As a portrait photographer, I find that many of my clients plan their yearly portrait sessions around making a Holiday Card. Sending out Holiday Cards plays a large role in their family holiday celebrations. There are endless choices and possibilities so how do you decide what’s best for your family? I have a list of five suggestions that can simplify this process.
1. Choose the photograph: Do you want a photograph of your whole family or just the children? Many cards we design can use two or more photographs. You may want a photograph of the whole family on the front of the card and a photograph of just the children inside. Perhaps there are some active playful photographs of your children where two or three tell a story. Sometimes we create a bar of three small photographs for a mini story.
2. Paper Styles: At my studio, I offer a slightly textured watercolor card in white or ivory, a smooth fine quality white and ivory stock paper, a one-sided extra thick card stock in multiple colors and a coated linen texture. Choosing the color paper depends on the photograph you are using. Is it a warm toned photograph with lots of sunshine? Ivory can be a great choice! Maybe everyone was wearing an outfit that goes better on white stock. Each photograph and card has to be considered on its own terms.
3. Holiday Card Greetings: Greetings fall under different categories, religious, non-religious, or the unique use of a favorite quotation. Part of a song or poem that has specific meaning to the family or relates to the photograph can be used. Sometimes you can search the internet or browse through a book store or card shop for a greeting. If you would prefer, email me and I will send you a list I have complied over the years.
“The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
4. Names: The woman’s name first, man’s name, then surname. Children’s names should appear below their parents. The word “and” and “&” are interchangeable and a matter of personal preference.
Jane and Robert Smith
John, Kevin and Samantha
Or
The Smith Family
Jane, Robert, John, Kevin & Samantha
If you have a pet, don’t forget to include their name. Sometimes we make paw prints for pets not photographed but a part of the family.
5. Return Address: The home address is written in the same font style as the text inside the card. Either the address is written out or the family’s name may be included like:
The Smith Family
22 Indian Hill Road
East Hampton, NY 11937
Most of all have fun creating your card. Let the professionals help you and do it early so you can have all of your envelopes addressed by Thanksgiving Weekend!!
