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at about $20, and can feature a full-color or black and white photo.

Similarly, Portrait Weavers based in Lynn, N.C., has been in business since 1988 creating woven blankets, throws, pillows and wallhangings. Rather than transferring the image onto fabric, however, Portrait Weaver's products are actually woven on a loom using four different colors of thread, according to national sales manager Chris Seman.

"It's a great way to render art," Seman said of the blankets, which measure 54" x 70". "There are over eight miles of thread woven into the tapestry pattern that creates one blanket, so the colors are crisp.

"They're also 100% cotton," he continued, "so they are machine-washable and don't fade."

Portrait Weavers sells directly only to business owners and photographers who market and sell their own work, but the blankets are available through portrait and photography studios, as well as through some retail businesses, including the online store www.CustomCreationsunltd.com. They retail for approximately $150.

In the Bag
For the photog in search of a more utilitarian gift, a snappy new satchel in which to cart equipment is a safe bet. Billingham Bag of England offers a wide range of leather and canvas bags designed for avid photographers, travelers, or those who frequently find themselves battling the elements in search of the perfect shot.

These higher-end bags, which retail for approximately $75 to $600 depending on the size and model of the bag, are weatherproof, include shock-absorbing foams, and float (when empty). They also include AntiFray' material inside to prevent fibers from making their way into cameras and lenses, and SuperFlex' inserts to keep separate pieces of equipment from knocking together.

Billingham also offers bags made from a material called Nytex, for extremely heavy use, and recently upgraded its entire line to include StormBlock, a new waterproof material developed by the company, which replaces the use of a rubber layer. The new material makes the bags lighter, and more resistant to sunlight and ozone exposure. In addition to bags for SLRs, video equipment, and compact cameras, the company manufactures pouches for cell phones or other small electronics, and Simplies,' drawstring bags appropriate for extraneous lenses or flashes.

Booking It
Once those shots worthy of sharing are taken, many intermediate photographers are forever in search of the best way to display their photos. While everyday shutterbugs keep a stack of 4x6s

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