Ten GREAT Mother's Day Gift Ideas (Vero Beach, FL Edition)

It’s almost here - Mother’s Day! One more week! This year Mother’s Day is on May 11th!

I know it can be a difficult day for many, for various different reasons, and if that is you, I am so sorry. Just go ahead and skip this post, and instead - whisper a prayer to the One who sees you, knows you and is waiting to comfort you.

I have a few GREAT gift suggestions, so read on if you need some ideas. (These are not affiliated, no links bring me any compensation. Just my real tried and true suggestions.)

Us moms are all very different, and where one might love a blender or another practical gift, another one would way prefer to get something more personal like favorite chocolate - or something they would not get for themselves. I am just going to list a few random ideas in no particular order.

Before we get started, TIP #1: Are you familiar with the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? Some moms are gift givers, meaning they will appreciate even the littlest token so much, but your mom may also be a acts of service mom, who would much rather have your help in cleaning her closets. The other love languages are physical touch, quality time and encouraging words. This book is well worth reading to help understand and love our loved ones.

• If Mom loves flowers, I wholeheartedly recommend getting flowers from Pura Vida Flower Farm, they even have weekly flower delivery for the month of May!

• Has mom been rubbing her neck or mentioning how she’s hurting? How about a massage? My go-to local person is Julie. You can also buy essential oils, elderberry syrup, or other products from her.
  

• (Almost) always a win: take mom out to eat! Breakfast at Lemon Tree or lunch at Casey’s Place? I’d love to go for dinner at Taj Mahal Masala (looks like they also have a weekend lunch buffet, yum!). Vero Beach has great ice cream spots, what about a getting a bunch of little gift cards to try different places?
  

• You absolutely can’t go wrong with a hand written card or letter sharing how much mom means to you. This one fits all budgets, too! (Also great for those encouraging words moms - from The Five Love Languages.)
  
  

• Does your mom have a book wish list on Amazon? Can you access it and get her a book? Or a pretty journal? This would be well paired with her favorite chocolate or candy. (Fazer chocolate and salty licorice are my favorites, just saying, haha!) Or nuts! My mother-in-law would prefer some yummy nuts over chocolate. My own mom loves Reese’s and Yorks from USA (go figure with alllllll the amazing Finnish chocolates!).
  
  

• It would be too late now to go to the Painted Frog and make something for mom for this Mother’s Day, but you could plan an outing to go with mom, or get her a gift certificate. I recently went with my younger girls, and we had such a sweet time painting our pottery pieces together.

• How about breakfast in bed? Make sure to get ingredients for something yummy beforehand, or take a quick run out in the morning for donuts, cinnamon buns or something you know mom would enjoy! If you cook something delicious for mom, make sure to clean the kitchen, too!

• Give mom a day off! No dishes, no cooking, no laundry, no cleaning. And this of course, means you do all the things mom usually does - not that she has to do double the next day…! Maybe plan an outing for the day, if you think mom would like to leave home (some of us don’t).

• You knew this one was coming…. Make sure MOM is in the pictures, too!!!!! Both in everyday photos, and also in family portraits. I have a Mini Session coming up this May (maybe early June), how about a Gift Certificate to it?

• If you already have a photo mom loves, go ahead and print and frame it (I can help!). Or make a photo book from a session (or for future: have ME make that book for you). This is such a winner in my mind. I treasure all the photos of my family, and especially our Day In The Life photos that showcase our everyday ordinary days. This is what I want to remember.

What did you think, was that helpful? Please add your suggestions to the comments - especially any local ones. Thank you!

TIP #2: ask mom! Maybe she has a wish list. You won’t know unless you ask!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and Grandmas!


PS. TIP #3: Moms, some of us have had to help our family a bit. I know I have. You know your family! Here’s your permission to get something you’ll love for Mother’s Day! You can even make sure it’s wrapped pretty for Sunday :-)

TIP #4: When Mother’s Day comes, that means Father’s Day will follow soon after….! Book that Mini Session for Mother’s Day, then order a framed print for Father’s Day from the Session - What a WIN-WIN!!!!

C Family's Beach Mini Session at the Disney Resort

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the wonderful C family at the Disney Resort in Vero Beach. Due to an unforeseen conflict, I couldn't personally shoot the session as originally planned. However, my talented colleague Ashley stepped in while I took on the editing duties.

The session went off without a hitch thanks to the incredible understanding and flexibility of the C family. The collaboration was seamless, and the C family was thrilled with both Ashley's photography skills and the final edited photos.

It's always a joy to work with children who are genuinely excited about a photoshoot. On an average day, Mom told me that the C kiddos are not big fans of having their pictures taken. Typically, they lose interest after a few poses.

However, this session was different. The kids themselves had requested professional beach photos, so they were super excited coming into this photo session. Their eagerness translated into gorgeous moments!

This year marks significant milestones for the C family's daughters, turning 10 and 13. Capturing these ages through professional photography was a special way to celebrate their growth and create lasting memories.

On another note, I absolutely loved their matching Disney Vacation T-Shirts! The ladies had matching Minnie Mouse ones, and Dad opted for Mickey! These are going to be awesome mementos.

As always, the Disney Resort in Vero Beach was a great backdrop for the session. The beach's natural beauty and the resort's charm offered endless opportunities for capturing picturesque moments.

From playful shots in the sand to serene portraits by the water, every image reflected the joy and connection within the C family.

While I couldn’t be there in person, editing the photos from this session was such a wonderful experience. Seeing the genuine smiles, the candid interactions, and the beautiful setting come together in the final images was incredibly rewarding.

Thanks so much for trusting me to capture the precious moments of your Disney Resort Vacation! I hope that these photos serve as a permanent reminder of togetherness and love.

M Family Baby Animal Session at Hunny's Funny Farm

Nestled in the heart of serene countryside, Hunny’s Funny Farm provided the perfect backdrop for a magical Baby Animal Mini Session with Jessica, her daughters Adaline and Athena, and their entourage of helpers—Grandma Peggy and Aunt Kyleigh.

For Jessica, this session was not just about capturing beautiful moments but about creating memories with her girls, so I’m glad she was able to jump in a few photos, too!

From the moment they arrived, it was evident that this would be a day filled with wonder and excitement. Adaline and Athena, with their own unique personalities, approached the baby animals with a mix of curiosity and awe.

Adaline, ever the explorer, eagerly reached out to pet the soft fur of a bunny, her eyes dancing with delight. Meanwhile, Athena, with her thoughtful demeanor, observed the animals with a quiet intensity.

I was so happy to find out how Adaline and Athena had been looking forward to this day for weeks. Baby animals are a great way to get kids excited about family photos, so this was a perfect opportunity.

Grandma Peggy and Aunt Kyleigh were supportive. They hovered nearby, offering gentle guidance and occasional laughter as Adaline and Athena played with the animals.

For me, capturing these intimate family moments is a privilege beyond words. These are the moments that define childhood, and it’s thrilling to know that their family will cherish these photos for years to come.

Hunny’s Funny Farm proved to be the perfect sanctuary for our photo session. The sun-dappled fields and rustic barns provided a picturesque setting, while the gentle bleats and chirps of the baby animals helped to set the scene.

As the session drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the beauty of this experience. To Jessica, Adaline, and Athena—thank you for allowing me to capture these precious moments!

Your love for each other and your genuine appreciation for the wonders of nature made this session truly unforgettable. Here’s to many more adventures and cherished memories!

T Family Baby Animal Mini Sessions at Hunny's Funny Animal Farm

Recently, I had the pleasure of reuniting with the T family for another unforgettable photo session. The T family are cherished repeat clients of mine, and they returned with beaming smiles, ready to document yet another chapter in their lives.

This time, our focus was on capturing the essence of childhood and celebrating the milestones of their beloved daughters, Isla and Charlotte.

My mini sessions happened at Hunny’s Funny Animal Farm this year, and it was so perfect! Sheila, the gracious owner, welcomed us with open arms and made sure that we had everything we needed for an unforgettable round of mini photo sessions.

For Isla and Charlotte, the prospect of interacting with baby animals was nothing short of exhilarating, and you could see their joy from the moment they arrived.

Isla and Charlotte took to the baby animals with boundless enthusiasm. With a little gentle guidance, they soon approached each furry and feathered friend with care and respect.

From fluffy bunnies to playful ducklings, every encounter was a moment of wonder! I’m so glad that I got to capture it all through my lens.

As a photographer, witnessing these candid moments unfold is a privilege beyond measure. The joy on Isla’s face as she gently cradled a bunny was priceless, and so was the sparkle in Charlotte’s eyes as she giggled with the chickens!

For the T family, this session was not merely about creating stunning photographs (though we did, indeed, capture some truly magical shots). It was about freezing these precious moments in time.

Overall, this Baby Animal Mini Session was a resounding success. It was amazing to create yet another beautiful chapter in the ongoing story of this incredible family.

To the T family: thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey once again. Here’s to many more adventures and milestones together!

Dozer Family Baby Animal Mini Session at Hunny's Funny Farm in Vero Beach

Photo sessions are always a special treat, especially when they are gifted! Chelsey, Cole, and their adorable 14-month-old son, Logan, joined me at Hunny's Funny Farm for a Baby Animal Mini Session — one that was gifted to them by Logan’s grandmother!

This family was absolutely fantastic from the start. They arrived on time and dressed Logan in the cutest farm-inspired outfit, perfectly matching the charming setting of Hunny's Funny Farm. It was clear that a lot of thought and care went into preparing for this session on their end.

While sessions with young children can sometimes be unpredictable, Chelsey and Cole handled it with grace and patience. Logan, being just 14 months old, was understandably a bit overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds of the farm.

However, the calm and supportive presence of his parents made all the difference. Despite Logan not feeling entirely comfortable, we managed to capture some incredibly cute photos.

Sometimes, sessions don’t go exactly as planned, but that’s part of the charm of working with children. The unpredictability can lead to spontaneous and heartfelt moments that are truly special.

Logan’s session was a perfect example of this. His expressions and interactions, even when he was a bit unsure, were absolutely precious.

In the end, I’m thrilled with how the photos turned out. It was amazing to have been a part of bringing this thoughtful gift to life. Chelsey, Cole, and Logan now have a beautiful collection of memories to cherish and share with family and friends.

Thank you, Chelsey and Cole, for trusting me with this special session. And a heartfelt thank you to Logan’s grandmother for her thoughtful gift!

For those interested in creating similar cherished memories, please let me know! I look forward to capturing more beautiful moments with you and your loved ones!