You are thinking of surprising someone with a family portrait for their birthday…should you tell them before the day? I often get asked this question.In most cases the answer is yes…but not always. I had a client who arranged family portraits as a complete surprise to all the people involved…what a sweet gift. They were just driven up to my portrait studio here in Christchurch, and we went to a park around the road. The results are lovely, and it was so sweet to see the effort that went into setting it up.
But the big question is…do people need time to prepare? Usually the answer is “yes”, especially us girls…but probably some guys too. We love to make an extra special effort with our clothes, hair and makeup. We tend to wear what suits us best, and make sure we are feeling great.
A surprise on the day can be great, and if all your family is very relaxed, then take a punt and keep it a surprise. But if you think your loved ones would like a little warning, it is still just as lovely that you have organised it all for them, and maybe let them know the day before what is going on.
I once had a client who surprised his wife with a portrait of him with his 3 children. It was all ready for the actual day of her birthday (framed images ready to hang)…and she could see the effort that everyone had gone to (ie getting ready…going to the session without her knowing…viewing the images…returning to collect the favourites). But the night before he gave them to her, a friend said “but won’t she feel sad that she is not in them?”…we hadn’t thought of that!
So the options are to surprise them, to let them know a day or two before, or to organise a voucher and give them that on the day. Most people would prefer some notice….but go with the surprise if you think they will handle it well.