The Giving Season

Disclaimer: I don’t want to freak anybody out with this post. Please note—I am well aware that it is only October. However, I intend on beginning a series on taking great holiday photos for great holiday cards.

Did I just hear a collective gasp? Please catch your breath and let me finish.

I promise that my intention is not to create a pre-holiday frenzy. On the contrary. My only desire is to encourage you to actually enjoy shooting photos for your holiday cards and create something you’ll be proud of and giddy to send out to friends and family. And, one way to start out on the right photo foot is to afford yourself some extra time to play. Yes, play. Isn’t that the greatest word?

I figure we all spend a lot of energy, time and money on sending out our annual holiday cards so we owe it to ourselves to make it a pleasurable experience. If we’re going to do it anyway, we might as well enjoy it, right? Getting started now only makes it that much easier to have fun with it. And beyond that, wouldn’t it be amazing to have your cards done early this year? I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking YES. I just knew you’d come around. A little change of perspective makes all the difference.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa…whether you have kids or pets, both or none of the above, you can create totally awe inspiring holiday cards with your photos and enjoy doing it. If there was ever a community that could do it, it’s this one. And since this is a community and we love sharing, I will be asking you to chime in on our conversation during the series with your own thoughts, tips, tricks, and photos (of course).

So, to properly kick off what we are calling the great greetings! series, let me begin by offering you a little something to think about. The holiday season is about giving. So, what if you considered your annual holiday card as a little gift (not an obligation or a chore)? Just imagine, you, as the amazing women, and talented photographers that you are can offer the world a little joy, love, humor, hope, and inspiration via your photographic images and a piece of mail. That’s pretty amazing when you think about it.

So, get ready and we embark on our journey toward creating some holiday magic this season in grand Shutter Sister style.

Comments

[Marcie]

What if you started thinking about nature's reds and greens as being your chrismas ones?

http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=545

Or how about where little elves live:

http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=544

[JeanaMarie]

hmmm. today i noticed an envelope on my bookshelf (dare i say envelopeS), addressed, but never sent, from LAST year - yes - i think i will starting early this year is a fantastic idea, and what better way to be motivated, by making it fun?

[Kathleen O.]

Fabulous! (even though it is NOT even Halloween - gulp) I was just trolling the online stores looking for something different in the way of photo cards...and, duh, perhaps what should be different is my PHOTO! Good to get the wheels turning.

[Bunny]

I can't wait to see what you have to help guide me through this! I swore last year I will not do the hokey family portraits at JCP again. They just really scream 80s family to me anymore. I know I can do better, I just need the practice!

[shelli]

I'm game.

[jag]

I have a confession to make... I've already started! My hair salon sells my cards and the owner told me she'd like a Christmas series... eek! So I started playing with photos I took last year, added a little Picnik magic and - voilà!

This one was made with a photo of a maple leaf stuck in my frozen driveway:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2880540906/in/set-72157606965585684/

Funny thing is... I don't even SEND Christmas cards!! :-)
xox

[Janine]

Wonderful! My sister asked me if I would take the pic for her Christmas card. Her kids are 14 and 10 so hopefully it will be an easy one. Can't wait for your always helpful tips!

[Gayle]

Oh yes! I need some advice on creating something wonderful for my Christmas cards this year!

[abbey]

cool shot!!
this is what leads me to know it is 'holiday season'!!
:)
http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2007/12/01/197-much-mistletoe-ing-and-hearts-will-be-glowing.html

[domesticali]

Thank you for kicking me into action - I always leave the card thing too late. Here's my first attempt:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/domesticali/2921750694/

[Jess]

When I took a trip to Gernamy this summer I saw a bunch of beautiful representations of the Madonna and Child.
I was planning on having one of these as my christmas card this year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesspunky/2674403172/in/set-72157606481047560/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesspunky/2673584121/in/set-72157606481047560/

[Amanda]

I've gotten started with all parts of the card, except the photo! I look forward to seeing the creativity flow here...and will certainly check back for inspiration! :)

[Lindy]

Wheeee! Thanks for the kick in the pants!

[~ kristina ~]

My sister likes to send her cards out at Thanksgiving, to get a jump on the season. These photos were taken at the tree she was considering for her backdrop.

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2008/10/black-hills-in-autumn-1.html

And yes, I'm already thinking about the handmade gifts I want to make for people at Christmas!

[Stacy]

Oh how I love designing Christmas cards! I want them to be FUN. :)

This was last years:

Cover: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/2060541583/
Inside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/2061326880/

I put my tree up the day before Thanksgiving, so that gives me time to get everything out the door by early December. Now I just need to figure out what to do this year. :) I have an inkling of an idea, though...

[Chocolate on my Cranium]

I need some tips! I've just started thinking about what we want to do for our cards this year. Do I want a nice picture of all the kids in color coordinated outfits or dare I try something completely different and go for a Jan van Holleben type of scene from his Dreams of Flying series: http://www.janvonholleben.com/dreams_of_flying.php?n=1?

And if I do that what can I do to get all seven of my kids in the scene?

[claudia]

I was just thinking a card with a fall theme might be fun this year. Which would mean I need to get moving soon!!

However, my husband is kind of a Clark Griswold at Christmas time with the lights. Just a few weekends ago I caught him getting started!
http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2901003166/

[renee @ FIMBY]

Oh, I'd love to be inspired about this. Thanks for this great idea.

[jfrancis]

Giving
is the ultimate
gift.

[dr lyn]

OK -- once my breathing returned to normal (as I already feel behind on all my creative projects) -- I'm loving this prompt. Every year I make a photo calendar for my mom as a Christmas gift. I know this. I do it Every. Single. Year. And yet, without fail, I am still gluing and photoshopping December 24th while everyone else relaxes by the fire.

My vow, in writing, here and now: I start earlier this year. Cards, calendar -- the whole shebang.

Thanks, Tracey, for the post!!

[Deanna]

I've been lurking for a while and now I am compelled to "speak"... I am **so** excited to see what you come up with. This may mean that everyone may get their holiday cards before the end of the holidays!

[Steph Wiese]

Well, my hubby has his birthday on Christmas day (making him a bit bitter about getting 2-in-1 gifts or getting his bday looked over) so getting him to prepare this far in advance would be a miracle. I'll have to be covert... I've gotten this far with the holidays...

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/

[ELK]

sometimes I leave a Christmas item out way past the season:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/

[NotAnna]

Last year I gave up on Christmas cards permanently and started a new thing: Chinese New Year cards. Gives me at least another month. Year of the Ox starts Jan 26. Now, where can I find a photogenic ox?

[m]

love the idea of chinese new year cards ! living in Scotland Hogmanay or New Year is still a really big holiday so for years I did all my cards post christmas. Hand made and kind of exhausted myself. Last year I BOUGHT CARDS ! and the sky didn't fall in and it was much easier all around. Unless I can find a fabulous image and get them printed by www.moo.com I'm just going to go the easy route !

[staci]

oh that photo makes me smile just like the snowman... a true gift.

[daisy]

Well, last Christmas was my first Christmas with my beloved camera, and I went a bit snap crazy, so I may just cheat and use a photo or two from last year as back-up. You know, just in case the pressure builds up to the point where I decide to send out pictures of coal to everyone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daisysharrock/2150103247/in/set-72157603588245843/

[carolbrowne]

Awesome...I've been doing my own Christmas cards since 2005. My family really looks forward to receiving them. I guess it is that time again.

[janine]

This is a great idea - finally some purpose for all those shots of tree lights and candles I end up with each Christmas! Thanks for the inspiration:)

[America]

I want to start taking better quality pictures like I see in other sites, that the lighting is amazing. Do you suggest a certain camera or lens? I have a baby on the way, and I want to invest as soon as possible.
America

[nike shox]

We are specialize in <a href="http://www.sportshoes007.com/Nike-Shox_57_1.html">Nike shox</a>,<a href="http://www.sportshoes007.com">this kind of shoes </a>are suitable for sport ,when we do some outside execises ,we can prepare one ,<a href="http://www.sportshoes007.com/Nike-air-Max_158_1.html">it’s the newest fashion </a>,many star like it vey much ,if you like sport , if you are pursuing fashion ,we are the best ,and we have a lots styles for you to choose , <a href="http://www.sportshoes007.com/Nike-air-Max-90-Current-Men_175_1.html">Nike air Max 90 </a> Nike air Max 2009 and so on …the high quality cheap max ,,there are a lot of <a href="http://www.sportshoes007.com/">air max wholesaler </a>..its worthy to purchase