This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,076, Oct. 27, 2026. Today's theme is, "Printing for the Holidays." I'm Derrick Story.
One of the best parts about printing your holiday gifts is that you can create something that has meaning for the recipient, and at the same time let's you share your skills as an artist. But there are a few things to keep in mind for these types of gifts, and I'm going to cover those on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
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Printing for the Holidays
At first, you might think that no one would be interested in one of your prints for a holiday gift. But that's not necessarily the case, especially if you keep these few things in mind
Getting the Right Dimensions
People tend to be choosy about what they hang on the wall. And rightly so. It is their personal space.
That's why presenting a framed 16x20 print as a gift puts them in an awkward position. Even though the image might be absolutely lovely, it's probably not something they would choose themselves for the living room.
Generally speaking, smaller framed prints, such as 5"x7"s in a frame that can sit on a desk or occupy an unspoken for area of wall space tend to be more welcome.
Subjects Are Important
You may be very proud of the portrait of the Great Blue Heron that you captured during a summer outing, but as pretty as it is, it might not resonate with a person who wasn't there at the time.
But a candid of a mom and her daughter at a birthday party, a father congratulating his son at a wedding, parents holding hands during a family gathering - those special moments, preserved in a framed 5x7 print, can mean the world to the recipient.
Practical and Beautiful
I'm a big fan of fine art note cards, especially when pulled together in a set of six with envelopes. There are the traditional rectangle formats, but there are also square formats that feel even more special.
A beautiful series of flowers or landscape shots are wonderful subjects for note cards. And they can be passed along as a thank you note or recognition of a kindness.
Think About the Person Receiving the Gift
The bottom line is, if you think about meaningful things for the person receiving the gift, and choose something along those lines your handcrafted offering, it can be truly wonderful.
But the time to start thinking about it is now...
Not Confident in Your Printing Skills?
I can help with that too. Our Inkjet Printing Workshop for Photographers begins on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern time. We will cover the ins and outs of inkjet printing, have a Q&A with Drew Hendrix of Red River Paper, and prepare your for fine art and holiday gift printing. Sign Up Today and join us.
This Week in the News
Sigma FP2: everything is better for the second-gen modular mirrorless camera as featured on DPReview.com
Apple Just Gave the iPad mini Its 'Biggest Update Ever' as featured on Petapixel.com
Absolutely magnificent 50s and 60s photos by the unparalleled genius Richard Avedon - the man who revolutionised fashion as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
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