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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.

Designing your holiday photo cards

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.

Designing your holiday card, textured papers

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

 Designing your holiday photo card

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!!

 

 

 

 

 
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The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and fall family portraits can be just as lovely as summer photographs. There are still the same approaches to family portraits in the months of September and October, with a few changes to keep in mind.

Location: This may be a state park with hills, trails, logs and tall grasses, a pumpkin farm with all of its activities, your own backyard and somewhere to include the colorful fall leaves.

Dress: Something warm. Sweaters with natural colors: ivory, tans, browns, deep reds, burgundy, greens, and dark blues. A hat or scarf can add touch of color. Jeans or Khakis give a family portrait a presentable casual appearance.

Time of Day: To take advantage of the best light, fall portraits happen in the late afternoon.Typically I like to start an hour and a half before sunset.

Pets: If you are thinking of making a photograph suitable for a holiday card, bring your pet or pets! They are part of your family too! It helps to have a friend or relative come along to care for your pets when we are making other photographs.

Once all of the above has been decided upon, come to your session relaxed and ready to have fun. I prefer keeping the children active so their smiles happen naturally. My team and I will take care of everything else.

Family portraits in the fall

Family portraits in the Fall.

Book your session soon while the temperatures are still comfortable.

 
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After years of working as a portrait photographer in the Hamptons, I have had a lot of parents ask, “what is the best age to have a portrait session of my child?”  My answer is, “any age is a good age!” Each age offers different possibilities for photographs. My job is to capture the unique, magical glimpses of each stage of a child’s development. I would like to share with you the special moments we can capture at each age.

From Newborn to 5 Years Old – When to Have Your Child’s Portrait Session

0-1 month: Newborns have tiny noses, fingers, and toes contrasted with an adult. A lot of photographs will be made with the parents, since this age child needs lots of support. Baskets, small wagons, and fluffy quilts cuddle the baby. Sleeping photos to capture the tenderness of this age are not uncommon.

3 months: This baby babbles coos, squeals and smiles readily. There are lots of wonderful expressions to capture. Some of these babies like to lie on their tummy and can even hold their heads up. This offers a new range of positions and expressions, which can be captured forever.

6 months: A 6 month old likes to reach for objects and inspect them with their hands, eyes, and mouth. Their ranges of expressions are growing as is their body control. This is a great age for siblings to be included and cuddle the newest member of the family. Have with you their favorite objects at the beginning of the session; I will also be bringing along some natural age appropriate grasping toys.

9 months:  This young child is beginning to explore more of their environment. They may creep, crawl, sit without support, or pull themselves up to stand. They like to play peek-a-boo, will respond to their name, and make playful sounds. Teething is usually occurring so they also like to bite and chew toys. Have a towel handy to wipe up the drool. Parents may be called upon to help with encouraging their child’s expressions.

10 – 12 months:  This is one of my favorite ages for child photography. This little character crawls easily, may stand and even begin to walk. I have custom-made boats and wagons for support. This child is easy to engage. They are beginning to have a sense of humor, like to wave “bye-bye,” understands “no-no”, gives and takes objects, and will repeat performances that are laughed at.

2 year old: I call these children my “movers and shakers.”  There are on the go, exploring the world around them. It’s important to follow the mood, temperament, and actions of this adventurer.  A lot of patience is required since this child usually does not respond to verbal persuasion and if frustrated, will have a temper tantrum. They will usually find an activity they enjoy repeating over and over; like filling a bucket with sand and dumping it out, pushing my small rowboat towards the water, and running in and out of the water. These are all enjoyable activities that elicit natural expressions from your toddler. They may play alongside other children, but not with them. Ownership of his or her own things, a favorite toy or blanket is fiercely held onto and may be included in some of their portraits.

3 year olds: This is a delightful age for portraits. At three, children can take suggestions for playful activities; like making a sand castle or playing with trucks in the sand. They can play simple games like “ring around the rosy”, “red light green light” or “Simon says.” They enjoy nursery rhymes, naming silly foods, and counting things.  Breaks for snacks and drinks help keep this child happy.

4 year olds: This child is blossoming as a self-sufficient individual. They have a wonderful sense of humor, love silly songs and names, and use their imagination in their play activities. They like to make up stories about where sand trucks are going, or who lives in the sand castle, or about friendly fish in the sea. Their engaging play encourages a wide variety of expressions for me to photograph. If they have siblings, these children like playing together making more opportunities for interactive candids.

5 year olds: At this stage, many children want to help and please adults making them very easy to work with. They enjoy exercise games, humorous stories and can even act them out. They are self-assured and enjoy playing with others. There is a wide range of photographic possibilities with 5 year olds.

Would you like to read more about children’s portraits? Click here:
My Baby Is Teething: Can I Still Have Her Portrait Done?Beautiful Babies Photos During The First Year8 Ways to Prepare For Your Child’s Beach Portraits