Sending love and memories this season

There’s nothing better than receiving all of those San Francisco Bay Area family photo holiday cards! Holiday photos are meant for sharing, and the quality of photo cards nowadays is unsurpassed. And creating them is just as fun. So where are the best places to order your photo holiday cards? Which services creatively and elegantly highlight your best professional photo? Here are a few favorites that excel in modern design and originality and are usually great at customer service and prompt delivery.

Pinhole Press – This fun company creates wonderful gifts with your photos (the picture memory game is a big hit with kids) including a large selection of holiday cards. www.pinholepress.com

Artifact Uprising– Modern designs, easy-to-use templates, and lots of inspiration! www.artifactuprising.com

Etsy: If you have the ability to handle a little design work on your own and want to support an artist, etsy is the best place to find the most original cards. Just search for “holiday card templates with photos” and start browsing! www.etsy.com

Mpix: Nothing compares to the service you get with Mpix. Most cards are designed and delivered quickly to your doorstep. And they have some lovely designs with foil! www.mpix.com

Minted: You can’t beat the volume of choices, both traditional and modern, at Minted. Plus you can get matching envelope liners. So cute! www.minted.com

Ever wonder how to navigate the many options to land on the perfect holiday card for your photo? Here are a few tips on picking just the right design to showcase your family photo!

• Take the time to find the right card for your favorite photo. This is not always an easy task. Your favorite photo might not look great with words over someone’s face, or perhaps it needs to be in a vertical format instead of a horizontal one.  Look around at the many card templates and card companies. Play with options and find the right one for your photo.
• Less can be more. I get it, you have a bunch of photos you want to highlight and all those cute closeups! But when you can pick one or two for a card. they will have more impact, especially since most holiday cards are no bigger than 5×7. Let your best photo shine!
• If you do want to use several photos, pick a card with a square grid of photos for symmetry. Embrace the photo booth look and go with several different expressions, or think about using only black and white photos.
• Don’t be afraid to use a candid photo! So many families mention the many compliments they get on their holiday cards because it featured a photo of them laughing together or running at sunset. We often gravitate to the photo where everyone is smiling at the camera. But don’t be afraid to try something different that reminds you of the magic in your family, even if it’s less than a perfect pose.
• Add a little bling! Those foil cards sure are pretty.
• Running behind? A Happy New Year Card is the new trend for busy parents who can’t quite check holiday cards off their to-do list earlier in the season.

Luckily, it’s not too late to book a holiday portrait session for 2022. Family portrait scheduling is underway! Make sure to reach out soon. Don’t forget the power of yearly family portraits! Looking for natural, fun, easy family portraits in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland, Berkeley, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, San Jose or Santa Cruz? Email me at christina@nightingalephotos.com

Can’t wait to hear from you, soon!

Christina