As if the shopping, baking, wrapping and school party planning
weren’t enough, it’s time for the Christmas cards. And we do mean
THE Christmas cards. No ordinary card will do. We’re talking
personalized photo cards with just the right happy photo and just
the right endearing message.
As if the shopping, baking, wrapping and school party planning weren’t enough, it’s time for the Christmas cards. And we do mean THE Christmas cards. No ordinary card will do. We’re talking personalized photo cards with just the right happy photo and just the right endearing message.
Exhausted yet? Yeah, us too. Yet, according to a recent Shutterfly survey, 85 percent of folks who either send or receive holiday cards expect to send the same number or more cards than last year. That magic number? According to the folks at Tiny Prints, the average photo card customer orders 75 cards.
Before you get too overwhelmed, here’s a quick guide to creating holiday photo cards that wow.
Learn the trends
Here’s what’s hot:
– Photos x10: Cards used to feature only one photo, but new designs this year showcase as many as 12 images. Other designs include images inside a card or on the back. “In a big family it’s nice to highlight each kid,” says Lori Pretzer, of the Snapfish marketing team.
– Photo stories: People are using all those new multi-photo layouts to create photo stories – images and captions – to replace traditional holiday newsletters.
– Hot hues: The big color trends for this year are black and white, teal or turquoise, and brighter tones of red.
– Hip to be square (or round, or ornamental): Shapes are a big deal this year. Cards themselves are available in shapes other than rectangular. Photo frames on the card also are featuring new whimsical shapes.
– Happy, happy, joy, joy: The vibe for this year’s cards is joy! People are looking for celebratory messages, says Laura Ching, co-founder of Tiny Prints. Think messages like “Happy Everything!” or “Merry and Bright!”
– Fold, fold, fold: Forget flat cards or folded cards. This year’s designs feature tri-folds, accordion folds, mini-books, pop-ups and even cards that fold in to create their own envelopes.
– Personalization: People are exercising their creative muscles. Every-thing about cards this year is personalized: colors palettes, typography, messages and more.
Take the photos
Use the following tips for taking the perfect family photos this holiday season:
Basic planning
– Be creative. Family holiday photos are a way to express your family’s personality. Come up with a concept for your photo that demonstrates your family’s personal style and energy.
– Pick the right clothes. Whether you want everyone to wear matching clothes or not, the clothes should complement each other and be in the same styles and/or shades.
Choosing your backdrop
– The setting of your portrait is important. If you choose a busy background, it distracts the focus from your family, which should be the star of the photo.
– Gather up everyone and head outside with your camera. The best lighting for photos is natural light. If you decide to go outside, you may have to wait for a warm day.
Preparing for the photo shoot
– Know your camera. Read your instruction manual thoroughly because there may be inventive and creative tricks and settings that can enhance your family photo.
– Take test shots (without the family) of the location where you are going to shoot the photos. This gives you the time to determine the best lighting and angles so your shoot runs smoothly. Try different angles and think about how you will arrange the family artistically.
Organizing the family
– Stay positive. Taking a family portrait can be a challenge, so it is up to the photographer to keep everyone focused and happy. Try to schedule the session for a time when everyone will be in a good mood.
– Arrange your family in an appropriate pose. If you have a large family, place taller members in back and have shorter members kneel or sit in front of them.
Best photo possible
– Take at least three shots of the same pose; this gives you plenty to choose from. Someone blinking, looking away or not smiling is almost inevitable, so if you take multiple shots, you will have at least one acceptable photo.
– Invest in photo editing software that allows you to get creative.
Design the card
Here are some tips to help you on your creation odyssey:
– The photos set the tone for the card. You’d pick a different card for a photo of kids making funny faces than you would for a lovey-dovey shot of you and your beau staring into each other’s eyes. Pick your favorite – or favorites – and go from there.
– Think about tone. Do you want a traditional card or something funny? Are you looking to tell a story about your year or send a simple message?
– Narrow your search. Utilizing the search functions on your card company’s site can make the process a lot less overwhelming. Most sites will let you filter by things like number of photos, color, fold, theme and price.
– Pick your card and upload your photos. The mechanics of the upload is different for each company, but all offer some pretty easy-to-follow instructions.
– Customize your message. Share the sentiment that makes the most sense for you.
– Make it personal. Add a few extra touches that make your card truly yours – whether it’s a little photo of your cat on the back of the card or a little message about where you’ve been this year.
Know the options
Here are a few more things to know when ordering your cards:
– Some companies offer mailing options where they will mail the cards out for you. You just upload your address book.
– Many companies are now offering preprinted envelopes with return addresses on them and/or address labels that coordinate with your holiday card.
– Photo cards can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. Pay attention to price when browsing cards and look for special budget cards. Also be sure to search the Web for coupons. There are many offers for discounts, including free shipping, available.
– It’s (almost) never too late. Most companies can rush an order to you (at a charge) in just a couple of days. Snapfish also offers an option to pick up your cards at a local retail outlet, and can have them there in just one day.
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