How to Make a Christmas Photo Card

I have five children. My goal each year is to have a decent family photo. Umm, yep, you are right--it is not easy to do. Having done multiple Christmas card photo shoots over the years, I have come across several helpful tips.

1. Shoot in natural light. My best photos are when I shoot a photo without using the flash. Look for a location that has even natural light. Usually a location near a window or a doorway that opens outside will work well. (Note: Don't take it in front of a window as that usually causes too much contrast in a photo. )

2. Shoot in a familiar location.

3. Let them be. Posing isn't necessary all the time. Sometimes capturing them while they are playing and interacting makes a more meaningful photo.

4. Props aren't necessary but can be fun. Fun hats, large outdoor ornaments, or even something that represented their hobbies or likes (like a tennis racket or basketball) can be a fun addition to a photo. Make sure the props don't over-shadow the subject(s).

5. Bribing can help. I'll resort to this tactic as a last step. Whether it is a piece of candy or a dollar bill, bribes work---well most of the time. When bribes don't work, a zoom lens does. Let them think you're not taking their photo and then capture them while they are playing. Usually I get a more natural expression that way.

Photographer Katrina Kennedy shares wonderful examples and tips on capturing the perfect imperfect holiday photo.
This year I say embrace the imperfect! Let your family be who they are. Let them wear what they want to wear. Let them make the faces they want to make! Most families are relaxed fun loving people right? Let your holiday cards show that! ~Katrina Kennedy

There are two types of photo templates.

1. Quick photo cards. These cards are already designed and all that is needed is a photo. Usually you can customize the greeting but that is it. These cards are formatted as PNG files and can be used by multiple photo-editing software programs.

2. Layered Photo templates. These are files that allow you to choose the papers, elements and photos. You have more creative control. These cards are formatted as PSD files,which requires a photo-editing program such as Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to use.

Hints:

Think about the envelopes first. I have created cards and realized afterwards that the envelope size I needed were hard to find or expensive. Check before-hand to make sure you can purchase/find the envelopes you will need.

Make sure the orientation of your photo will fit the orientation of the card.

Here are a couple of ready-made Christmas cards in PNG format. The download includes a 5x7 card with space for one photo and a 4x8 card with space for one photos.

Here are additional photo-card options:

Layered templates allow you to choose papers, elements and titles. You will need Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to use the following photo-cards.

There are several options to use to print your cards. After the card has been created, save it as a jpeg on your computer. Once you have done that you can:

1. Upload to a photo-processing site such as Shutterfly which has a customize card option. This option includes envelopes with the photo.

2. Upload to your favorite photo-processing site and have the cards printed just like you would a photo. Purchase the envelopes on your own.

3. Print at home using your own printer.

4. Email the photos and don't print at all. If you use this option, resize your image for web. Using your photo-processing program change the photo-resolution of your card to 72dpi. Try to keep the file-size to 100K. Here's an online-resizing program if you aren't sure how to do it.