Google? why?!) – UPDATE: AS OF 7/2020 Group calls now available!!! wohoo
    • Not the most straightforward setup
    • There is a small learning curve

 

 

3.  Ashley Younkin Photography Mini Session Gift Card (contact me to purchase)

• • Cost: $150
  • Reasons it’s a hit:
    • Capture and preserve the most beautiful part of this phase in your life.
    • 5 beautiful updated family photos!
    • Quick and to the point! These 20 minute sessions are fast and efficient.
    • Your mom will stop trying to get a group photo whenever everyone’s together.*
    • Like the way you look! I have several tricks up my sleeve to help you look your best on camera!
    • Ready for the holidays!  A great way to get your next Christmas card photo!
    • Gift card holders receive the first opportunity to sign up for the session of their choice!
    • Professional digital images provide lots of opportunity for meaningful gifts over the next year!
  • Things to keep in mind:
    • You might need to shower and do your hair for the session.
    • Yup, obligatory self promotion going on here.

 

4. Brass Easel and Calendar by Artifact Uprising

• Cost: $49
• Reasons it’s a hit:
  • Beautiful way to showcase 12 of your most prized images from the year!
  • Perfect for a desk, nightstand, bookshelf, kitchen counter (it’s so beautiful it can do what it wants).
  • Can easily reorder replacement calendars, giving you a go to gift for years to come!
  • These easels are a great way to hold your phone up during a video chat, yes I’m speaking from experience.
  • You get to choose font, color and raised ink options, oh my!
  • The on site photo editing options have improved and are more helpful.
  • Trendy, on point…whatever the kids call it these days.
• Things to keep in mind:
  • Printing quality of the images is not to the same level as a professional printing lab.  Even so, my family still really enjoys these!  Overall a gorgeous product!

 

 

 

5. Google Photos Movie

• Cost: $0
  • Reasons it’s a hit:
    • Special and sentimental, it’s the modern version of the homemade cards we used to make on our computer (remember the software that helped you add the clipart so when you folded your printed card hamburger style in quarters everything was the right direction)?!
    • I love, love, love to watch these (hint hint to my hubby), and it doesn’t get any easier because Google photos uses facial recognition. Just type in your Mom’s name, it loads all the photos with her in them, select your favorite images/videos then select the plus sign at the top of the page (for the create menu), select Movie…DONE!
    • Flexibility to edit your movie (music options and order of the images)
    • Easy to share, save, send
    • Make a big to do about Mom, have a watch party with her favorite food and drink while casting the movie on the tv!
    • Short and sweet, these movies are the perfect length so you can watch them over and over
  • Things to keep in mind:
    • Sometimes the movie doesn’t zoom or crop on the right part of the image.
    • Editing isn’t as flexible as I wish it was sometimes, though I get why they kept it simple so it’s easy to use.
    • Must create the video on the Google Photos phone app, doesn’t appear available on the website version

 

I hope these ideas inspire you on your search for the perfect Mother’s Day gift!  Whatever direction you choose, when done in love you can’t go wrong!

Have suggestions to add?  Leave it in the comments below!