Susan K Mann

Award Nominated Mummy & Parenting blogger. Blogging about the highs and lows of being a working mother of two princes & princess, living out our own fairytale in Scotland.

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Top Tips for Creating Magical Photo Christmas Cards

22nd November 2016 By Susan Mann 89 Comments

With Christmas in coming closer each day, I have been trying to get myself organised. Top of my list was getting the Christmas cards ordered so I don’t miss those all important last dates for posting abroad, etc. I love to send out Christmas cards featuring a photo of the children. I think it’s a lovely item for those dear to us, that we might not get to see as often as we’d like. Plus I always keep one for ourselves to look back on over the years. This year I have been looking at Snapfish to create our very own personalised family Christmas card.

I take a lot of photos of my children as you may know, for here, my instagram, twitter, facebook or just for our own memories. My favourite photos are not staged ones, but ones that I watch them play or do their own thing and snap a quick capture of that moment without them noticing. Photos of your loved ones are perfect for capturing moments, memories encapsulated in time. 

Tops Tips for Creating Family Christmas Cards

My Top Tips for Taking Family Christmas Cards

  • Use a tripod to steady the camera and a remote control if you can. This gives you hands free to get your children to look at the camera or for us mums to be in front of the camera if you use a timer of the remote.
  • Make it fun for the children. Use funny sayings like “smelly socks” to get a natural smile and making it fun.
  • Take several pictures. That way if anyone blinks of looks the other way, you’ll hopefully have one you like. But, don’t have them sitting too long. It doesn’t have to be perfect, the natural look is usually best.
  • I would also suggest taking one picture at a time of each of your children and adding them together in a collage. This is what we went for this time. I picked out 4 pictures of each of us that capture us perfectly.
  • If possible take pictures outside. We don’t get a lot of light this time of year, so it’s best between 10am and 3pm. Natural light looks best in pictures. Not everyone has their own professional lights with them. Go for a nice walk, get them to play in the leaves, throw in the air or hang out in a trees. That’s what I went for.

Snapfish asked me to recreate a famous family’s Christmas card. Being a child of the 80’s and a 90’s teen I couldn’t help myself, I chose one of the Beckham’s to recreate. Their family size is sort of similar to mine, give or take a child! I really liked this one below. I felt it captured each child in a natural way and was a photo you could look at all year round.

beckams-christmas-card

I took some pictures of the children outdoors and one of Aria on the stairs with the kitten. We wanted to include her this year, she was introduced to our family at the summer and was instantly one of us. As usual there are very little photos of myself. I am always the one behind the lens, so the photo of my husband and I was from a wedding at the summer. Next year, this is my new years resolution to get in front of the camera. Hold me to this, won’t you? I changed the photos to black and white, which I love. There is something strikingly beautiful and timeless about black and white photos, don’t you think?

susankmann-christmas-card

Then the magic of the Snapfish website. I picked out my template, Gold Brush Handwritten Christmas, uploaded the 4 photos, added them in and amended the wording and away we went. Voila. What do you think?

snapfish-christmas-card

I’ve used Snapfish in the past for creating baby thank you cards and Christmas cards. Snapfish has some great prices for cards, personalised gifts, canvas prints, mugs as well as calendars and much more. They offer a wide selection of photo cards, with a several of personalisation options and features to make card creation simple and effective. There are loads of choices of designs available, everyone more beautiful than the last. Creating cards, invites, thank you and much more. Or you can create one from scratch. The site is simple and easy to use. Each step is intuitive and it is easy up upload your photos to the site, save and go back to it at a later date if you with. The templates are vast and I am sure there is something that will suit everyone. Or just get those photos printed that have been sitting in on your laptop or phone for years. There really is something special about flicking through old photo albums. On Screen slideshows are just not the same.

I would highly recommend Snapfish for creating your own holiday Christmas cards, it really is a card that everyone will keep on their mantel piece for years to come. A little piece of your family love from you to them. Plus the prices are great. I cannot wait to receive our Christmas cards and send them out to our loved ones. Watch out on my social media channels where I will share the pictures of them.

I would love to see your Christmas card designs. Leave me a link in the comments or let me know on social media and I will come check them out. Happy Christmas card designing.

Ours just arrived. What do you think?

Snap Fish Christmas Cards

Disclosure:- This post has been created in collaboration with Snapfish, but all words and opinions are my own. This is something I have ordered in the past and loved.

Related posts:

The Gallery 110 - Emotion
The Gallery 186 - Up Close and Personal
A Special Dress for a Special Occasion - Damsel in a Dress

Filed Under: Competition, Parenting, Review Tagged With: Beckhams, Christmas, Christmas gifts, Competition, Family, Family Holidays, Giveaway, kids, Parenting, Photography, Snapfish

Comments

  1. Samantha O'D says

    22nd November 2016 at 11:40 am

    I dont really have any tips, i really like snapfish as you can crop and edit your picture before ordering

    Reply
  2. Le Coin de Mel says

    23rd November 2016 at 9:45 am

    Beautiful card, hun! I love your tips. I’ll try “smelly socks” next time I try and capture my 4 together. I generally get them to say things like “bananas” or “sausages” but “smelly socks” is a lot better!

    Reply
  3. Abigail Edkins says

    23rd November 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Dont put 2 brothers next to each other…it always end in a fight after a dig in the ribs here, a sly elbow there 🙂

    Reply
  4. Natalie Crossan says

    23rd November 2016 at 11:55 pm

    Make sure everyone smiles!

    Reply
  5. Robyn Clarke says

    24th November 2016 at 12:48 am

    Don’t take it too seriously, sometimes the playful images are the best.

    Reply
  6. Laura Nelson says

    25th November 2016 at 8:05 pm

    Fab post and I do love a family Christmas card. In fact this is the first year we’re not doing one as Logan has designed us a Christmas card at school. I think the best advise I could give would be that the best photos to use are natural ones. Even if someone’s not looking or making a goofy face it doesn’t matter as relatives love it 🙂

    Reply
  7. TheBrickCastle says

    26th November 2016 at 11:10 pm

    That is a gorgeous card – you really have got some amazing photos there which capture you all so well.

    Reply
  8. kim neville says

    1st December 2016 at 6:15 pm

    Take a few photos and choose one with everyone smiling or looking natural in photo

    Reply
  9. Jim Radford says

    1st December 2016 at 6:30 pm

    Get an amazing back drop and some funky https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3e690a30711a733b4a112e519c4b3c7b4bb2f7844d91346d4cedf4fce5681995.jpg jumpers!

    Reply
  10. maci234 says

    1st December 2016 at 6:49 pm

    make it fun

    Reply
  11. Cat Rockandrollpussycat Blog says

    1st December 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Try and get ourdoors if you can – light is so much better

    Reply
  12. laura banks says

    1st December 2016 at 6:58 pm

    you gotta have xmas jumpers

    Reply
  13. Fiona King says

    1st December 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Dress up in silly Santa costumes and red noses

    Reply
  14. h_igoe says

    1st December 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Get someone else to take the picture

    Reply
  15. Julie Bellham says

    1st December 2016 at 8:33 pm

    Have bribes ready 🙂

    Reply
  16. tammy says

    1st December 2016 at 8:39 pm

    keep it relaxed the smiles will be more natural

    Reply
  17. SUSANHOGGETT says

    1st December 2016 at 8:47 pm

    laugh it makes your face much more relaxed and natural

    Reply
  18. Lynsey Buchanan says

    1st December 2016 at 8:58 pm

    Get everyone laughing and relaxed for the photo

    Reply
  19. Isabel O/Boxes & Swatches says

    1st December 2016 at 9:31 pm

    If you’ve got little ones don’t hang about, get the photo in quick as they’ll soon get fed up with sitting still. Or if possible bribe them to sit still with some sort of sugary treat haha!

    Reply
  20. Emma says

    1st December 2016 at 9:32 pm

    A good photographer that makes you and your family feel relaxed.

    Reply
  21. Leigh Marea Boyle says

    1st December 2016 at 9:58 pm

    make sure the kids are in good moods or as well as can be, time for after naps if possible x

    Reply
  22. Matt Froggatt says

    1st December 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Lots and lots and lots of bribery!

    Reply
  23. Nancy Bradford says

    1st December 2016 at 10:26 pm

    Have a photo taken of you doing something that you enjoy doing as a family (riding bikes, playing board games, etc.)

    Reply
  24. leanne williams says

    1st December 2016 at 11:02 pm

    make sure the kids had a good night sleep before

    Reply
  25. greig spencer says

    1st December 2016 at 11:38 pm

    try and make the pictures look as natural as possible

    Reply
  26. Beky Austerberry says

    1st December 2016 at 11:50 pm

    take lots and make it look as natural as possible with the best lighting

    Reply
  27. Fiona Sanderson says

    1st December 2016 at 11:50 pm

    Have them natural and not posed!

    Reply
  28. Monica Gilbert says

    1st December 2016 at 11:52 pm

    Try to get them to forget there’s a camera there.

    Reply
  29. Ruth Davies says

    2nd December 2016 at 5:37 am

    I’d choose a time when the kids are not busy

    Reply
  30. Karen Barrett says

    2nd December 2016 at 6:09 am

    I prefer natural shots rather than staged

    Reply
  31. Sandra Clarke says

    2nd December 2016 at 7:08 am

    Make sure there’s nothing in the background to spoil the photo – like flowers growing out of your head!

    Reply
  32. Angela L Paull says

    2nd December 2016 at 7:18 am

    Try and capture moment so when they’re not posing. I love a natural shot

    Reply
  33. Ruth Harwood says

    2nd December 2016 at 7:51 am

    no distracting background and loads of smiles xx

    Reply
  34. Jo Carroll says

    2nd December 2016 at 9:46 am

    Kids love dressing up so maybe try to create a favourite Xmas movie scene or poster.

    Reply
  35. claire_barnesy says

    2nd December 2016 at 10:28 am

    make the theme something the kids enjoy

    Reply
  36. Alison Macdonald says

    2nd December 2016 at 10:50 am

    Don’t force people to smile! Natural ones are far better x

    Reply
  37. michelle speight says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:00 am

    make them look natural

    Reply
  38. Jules Smith Eley says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:17 am

    Lots of planning and sweets to keep the kids happy 😉

    Reply
  39. MANDY DOHERTY says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:31 am

    Make it fun & try not to get too stressed

    Reply
  40. Daniel Hobbs says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:34 am

    Make it as funny as possible

    Reply
  41. Amez2012 says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:38 am

    take lots and choose the best!

    Reply
  42. Liz Ferguson says

    2nd December 2016 at 6:46 pm

    I would go along the ‘fun’ line and not be too serious, and invite a hoard of relatives, and ask them to be as zany as poss in their dress code xx

    Reply
  43. Allan Fullarton says

    2nd December 2016 at 6:51 pm

    Take photo’s when people aren’t aware – natural.

    Reply
  44. Catherine Lett says

    2nd December 2016 at 7:31 pm

    Make it funny 🙂

    Reply
  45. Laura Pritchard says

    2nd December 2016 at 8:34 pm

    Fart as you’re about to take the shot so you get natural looking smiles & laughter 😉

    Reply
  46. Rowena Wood says

    2nd December 2016 at 11:52 pm

    I think photos of family’s having fun in the snow or playing a game make s a better memorable picture rather than just people smiling cheesily wit Christmas jumpers on!

    Reply
  47. supastar1501 says

    3rd December 2016 at 12:00 am

    Put together a card that represents you as a family and makes the receivers smile. x

    Reply
  48. Kelly Wheelhouse says

    3rd December 2016 at 12:44 am

    photos taken in natural situations e.g. laughing or playing look much nicer on a card than photos which are staged 🙂

    Reply
  49. lynn heath says

    3rd December 2016 at 6:54 am

    Try not to pose it – sometimes a spontaneous picture is a million times better than a staged photo!

    Reply
  50. Erica Price says

    3rd December 2016 at 7:01 am

    Take one outdoors as the light is usually better

    Reply
  51. Sirley Young says

    3rd December 2016 at 7:17 am

    Have snacks at the ready to keep the kids happy 🙂

    Reply
  52. Chris says

    3rd December 2016 at 8:42 am

    You want everyone to look relaxed so have a few props handy to make them smile. Ask them to choose something they love to have with them in the photo.

    Reply
  53. Donna Large says

    3rd December 2016 at 2:22 pm

    do it to make people smile

    Reply
  54. Rebecca Howells says

    3rd December 2016 at 4:14 pm

    Keep it natural!

    Reply
  55. D. Harrison says

    3rd December 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Put a joke in there!

    Reply
  56. Jayne Townson says

    3rd December 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Get everyone in a fun mood, then start snapping. I love your black and white photos.

    Reply
  57. jodie wren says

    3rd December 2016 at 5:15 pm

    be silly and wear xmas outfits

    Reply
  58. Hannah Scudder says

    3rd December 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Keep natural, and wear festive outfits

    Reply
  59. AgentAllan says

    3rd December 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Promise cake for after the photo (if they all behave)

    Reply
  60. Gem Cook says

    3rd December 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I like to make sure everyone is feed and watered and doesn’t need the toilet.
    Happy kids = better chance of a decent photo lol.

    Reply
  61. Louise Ryves says

    3rd December 2016 at 9:55 pm

    All dress up and stand in front of the Christmas tree

    Reply
  62. Kat Allinson says

    3rd December 2016 at 10:01 pm

    Have fun and wear festive outfits

    Reply
  63. ashleigh allan says

    3rd December 2016 at 10:09 pm

    try and keep it natural!

    Reply
  64. kathycakebread says

    3rd December 2016 at 10:52 pm

    wear festive outfits

    Reply
  65. Adrian Bold says

    3rd December 2016 at 10:56 pm

    Silly festive jumpers!

    Reply
  66. Rachel Craig says

    3rd December 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Good lighting. Consider colours. Take several shots in various poses etc.

    Reply
  67. Sarah Knightley says

    3rd December 2016 at 11:23 pm

    My tip would be to think about what is in the background of the photos, not just the subject.

    Reply
  68. zebedee01 says

    4th December 2016 at 12:01 am

    Choose good quality photos where the picture is nice and clear! and I think it would be nice to use a Christmassy photo too, like in Christmas outfits or by the tree!

    Reply
  69. Lucy Knight says

    4th December 2016 at 12:09 am

    just try and make it as natural as possible

    Reply
  70. Emma Beckett says

    4th December 2016 at 12:49 am

    Try and catch the children unawares so that it all looks natural.

    Reply
  71. Jamie Millard says

    4th December 2016 at 2:06 am

    find the balance between fun and serious

    Reply
  72. Emma Fox says

    4th December 2016 at 8:35 am

    Think of the framing of the subject in the picture – they do not always have to be central 🙂

    Reply
  73. esme mccrubb says

    4th December 2016 at 8:55 am

    DONT TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY. HAVE LOTS OF FUN

    Reply
  74. karen hutchinson says

    4th December 2016 at 8:59 am

    Be natural and dress up in Christmas outfits

    Reply
  75. Toni Glenn says

    4th December 2016 at 9:22 am

    These are great tips, thanks! And I love the card <3

    Reply
  76. Nicki Ramsay says

    4th December 2016 at 9:24 am

    There’s nothing more Christmassy than snow pictures even though we never seem to get a white Christmas. When the snow falls (even if it’s at Easter) think Christmas cards and take some fun shots to save up for later in the year.

    Reply
  77. Jo McPherson says

    4th December 2016 at 9:28 am

    Not too posed, try to keep it natural and fun looking

    Reply
  78. Claire Thomson Little says

    4th December 2016 at 2:15 pm

    have fun

    Reply
  79. rebecca whale says

    4th December 2016 at 3:04 pm

    Use props to the make the photos fun x

    Reply
  80. sharon martin says

    4th December 2016 at 4:37 pm

    try for a more natural shot

    Reply
  81. Patrick says

    4th December 2016 at 5:28 pm

    fun and classy

    Reply
  82. vicksta09 says

    4th December 2016 at 6:17 pm

    keep it fun and simple

    Reply
  83. laura stewart says

    4th December 2016 at 6:34 pm

    take lots of picture- you will get the right one

    Reply
  84. MrRichTea says

    4th December 2016 at 9:01 pm

    Making it personal 🙂

    Reply
  85. Mental Parental says

    4th December 2016 at 9:05 pm

    Don’t worry about having everyone face the camera! Natural shots are often just as beautiful, if not more so x

    Reply
  86. Yvette Duignan says

    4th December 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Relax and enjoy it!

    Reply
  87. DAWN HULL says

    4th December 2016 at 10:38 pm

    Don’t leave it until the last minute. Plan in advance.

    Reply
  88. Kate Smith says

    4th December 2016 at 10:47 pm

    Have some genuine fun – the photos will look more authentic that way.

    Reply
  89. Mrs Broomfield says

    4th December 2016 at 11:46 pm

    Let the children have fun with it as they won’t pose if you put pressure on them!

    Reply

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