Anyone out there have kids who make it a challenge when taking pictures?  Am I alone in this?  You know the daunting task of taking a young child to have digital photos shot professionally at one of those photo studios that specialize in such things?

Each year, I bring my son to have digital photos taken to ensure that I have great photos of him at every age.  Sometimes I also brave the trip to a photo studio to take digital photos for the photo Christmas cards I send out at the end of the year.  If I were any … Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas photo cards have been out there for a fairly long time now.  Parents everywhere have been enthusiastically sending out bright and shiny images of their beloved progeny on their annual Christmas photo cards.  I have fond memories (now that it’s long over) of trying to keep two small children and one shaggy dog to stay still and all look at the camera at the same time.

There was my four-year-old son sitting in a child-size red rocking chair in front of the fireplace; such a warm holiday photo card, right?  He had one hand valiantly holding the back … Read the rest of this entry »

I love to go on long hikes in the mountains, and with the onset of the temperate fall climate, it’s the perfect time to get lost in nature’s glory.

I live in the lovely state of New Jersey, and contrary to popular belief, it is not the arm pit of America. New Jersey is home to many beautiful landscapes, including the Ramapo Mountains, which is where I usually go hiking. There are numerous trails that wind along and in between the wooded hillsides, and Mother Nature always has a surprise hidden around every bend, which is why I … Read the rest of this entry »

Birthday photos might be the one type of picture we have the most of.  On every birthday we seem to take the same poses: big birthday grin over decorated cake, blowing out the candles on said cake, and face smeared with frosting from said cake.  So it makes sense that birthday photos would be a good resource for fashioning photo greeting cards.

Making photo greeting cards from birthday photos could be a practical way to share a favorite and memorable birthday photo.  You probably see greeting cards of cute kids in greeting card stores, costing a big chunk per card, … Read the rest of this entry »

I visited a friend in the hospital last night and her seven-year-old son was holding his newborn baby brother for the first time.  Another visitor was taking pictures and asked Jack to look up and smile.  I am sure the family photo will be beautiful but what was lost was the look of wonder on Jack’s face as he gazed down on his new best friend.

Photography is wonderful in that it can capture precious moments, especially when photographing people.  The way to take an artistic photo is to focus on the moment in time.  By not disturbing the … Read the rest of this entry »

I love receiving photo cards of my friends and family. Really, I do. I love that more and more people are sending photo cards as the way they say Happy Holidays or as invitations and other imaginative uses. Really, I do. It’s great to see photo Christmas cards of the little ones and how they grow so much from year to year. Often times, with friends and family that you aren’t as close with, it’s the one chance you have to actually see them. Photo cards of babies are especially cute to see when they are first … Read the rest of this entry »

So here’s my problem: if taking pictures is getting easier and easier, how come getting the right shot for my photo Christmas cards is such a trial and tribulation? If you’re saying, “Don’t I know it,” then you are probably also aware of how the challenges when taking pictures convolute over the passage of time. The scheduling alone could make you give up on taking photos. Who is available? When? Who first needs a haircut he doesn’t want and who just got a haircut she hates? If one of your teens begs, “Wait ‘til I lose … Read the rest of this entry »

Digital cameras are a wonderful thing. Picture the stack of Christmas photo cards you receive each year. Ever stop to wonder how long it took to get the shot that wound up on your best friend’s photo card? The kids are perfectly posed, looking at the camera, smiling brightly. The only question is whether it took 50 or 100 tries. It’s an open secret…photographing people presents its challenges!

When I was a kid, there were no digital cameras. My family didn’t even have a 35mm camera; It was Polaroid all the way. I can still remember the flash … Read the rest of this entry »

Some pictures used for photo cards are traditional and elegant while other photos display fun and creativity.  I’ve received many photo Christmas cards over the years but I just received a photo card from my great niece that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

It is a photo card of her two boys, baby girl, and three dogs.  I wish the whole world could see these rascals as they are portrayed!  The oldest boy, Jim, is shaking the paw of Sunny the retriever, and holding a sign saying WE.  The middle boy, Drew, is hugging Sunny’ … Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever walked into a convenience store and look at one of those photo Christmas cards? You know…the cards where you can place one of your family photos into a slot?  They always seem to have the same happy family posing for the picture.  Traditionally you send these cards with a studio portrait of a family member or your entire family.  Personally, I like to put a little modern spin on the classic idea.

Here are some Christmas photo cards tips to help you get a little more creative this season:

Ditch the Studio – Those posed shots do … Read the rest of this entry »