Getting an early start on Christmas Pictures

[Aliceacc]

OK, I know I've got it good. My husband, when he's not teaching, works part time with a photographer's studio. He has the know-how and the equipment. So we've never gone out for professional pictures of the kids; our walls are full of pictures he's taken.

But just a reminder for all of you who will be hitting Sears or Pennys or the Picture People: do your pictures EARLY!!! (we're doing ours on Monday... we always aim for Veteran's Day weekend.)

The places will be less crowded, so the photographer will be able to spend more time (and energy) with your kids. And, more importantly, your kids won't be waiting for an hour, bored to tears and ready to explode, before their turn comes up.

If you're having pictures done, call TODAY and make that appointment!

 

[jenrein]

Pictures early? I just finished stuffing the Christmas photo, signing, stuffing and addressing all of my cards last night I send out well over 100 and I like to drop them in the mail box on Black Friday

 

[ZPT1022]

After a bad experience at the Picture People last year (which has since closed by us anyhow...) we're debating just hanging a white sheet in the living room, getting out some Christmas props, and trying it ourselves. DH and I are both reasonably creative and we have a pretty good camera. Anyone ever done it that way?

 

[brandylouwho]

I often take my own photos in the summer months (when they can be taken outside in natural light with lush green lawn , trees or floral backgrounds), but I find it far more difficult to get photos that I love when I try to do indoor ones. I never like the background, the lighting in our house is tricky...so if you are going to do them at home do them soon, in case you don't like how they turn out you still have time to go somewhere and get them done. Then again, I am my own worst critic, my husband always thinks they look fine, but I notice every imperfection.

 

[Nikel]

I wanted to wait until we put the tree up, but I think we may head out this weekend and try to get some pictures. It's 2 weeks until Thanksgiving, 4 until Disney, and 6 until Christmas. I'm running out of time.

 

[Nikel]

After a bad experience at the Picture People last year (which has since closed by us anyhow...) we're debating just hanging a white sheet in the living room, getting out some Christmas props, and trying it ourselves. DH and I are both reasonably creative and we have a pretty good camera. Anyone ever done it that way?

Oh, I was gonna say that, IMO, white is HARD to get to come out right. I haven't been able to do it yet. I've just gone one light, lightstand, and umbrella right now though I can always blow out the white in photoshop to get the high key look, but that's a big pain, IMO. Black is the easiest, I think, but I've had some decent luck with colored backdrops too.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

The only thing with white is that it shows everything!! Every little wrinkle, fold, etc. I do like a white background better than anything else, though. Just try it!! If it doesn't work for you, no harm done!!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Our appt. at Portrait Innovations is tomorrow night! I LOVE getting it taken early in November to avoid the crowds. I always get our family photo taken on the day when I get my hair cut ..... I can never get it looking like she does. Figured I might as well capture it on film. Prior to my doing that I was in NO professional family photos.

 

[megthewonderful]

Our appointment is at JCP this weekend! We always get them done early so I have enough time to get them in the mail a few weeks before Christmas. Otherwise, by the time they came back and I addressed them all and wrote short notes to family and friends it would be more like a Happy New Year's Day card! Definitely beats the crowds and makes for a more enjoyable Christmas picture experience to go early!

 

[CastleCreations]

Oh, I was gonna say that, IMO, white is HARD to get to come out right. I haven't been able to do it yet. I've just gone one light, lightstand, and umbrella right now though I can always blow out the white in photoshop to get the high key look, but that's a big pain, IMO. Black is the easiest, I think, but I've had some decent luck with colored backdrops too.

We've tried the white look, very unsucessfully, I might add. I use a white vinyl background with a sheet of clear plexi over it. The shiny-ness of the floor is great, but I can't seem to get that seamless look. It's always sort of gray...

 

[katyjeka]

We've done ours every year in the backyard when the leaves start to change. They wear matching sweaters and khaki's. We've tried to dress them up and have them done somewhere, but we find they look much nicer when their comfortable and in a familiar setting. For the inside, we let each child type a special message, and we get a lot of nice feedback. Janice