Printswell’s Black Friday sale starts Thursday! Enjoy 20% off holiday photo cards with coupon code BLKFR2011 ~ good from Thursday, November 24th through Saturday, November 26th.
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By Amie Otto, Photographer Extraordinaire
As the temperature drops, our thoughts inevitably turn to the holidays. The decorations, the family dinners and then the stress creeps in… it’s time for another holiday photo for your card! Relax, it’s not as hard as it may seem. Gather the family, find a photographer and remember these elements that make a great family photo.
Togetherness
Family photos should have a sense of connection. Typically, this is through touching: holding hands, hugging, leaning on one another. But sometimes it can be as simple as a look between the parents.
A Pleasing Background
When it comes to background, keep it simple! Places with lots going on are distracting not only to the photo subjects, but also to the viewer. You want something that blends in nicely, that compliments the subjects rather than distracting from them.
Relax
Everyone does not have to have the exact same perfect smile, have their hair just perfect or be sitting up perfectly straight. Sometimes the best photos are the unscripted ones, the unexpected moments between kids, a laugh the whole family shares. These shots show a slice of personality and are usually favorites.
So, relax, it’s not that scary! Holiday photos can be fun and a great part of your family legacy.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO: Include the whole family in the photo. Your family and friends want to see you, too, not just your kids and pets.
DO: Pick a time of day when your kids are most happy and relaxed. Just before nap or bedtime is never a good idea.
DO: If you are using a professional photographer, let them direct you. DON’T yell, threaten or try to get your kids to do what you think they should be doing for the photo. That’s what you hired the pro for! Trust that they will get what they need.
DO: Know when to say when. When kids are done, they are done. DON’T try to get “just one more shot” when they are clearly finished. You most likely will not get the shot and it will just cause more irritation for your child.
DO: If you are including a family pet, bring a pet wrangler. This is someone to have the treats, make the sounds your animal responds to and make sure the pet is contained properly.
DON’T: Make every family member wear the exact same outfit. If you routinely go out all dressed identically, then great, go for it, but if not, it will look kind of odd in a photo! It is better to coordinate, rather than match exactly.
DON’T: Wait till the last minute to make an appointment if you are planning to use a professional photographer. The fall is one of the busiest seasons, and the best studios book up weeks or months in advance.
{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Crane & Co. | Photos © Amie Otto Photography}
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What better way to brighten the holiday season than to send your love on a beautifully printed holiday card? Whether you wish to send your favorite family photo or a heartfelt sentiment, printed communiqués make a great way to spread the joy of the holidays. Envelopments has created a myriad of designs to inspire and help you create an unforgettable holiday card!
Whether your taste is bold and graphic, or traditional and subdued, it’s the perfect way to send warm wishes, party invitations and your favorite family photos.
Pictures with St. Nick are always a great way to spread holiday cheer. Use the outtakes from a photo shoot to play with the “Naughty” and “Nice” theme.
Progressive parties are a fun way to celebrate the holiday season by traveling to neighbors’ homes and sampling different dishes. This invitation uses a Pocket Fold to fit a sign-up sheet and map in the pocket. Favor containers decorated with a label and ribbon send your guests home with an extra treat.
Large typography and a modern take on a menorah are printed on this beautiful Hanukkah card.
Ring in the New Year with friends, family, and Envelopments paper cut into confetti! This invitation uses a Portable Pocket which shows only the champagne bottle graphic, and upon pulling the card out of the pocket, the party information is revealed. Envelopments original artwork of a champagne bottle and playful typography are a fun way to expand on the countdown theme. Use a decorated envelope to enclose confetti as a party favor for guests.
Whatever the holiday you celebrate this time of year, our selection of holiday cards aim to brighten your season with thoughtful sentiments and innovative designs. So get creative this year: turn a Christmas card into an ornament, show off your family portraits, give an excuse to throw confetti into the air, but most importantly create a custom holiday card that truly reflects you and your loved ones.
You can see more of this fabulous line of Envelopments card stocks, pocket folds, and envelopes and get help creating your custom holiday greeting cards, photo cards, and holiday invitations by visiting Salutations in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, North Carolina.
{© 2011 Blog Boutique | Envelopments | Photos © Envelopments}
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We are all getting into the holiday spirit at Salutations as we busily prepare for our annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, October 29th from 4 pm to 7 pm. We are so excited this year to introduce a Season of Giving component to the Holiday Open House!
Here’s what we are giving you:
1. A 20% discount off all holiday-related purchases that evening ~ in-stock and custom-ordered holiday greeting cards, holiday photo cards, holiday invitations, holiday stationery, holiday wrapping paper & accessories, and holiday decor.
2. A fabulous SWAG bag to the first 25 customers in each store who attend, filled with lots of FREE merchandise, coupons, and gift certificates.
3. A discount of 20% off your regularly priced purchase when you bring in a donation {see below}.
4. A sidewalk sale with discounts of 40-75% off discontinued and clearance merchandise.
5. Of course, festive sips and treats, holiday music, and lots of friendly smiles and laughter!
Here’s what we are hoping you’ll give:
1. We will be collecting non-perishable food and non-food items for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh. For a little inspiration, please see the Faces of Hunger. Click here for a list of most needed items.
2. We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and other items for the Salvation Army‘s Angel Tree and Fill-a-Stocking programs. Click here for a list of gift ideas. As you can imagine, the Salvation Army Christmas Center is seeing record numbers of families register for assistance this year, so let’s take a minute to appreciate how much we have and share with others who are less fortunate.
We would really like to make this our largest and most generous Holiday Open House ever, so please spread the word to your friends who may be interested! See our Facebook page to share the post about this event. Come early to get your bag of goodies, bring a friend, and kick off the holiday season in style by ordering your holiday cards and checking a few holiday gifts off that “nice” list! Or, be a little “naughty” and grab a few deals for yourself!
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