I’m super excited to be teaming up with Shutterfly to talk about some of my favorite holiday card tips and tricks. We have family photos for our holiday cards on Saturday, so this is perfect timing. Plus, I get to give away some Shutterfly goodies to my readers (scroll down to the bottom for more info)! Shutterfly is also hosting a CardWorthy Photo Contest on facebook from November 12-December 9, where you can upload your 2012 holiday cards for a chance to win lots of great prizes (1st prize is $500 in Shutterfly credit!). Check it out!
Here are my top 5 holiday card tips and tricks:
1. Stick with 2-3 colors. To get a coordinating, but not matchy-matchy look, concentrate on dressing your family in 2-3 coordinating colors. Each person doesn’t have to wear all 3 colors, just 1 color in your combination will do. For example, we’re doing gray, aqua and red this year. My husband will be in a gray sweater, Logan will be in a gray sweater with a red tie and I’ll be in a red sweater with an aqua scarf.
These were our holiday photos from 2 years ago (look how tiny Logan was!!). We did a mustard, brown and aqua theme.
photo credit: kathy scoffield
2. Pick a fun accessory. Choose something to pop out in your photos. Whether it is a fun chunky scarf or hat, it’ll make your photos more interesting. You could also add in a fun prop, such as a “Christmas” sign or wooden JOY letters. Our fun accessory last year was our photographer’s amazing mustard couch, matched to Logan’s mustard bow tie (I have a thing for mustard if you couldn’t tell).
photo credit: kathy scoffield
3. Location, location, location. Last year, we dragged a sofa out to the middle of the desert to take our photos. Get creative and explore your city! Old buildings make for fabulous backdrops or maybe your own home would make for a great holiday card photo.
photo credit: kathy scoffield
For Logan’s first birthday family photos, we went to an old ranch and there were tons of photography options for us. When we received the photos, it looked like we had gone to 3 different places.
photo credit: green apple images
4. Bribe them. If your child won’t sit still for the camera, I’m all about bribery to get the perfect holiday card shot. You better believe that I will be packing mini marshmallows and yogurt raisins (a treat in our house) for our shoot on Saturday (for both my husband and my toddler lol)! If they are too young to be bribed, you could let them play with a new toy or make sure the photographer has a bunch of squeaky toys to get their attention. Balloons also make for great bribery and they are fun photo props too!
photo credit: green apple images
5. Use holiday cards as your inspiration. I’ve been known to match our outfits to a fabulous holiday card that I love. Browse Shutterfly’s holiday cards for inspiration on what to wear or even what type of backdrop you want. This birch tree holiday card would be perfect for my aqua and red theme this year…now does anyone know where I can find birch trees in Arizona? Check out the new Shutterfly Family Photo Site for more holiday card tips and tricks.
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Fine Print: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and Shutterfly partnered in support of this campaign. Shutterfly compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Awesome giveaway! Love Shutterfly!
Oops, posted too quick. For our holiday cards, we just do a picture of our daughter. She sits in front of the tree and we distract her with holiday things, so they look good if they are in the picture. Rudolph stuffed toy, ornaments, etc
I lay all of our clothing options out on the floor beforehand and see which works better. It looks a mess, but it works!
Jennifer H. recently posted..Thankful for my sister
I usually take a casual photo of the whole family, pets included and make my own cards…maybe not as pretty as Shutterfly…but not bad!
Ellen Price recently posted..Wool Holiday Trees
I make sure to evaluate any situation we are in over the year as potential holiday card pic opportunities! Never know when u can grab it!
I have no good tips or tricks, but thanks for yours! Maybe our cards will turn out much better this year!
I think you’ve listed off all the tips I know of but I have to agree strongly with the first tip. Last year was the first time that we did that and made a world of difference! And make sure to have a wonderful photographer!!!
bring the baby’s fav toys and stickers to bribe the toddler
Love these ideas thanks so much!!
Sarah G recently posted..Best Beef Stew in the History of Stew….also the best crusty bread in the history of bread
Our Christmas photo will have the 4 children and I just let them have fun – I want to see their personality!!
I definitely like the cards and pics that are not so rigid. I let my kids have fun and take pics of that.
The only tip that I have is don’t go into a photo shoot with the idea that everyone is going to be smiling or even looking at the camera.
I love the pics of my kids laughing together and just being themselves. Love coordinating their colors browns, yellows, and sometimes dark plum, etc. Sometimes I just use a fun random shot and no professional pics.
I try to have the kids wear clothes that are coordinated but not too matchy.
Carolyn @ Pleasantest Thing recently posted..Tomie dePaola books
Thanks for your tips. My tip is to do it early….. and to have fun!!!
Angela recently posted..Using Grommet Math to Add Grommets to your Cutains!
Have pictures taken in a fun environment. The kids will be more at ease and easier to catch that smile.
Our Christmas card picks are usually chosen from several impromptu photo sessions… last year’s photo was taken on a nature hike!
Terri recently posted..Kid’s Co-op
HA! I love your last tip. Bribery is sometimes a must!
Leslie @Cute and Peculiar recently posted..Exploring the five sense – SIGHT
My kids are 3yo and 18 mos so it’s hard to get a “good” pic of both of them together. Usually I’m a sucker for the obviously posed/ pinterest-esque pictures of kiddos but this year I think it’s going to end up being more of a let them play, not try to pose them and see what kind of cute shots I can get.
Favorite tip is to make sure kids are feed and had a nap and bring snacks to bribe them.
Tip – Use 2-3 different colors in your theme.
This is so adorable! Love it!
I am a big fan of Shutterfly, and plan to take our holiday card photos this weekend. This was perfectly timely for me! *crosses fingers for the win*
Oh – And as far as tips, I love to set my camera so the background is really blurry. This way I can take shot after shot of my kids, and never worry about some toy or whatever behind them taking away the focus.
Kim at Let Me Start By Saying recently posted..Check Your Pockets, Mom. It’s In There.
I love to use the manual setting on my DSLR and slow down the shutter speed … allowing me to take “twinkle light” pictures with my son and Christmas lights or a Christmas tree.
LolaDom recently posted..(giveaway) shutterfly holiday card tips & win $100 credit
Beautiful pictures. Great giveaway! Lovely family!
Bethany @ Bad Parenting Moments recently posted..There’s some SWAG in Santa’s bag!
I use my location to inspire me. I did my holiday photos this year in front of an old church with weathered brick. I had my kids wear brown and red to complement the location!
I wish I had some tips. I am stressing about our photos next week as I don’t think the kids have coordinating outfits.
Charity recently posted..Still Not Much to Say
pick a non traditional picture.
My favorite tip/trick for holiday cards is to make sure the photo turns out good! Make sure everyone is in a good mood, fed, etc before taking pictures.
Shutterfly is great! I made some cards through them last year. My favorite thing to do to a holiday card is have a couple pics that will make people laugh inside–last year I had a shot of my daughter with the entire donut on a string donut in her mouth so she looked like a fish on a line.
Lori Z. recently posted..Project time!
This is a trick that is very specific to our family. My older son has cerebal palsy and it very dfficult to get a good picture of him in a sitting position. Every year, I take a picture of my 2 boys lying under next to the Christmas tree, heads touching. It looks so much better.
My favorite holiday card trick I learned the hard way. My husband and I both agree: card with red and “Christmas” on it. The rest does not matter to him as long as I don’t wake him up at 1 am asking him if I should pick this card or that card. Not that I have done that or anything…
Wendy recently posted..A Coke and a Smile | Wordless Wednesday
We usually try to get a family photo taken at Thanksgiving when there is someone else around to be able to take a few shots of us….we pick the best one and make our cards.
Last year we used all “formal” shots from a photo shoot with a friend. This year, we’re going more candid. Basically, by Dec. 1, I use what photos I have available so I don’t stress about getting it done!
First year doing a holiday card, I’m just glad we got our pictures taken before December!
My best tip is to take tons of pictures! It increases your odds of getting one good one! 🙂
over the years, i’ve learned to just roll with whatever comes!
Don’t dismiss the spontaneous, silly, funny shots–sometimes they convey the spirit of your family better than the more posed ones.