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Article Courtesy Scrapjazz.com: by Vistaprint
Is it time to start thinking about the Christmas card family portrait already? Christmas in September isn’t the easiest thing to consider, but the summer is always a good reminder that winter will be here soon. It’s never too early to prepare for the coming snowy season. Christmas photo cards are a great way to share your family happiness with everyone on your mailing list.
The photo Christmas card ranks high above the average pack of holiday cards available for purchase at the drugstore. Often these little cards come across as an afterthought containing little effort and no creativity, unless, of course, you count selecting the box of cards in your price range as creativity. Everyone appreciates the effort of the photo Christmas card. It turns a simple holiday greeting into a treasured keepsake. Families that get into the habit of creating their photo cards annually provide friends and family members with an update, like an annual Christmas letter but with images.
When it comes to selecting the ideal image for your holiday photo card, preparation and choice are key. If you take enough family photographs in advance of designing your cards you will have plenty of options for photo selection. Snap a family image at every event and get-together and make sure everyone (including mom and dad) are included.
If the traditional winter scene is more your style, try creating Christmas in July to get that perfect photograph. Dress the family in their Santa hats and put on sparkly outfits and start snapping. Try standing in front of the fireplace or outside your front door as a gesture of welcome. Retrieve a few of the Christmas decorations from the attic for extra atmosphere.
Take your time choosing the ideal photograph for your Christmas photo card. Look at every family member’s facial expression, body language and clothing composition to find the most unified image. The one where dad has his eyes half closed or the family dog has just a paw in the photograph may not be your best option. Choose the photograph that brings out the best in all of the family members. This will allow card recipients to focus on the heartwarming message of your image rather than being distracted by the coffee stain on mom’s sleeve.
If a big family portrait isn’t an option for you, it doesn’t mean there are no alternate photograph choices out there. Family pets in Santa hats can make for an adorable light-hearted holiday greeting, although capturing that perfect image may take a little longer (try using a bag of treats). The self-portrait is a nice option for the single guy or gal out there who wants to send an updated image to all of his or her friends. If you and your pets are camera shy, a scene from your hometown, the landscape from your living room window or an image of last year’s snowman are all viable and creative photograph options.
The holidays are a time of comfort and joy but also a time of stress for family organizers. Reduce the size of that “to do” list with some pre-season preparation. Christmas cards with custom printing and photographs can be created and purchased any time during the year. Leaving it to the last minute may result in a rushed effort that you are not satisfied with. Take your time to do the job right. Create and select your family portrait photograph for your Christmas cards now so you don’t have to worry about it later.
Now grab the digital camera and get started.
