This is a sponsored post. I was provided with compensation in exchange for my (always honest and forthright) review of the Shutterfly product. In no way did the compensation color my opinion.
I'm a big fan of the holiday card. For us, it's a Christmas Card, and I always take pictures of my kids for the cards. (I, uh,used to send a holiday letter until I realized that the vast majority of people don't like them/think that they are obnoxious/think they are braggy/toss them in the fire - so I went to a picture.) It's become a tradition that I try to improve each year, taking upwards of 200 shots before I find one I like.
Many times, the photo is a non traditional one. Once, I had my six kids lay on the ground in a circle and look up at me - and I looked down and took the photo.
A photo of a photo is sometimes the only choice you have
Once, I set everyone up and just took random pictures - and this was the winner that year:
We specialize in the non-traditional 'round these parts
Last year, I vascilated between two ideas. This photo was my top candidate:
But we ultimately went with a photo montage:
The point is, I love to take pictures of my kids. I'm not a photographer, but I can (sometimes) capture the visions in my head. Sometimes.
Shutterfly helps you take those images in your head and put them into a card you'd be proud to send to your friends and family. I'm not really one for the braggy letters, but I do like to see how your kids have grown and my kids love to look at the pictures long after the holidays have passed. We usually hang a garland around a doorway and use pushpins to attach the cards, in order to get a maximum amount of viewing time.
With Shutterfly, you can choose from a multitude of Christmas cards - I haven't yet picked my choice, but I'm leaning towards the Merry Montage (unless I take one picture that is just so, so good that I decide to choose Coastal Wishes instead).There are holiday offerings if that's more your taste - each one more colorful and fun than the next.
Do you have grandparents for whom you just can't figure out a good gift? I've had great success with giving a photo book - it's a fantastic gift that won't clutter their house with yet more stuff, and allows them to have an opportunity to brag about their kids to their friends with proof of the wonder of your children.
Want a chance to show off your cute kids and mad photography skills? I'm giving away a code for 25 free cards to 3 lucky readers. All you need to do is leave me a comment telling me your favorite holiday photo location - and I'll pick three of you at random to receive a set of cards.
Imagine that. You could be ALL DONE! with your Holiday cards before Thanksgiving.
Rules:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- This contest will run from 10/30/2011 to 11/4/2011 at 11:59 p.m.
- All valid entries will be compiled and 3 winners will be chosen using Random.org
- The 3 winners will have 24 hours to return my email, otherwise a new winner will be chosen
my favorite holiday picture location is anything out of the ordinary -- one card i got one year was them in orlando...you don't expect to see epcot or the castle at disney world in the background of a christmas photo!
Posted by: becky dunnell | October 30, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Any real location – nothing's worse than those fake logs and forest backdrop!
Posted by: karin tracy | October 30, 2011 at 11:38 AM
My favorite location for a photo is our home. And this year having everyone home on Christmas will be the best!
Posted by: Mary | October 30, 2011 at 01:03 PM
I think our favorite holiday photo location would have to be ... anywhere outside. Something about the crisp cold air gets everyone in fun funky moods and 99% of the time everyone has perfect smiles so we can get it over with LOL Plus it is always extra fun if there is snow or it starts to rain.
Posted by: Carlita Gonzalez | October 30, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Often my pics are so close-up that the location doesn't matter; I often try to zoom in on the kids smiling faces as they're in the middle of a wrestling match or tickle-fight. But when I do zoom in, pics are in our backyard, my favorite place.
Posted by: Rox | October 30, 2011 at 01:47 PM
My favorite photo location is outside on a clear and sunny day, early afternoon when its nice and bright.. Usually from the backyard with the flowers, unless the snow is around and then you have frozen flowers that look pretty cool also.. Last year we waited till the very last minute and holiday photos were taken in the house in front of a white curtain and after about 75 shots or more, I did find the perfect one or two!!! But outside is best.
Posted by: Rachel | October 30, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Unexpected and unplanned are my favorite locations. I have taken some wonderful random shots that become cards and/or photo gifts. Not a fan of the posed studio portraits. Ick....
Posted by: addy | October 30, 2011 at 04:29 PM
We enjoy taking a picture with Santa Claus. Last year, at 4 years old, was Ben's first year not to cry in the picture.
Posted by: Heidi | October 30, 2011 at 07:08 PM
I like to try to take the photo on vacation, if possible.
Posted by: Tonya | October 30, 2011 at 10:09 PM
The best location I have found for my 3 year old is when she is outside just being a kid. I am a fan of the in the moment pictures, her curls blowing in the wind and her big unforced smile going from ear to ear!
Posted by: Meredith Byrd | October 31, 2011 at 12:23 PM
In front of the tree or outside with gorgeous leaves . . .
Posted by: Julie | October 31, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Totally need to get on the photo thing...
Posted by: Headless Mom | November 01, 2011 at 12:04 PM
This year it was near the train yard in my town, we just did the photos last night and I am pretty pleased with them. I only ever use the tripod when I take our photos, but it has more than paid for itself over the years.
Love the photos!
Posted by: Domestic Extraordinaire | November 03, 2011 at 11:43 AM
We usually take our holiday photo over the summer. It ends up being in the Outer
Banks. We're too busy as the holidays near to take one then.
Posted by: Kristie | November 03, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Nothing beats having holiday photos with your family! Well, we don't need to be photographers to get awesome shots, right? Treasure those smiles with your family! Even the poorest person in the world deserves to wear a perfect smile!
Posted by: Jesse Hake | November 08, 2011 at 09:58 AM