Celebrating Dads and Grads | by New England Photographer Kristen Swain

I love that our spring celebrations reflect nature’s own rhythm and creative force. In May and June (in the U.S.) we celebrate moms, dads, and the graduates they have shepherded into adulthood, much like nature celebrates the gardeners who have dutifully cared for their plants from seed to sprout and beyond, with the end result being unique, vibrant, and colorful greenery and blooms. In colder climates, like ours here in New England, the energy of life is palpable this time of year. Everyone, from kids to adults to plants and animals, is so relieved that the freeze is behind us, and the warming sun lifts all of our spirits.  It’s a glorious time that feels long overdue by the time it arrives, and is always gone too soon.

Celebrating Dads and Grads | by New England Photographer Kristen Swain

In the United States, graduation and Father’s Day both follow shortly after Mother’s Day, so by this time of year, many of us are about mid-way through our family-oriented spring holidays and major events.  And if you have kids, you’re also busy with sports, year-end performances and recitals, preparing for the end of the school year, and triple checking your plans to make sure you’ve got the kids covered with childcare and activities for summer break. Needless to say, by the end of May, spring is springing and it’s … A LOT. All of these spring celebrations are so joyous … but if you’re a gift-giving family, it can also feel really hard to keep up.  

As a family and nature photographer, I feel pretty confident saying that my business truly does offer something for everyone on your spring gift list.  In that spirit, today I’m sharing a couple of easy gift ideas for the Dads and Grads in your life.  (And if you’ve already done your shopping for this spring, bookmark this page for next March or April, and check off three stunning gifts in a matter of minutes. We don’t cover moms in detail in this post, but you can never go wrong with a motherhood or family session, fine art album, or framed photos of her favorites.)

FOR THE DADS

A new framed photo of your family, for his desktop, nightstand, or office gallery wall.  If you had a family session in the last year, head over to your pic-time gallery and use code DADSANDGRADS for 15% off everything in the store, now through June 17th.

Soothing coastal artwork to remind him that summer vacation is just around the corner.  Design it for him or buy him a gift card so he can pick out the print that resonates and truly transports him.  You can take 15% off here too, with code DADSANDGRADS.

Best Friend Portrait. Surprise your husband/dad/partner with the gift we all know he really wants: a new puppy! Just kidding. But a framed portrait of his four-legged shadow, or a photo session featuring his beloved pooch would be so meaningful. We know the time we have with our loyal furry friends is never quite long enough, and this gift is sure to bring a smile to his face – not just now, but for years to come!

FOR THE GRADS

Nantucket Print Shop Gift Card. For many young adults, graduation also means a big move and a new living space. Help them spruce up their dorm room or the empty walls in their new apartment with artwork from their happy place. A gift card to the Nantucket Print Shop is an ideal gift, as it allows your grad to select her favorite scene AND fully customize the piece to fit her needs and preferences. She’ll find countless ways to style her artwork, with options for everything from frame mouldings to sizing to matting. And our design assistance is always included, free of charge. Use code DADSANDGRADS for 15% off through June 17.

Headshots / Senior Photos.  Every grad also needs photos of themselves to mark this important milestone in their lives. Whether they put off senior photos and now realize they might actually want them before it’s too late, or they’re about to start a new job or job search and want to spruce up their professional profile, the grads in your life will be so grateful for an opportunity to capture photos that make it easy to upload or email over a headshot with confidence.  A Petite Session gift card covers a 30 minute session and 25 fully edited images for them to choose from.  Or upgrade to the Classic for a longer session that leaves time for multiple outfits and locations.  [Please note: I work on Nantucket all summer, so my headshot/branding sessions take place on the island during the months of June through August, and in the Boston area beginning in September.]

Celebrating Dads and Grads | by New England Photographer Kristen Swain