It is the beginning of September, and it pains me to speak to you about the holidays when fall hasn’t even started. I’ll be recycling this post closer to the actual holidays, but because everything in my shop is time-sensitive, I figured it’s better to be prepared than to not deliver later!

When should I buy my holiday gifts?

You should order any fine art prints or postcards before December 1st if you want it to arrive in time for Christmas. (If the holiday you celebrate comes before the 25th, please plan accordingly and see my shipping notes for any item you are interested in).

All my fine art prints are made-to-order, hence why I need the lead time to place your order with my lab. I do not keep inventory, except on postcards, but very little, due to lack of space.

When should I book a family portrait session for holiday cards?

You should book any portrait session before November 11th if you want to print your holiday cards by December 1st.

Because I shoot film, I require four business days to ship your film to my lab and four business days for them to process it. I also factor in time to do light editing.

The last available portrait session for this deadline is November 11th. Any session booked after this date will not have a December 1st (or earlier, depending on when you book) delivery date.

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Now for the fun part! A gift guide featuring my shop favourites and some friends’ rad small businesses.

My Favourites from the Print Shop

Paris Postcards, $29. All my Paris photos in my shop, in postcard format.

Fine Art Print: Dahlias on the rue Cler, $89-475. (Digital download, $15). This was my favourite florist in my neighborhood in Paris, on a small and charming market street.

Fine Art Print: Champagne, Rilly-la-Montagne, $89-475. (Digital download, $15). Champagne is a string of villages anchored by their vineyards. I cycled up a huge hill for this photo (and almost got run over by a truck).

Fine Art Print: Joy in Borgogne, $89-475. (Digital download, $15). Bourgogne is another storied wine-producing region south of Paris. We were visiting one of my favorite towns, Beaune, when we saw these birds take flight. It was purely by chance; I didn’t have time to adjust my camera settings. I shot until they disappeared and hoped for the best!

Gift a portrait session, $574.

For yourself or someone else! To mark a life occasion (anniversaries, birthdays, or just because); for the young family in your life that needs to freeze time; for the senior girl off to college next year; for the small biz owner you know that’s just starting out and needs some photos for their website; the list goes on. If gifting, the recipient must schedule their session within the first three months of 2021.

Snag volume 1 of A Cultivated Life, $39.

Four artists spend a year in Paris, searching for home. Here is the result. A collaboration with Hope, Madeleine, and Sarah presenting our body of work from Paris and home — wherever that is. Photographs, poems, words, and drawings to express the loss and the longing, the little victories and pure joy.

Take a peek at Kindred & Co.

Kindred’s mission is to help women focus on being instead of doing, leading wholehearted, intentional lives. The Kindred Planner is a great place to start. Make it an easy gift with the Kindred Box. And for the writers? A Kindred Journal will help you #liveeverydaykindred.

Flirty and feminine stationery, gift wrap, and accessories from A Thing Created. 

Erisha makes elegant stationery and other personalised goodies for the “modern woman with a classic eye.” Art prints, note pads, phone cases, gift wrap. I’m loving this peony print, this gift wrap (takes me straight to Paris), and this custom stationery (girl holding an overflowing armload of flowers, what’s not to love?).

Watercolor art prints and custom illustrations from Olive and Orange.

Found Annie on Instagram and love the Impressionist touch to her artwork that takes me to faraway seasides and other chic destinations. You can also commission a custom artwork! Loving this Venice print, these flowers on the Amalfi Coast, and this cool color palette.

Words to point you home from Hopefolio.

I met Hope — poet, artist, newly-minted Master in Fine Art at the Sorbonne — in Paris. Her research on home fascinated and resonated with me at a time when I was searching for where I belonged. You can get your hands on a digital copy of her master’s thesis, which is brilliant (and also has photos by yours truly inside). And, inspired by the times, she created a book of poetry during quarantine, titled Shelter in this Place. Digital copies available.

Happy hand-lettered holiday cards + cute crochet by Happy Thought Indeed.

My lovely friend Isabella is a maven in hand-made goods. Quaint embroidered greeting cards and the most adorable crocheted stuffies!!! I’m all about these fruit and ice cream cards.

Tasty, adorable scented food jewellery from Decadent Mini.

On a bright, clear San Francisco day, I met Trina and her daughter at City Hall, where there happened to be a crafting fair. Smitten with a macaron necklace, I struck up conversation and have been following Trina ever since. I love the passion that’s behind her work, and as a Francophile, am currently pining away for these macaron earrings, but this gingerbread man necklace definitely puts me in a holiday mood.

Take that 2020 vacation with photos from travel photographer Kirsten.

I’ve been following Kirsten for a while and can confidently say she’s one of a kind. I admire and appreciate the depth and care she puts into her content, with heavy emphasis on good travel stewardship. Honest, transparent, informative, educational. She’s created amazing work highlighting great places, and also has a print shop. Float down the canals of Venice; stare down the statues of Paris; or travel through a winter wonderland with her photographs.

Decorate your home with doodles by Letters from Mal.

Mallory is a mutual friend I met in Paris, via Hope. I love her playful lettering style — and there’s so much French in her shop! A cute “coucou” (French diminutive for hi) print; Parisian rooftops; and the flashy (but still classy) Opéra Garnier will be on my favourites.

Keep kids entertained with a Camp Kit.

If your kids (or kids in your life) are like many these days, they’re distance learning. Spice it up with a Camp Kit from Kate! Themed, scripture-based activities for kids up to 11 years old. Guidebook, activity and craft supplies, and video content to keep them engaged and having fun.

I am a San Francisco Bay Area film photographer specialising in senior girls, families, love stories, and (personal) brands. Want to work together? Get in touch! I’d love to know your story.