Getting the perfect family selfie

4

holiday_cards

Once Halloween is over, we fast forward to the holidays which for me means a lengthy to-do list that includes ordering holiday cards. I love this time of year because when I go to my mailbox, I find real mail! Facebook and Instagram are great for keeping up with friends but it doesnt replace the wonderful tradition of cards. I look forward to everyones family photos and recaps of their year. The part that causes me anxiety though every year is putting together my own familys card and finding the perfect picture.

GETTING THE PERFECT FAMILY SELFIE

Do I use a professional photographer or candid shots? I dont know about you but I find that most families have one parent that becomes the photographer and that parent is rarely ever found in any of the family photos. In my family, I take all the pictures. I love taking pictures, however I am a little disappointed each year when I look through our online albums trying to find a picture for our card only to find that my family does not appear to have a mom. We have hundreds of pictures from family vacations, events, sports and I am not in any of them.

This is why we seem to always be scrambling in November to hire a professional photographer. I drag my husband and kids to the photo shoot and always question whether it is worth the hassle and the expense until I get my pictures back. I love the fact that we at least have a photo history of our whole family each year (mom included) that we can reflect back on. Remember to ask your photographer whether you will be able to use the image for a holiday card since some will charge extra for this.

ORDERING CARDS

There are so many cards to choose from and it is so easy and affordable to do online. Decide where you want to have your cards made (Shutterfly, Costco, TinyPrints). Decide on a message for your card and whether you want to include a letter. Buy stamps early so you are not waiting in lines. Make a list of everyone you want to send cards to and update your addresses (and dont take people off the list just because they didnt send you one last year remember the holidays are about giving). Plan ahead so you have time to put together the perfect card.

Plan ahead so you have time to put together the perfect card.

November 4, 2015

Leave a comment

4 comments

  1. gabrielasays: November 5, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Savannah Johns-Pedrocchi is the best family photographer!

  2. Normasays: November 5, 2015 at 11:50 am

    Deluxe Photo and Video (Edward, 805-302-4449) is a great photographer. His creativity is amazing and he is wonderful w/kids! Plus he always has Holiday specials for family portraits.

  3. Nancysays: November 5, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    We use Vita Bella Photography (http://www.vita-bellaphotography.com/family.php) for our family pics. She emails her clients in September to get ready for Christmas cards (brilliant!)

    I order my stamps online (https://store.usps.com/store/) no line at the post office. They have all the stamps I want. Yes, it costs $1.85 in shipping, but think of what you can do with all the extra time!

RELATED CHATS

Getting the perfect family selfieHoliday Shopping TipsGetting the perfect family selfieShare Halloween tips & favorite places to trick or treatGetting the perfect family selfieHalloween & Harvest Activities in SB & Santa Ynezholiday_cards

Once Halloween is over, we fast forward to the holidays which for me means a lengthy to-do list that includes ordering holiday cards. I love this time of year because when I go to my mailbox, I find real mail! Facebook and Instagram are great for keeping up with friends but it doesnt replace the wonderful tradition of cards. I look forward to everyones family photos and recaps of their year. The part that causes me anxiety though every year is putting together my own familys card and finding the perfect picture.

GETTING THE PERFECT FAMILY SELFIE

Do I use a professional photographer or candid shots? I dont know about you but I find that most families have one parent that becomes the photographer and that parent is rarely ever found in any of the family photos. In my family, I take all the pictures. I love taking pictures, however I am a little disappointed each year when I look through our online albums trying to find a picture for our card only to find that my family does not appear to have a mom. We have hundreds of pictures from family vacations, events, sports and I am not in any of them.

This is why we seem to always be scrambling in November to hire a professional photographer. I drag my husband and kids to the photo shoot and always question whether it is worth the hassle and the expense until I get my pictures back. I love the fact that we at least have a photo history of our whole family each year (mom included) that we can reflect back on. Remember to ask your photographer whether you will be able to use the image for a holiday card since some will charge extra for this.

ORDERING CARDS

There are so many cards to choose from and it is so easy and affordable to do online. Decide where you want to have your cards made (Shutterfly, Costco, TinyPrints). Decide on a message for your card and whether you want to include a letter. Buy stamps early so you are not waiting in lines. Make a list of everyone you want to send cards to and update your addresses (and dont take people off the list just because they didnt send you one last year remember the holidays are about giving). Plan ahead so you have time to put together the perfect card.

Plan ahead so you have time to put together the perfect card.

Category: Holiday highlights

SUBSCRIBE – WEEKLY SCENE

Weekly SceneBusiness Update

First Last

Emai

ZIP

December 2023
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
November 27, 2023 November 28, 2023 November 29, 2023 November 30, 2023 December 1, 2023 December 2, 2023 December 3, 2023
December 4, 2023 December 5, 2023 December 6, 2023 December 7, 2023 December 8, 2023 December 9, 2023 December 10, 2023
December 11, 2023 December 12, 2023 December 13, 2023 December 14, 2023 December 15, 2023 December 16, 2023 December 17, 2023
December 18, 2023 December 19, 2023 December 20, 2023 December 21, 2023 December 22, 2023 December 23, 2023 December 24, 2023
December 25, 2023 December 26, 2023 December 27, 2023 December 28, 2023 December 29, 2023 December 30, 2023 December 31, 2023