Picture Perfect!

Looking for a photo for your holiday cards this year? Here's some tips for taking a great family photo.

Kids Move (don't we all know that!)

Kids like to move so take lots of shots. Give yourself plenty of time and just keep clicking!

Talk to Kids While Taking Pictures

Talking to kids is the best way to get them to look natural for the camera. It’s also the best way to get them to look at the camera. Ask questions, engage and be silly.

Zoom in Close

Step in or zoom in close. Focus on what is important and exclude the rest. Close up face shots are ideal, but don’t get hung up on having all the kids looking at the camera.

Capture the relationship

Kids love to be with other. Take photos that show them playing and talking together.

Having kids interacting naturally and sharing a moment can make a much more powerful picture even if they are not looking right at the camera.

Use Natural Lighting With Kids

In the morning when the sun comes up and at dusk when the sun is about to set are great times to get the best lighting. I once had my girls up at 6:00 am for a family shot! They still tease me about it but the picture turned out amazing!

Shoot at eye level
Try shooting at the same level as your children. Try kneeling down or sitting on the ground and snapping some photos from the child's perspective.

Watch for distracting backgrounds

Photoshop or picnik.com is great for editing pictures, but it’s even better if you don't need to use them at all. Look at the background, let the man walking to dog pass by before taking your photo.

Kids are always on the go and you never know what they will do next. The best tip is to let them be themselves. Not that you have the perfect family photo, why not show them off with a unique and warm holiday card? I hand selected over 70 adorable holiday cards at www.inkandpaige.com. Your photo will thank you!

I had my girls photo taken by Jeannie at Avalon Art Photo at the Jersey shore this summer and got an adorable shot so my holiday photo is all set (see my holiday card above - can also be used as an ornament - how cute is that!) Down by the Jersey Shore this summer - check out Jeannie's studio - Avalon Art (www.avalonartphoto.com). Her family shots are always personal and gorgeous.

Here’s a few idea's to keep the kids occupied as us moms (and dads) are busy preparing food (and more food) in the kitchen. It also makes them feel part of the process when they can’t help with some of the dishes being prepared in the kitchen.

Have the kids create menu cards. My girls love to play “waitress”. It’s a great way to practice handwriting and be part of the preparation. The menu cards can be written on plain white paper and then glued on to orange and brown construction paper.

Decorate the house. Have the kids make little turkeys, pumpkins, apples, pilgrim hats…you name it and place all over the house. Another great tip – use the tiny stickr corner frames that can be moved and replaced countless times and never leave a mark (http://tinyurl.com/2a38kox) and for 7 sets for $12, price can’t be beat (and no tape marks!)

“Thankful Thoughts”: Have your children write down on small pieces of paper or index cards what they are thankful for. Place one “thankful thought” on each plate. Your family and friends will truly love it and it will help inspire “thankful” conversation at dinner time. Your kids will also feel extra special or sharing their happy thoughts!

Other suggestions - - please share and post them here!

Want to have a holiday party but the thought completely overwhelms you? Try a dessert party! Buy some Prosecco (an Italian sparkling wine - tastes fabulous and not as pricey as champagne), pomegranate juice and sugar cubes and you have a festive red cocktail that tastes as good as it looks. No need to go crazy with dessert either. Try to avoid desserts that require a fork. Little niblets you can enjoy do the trick. Try mini-cupcakes, mini cannoli’s, chocolate covered almonds - I could go on and on!

Don’t forget the playlist either. A good party always has to have good music. Click below for some great suggestions from Food & Wine magazine (one of my favorite magazines!) www.foodandwine.com/articles/the-greatest-party-playlists. or from DJ Tony from the Ellen Show http://tinyurl.com/278t8z5. Of course, nothing gets your guests excited for the party then a beautiful invitation. Check out www.inkandpaige.com for some great choices.

Yes, my soon to be 7 year old is obsessed with cake boss so we decided to theme her party around Buddy and the show.

The latest invitations on Ink and Paige are too cute for words. Pirate maps and invitations that almost make me want to plan a boy party! Share with me some ideas you have for taking the pirate theme party to a whole new level!

http://www.inkandpaigeinvitations.com/category_128/Pirate.htm

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it"

"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."

- Willy Wonka



Willy Wonka's quotes sum up life right now. My two oldest girls are in the school's production of Willy Wonka which premiere's Thursday night (Claire is Mike TeVee and Grace is making her debut as an Oompah Loompah). They are both excited and I am too. We are rehearsing and decorating and working very hard.


Those sentiments carry over to Inkandpaige.com too. So excited yet so much to do! I am looking forward to our official launch but still "rehearsing, decorating and working very hard". I will let you know when it is officially up and running.


I am also thinking about summer (even though today is quite chilly). I slather the girls and myself in sunsreen and try to protect us all from the harmful rays of the sun. Check out http://www.cabanalife.com/. I love their terry coverups and hats. They are all 50+ UV protected. I just ordered a new coverup for Claire and a hat for me. 20% off with the code "summer".

I am so excited to launch Ink and Paige! Stay tuned for more info.

Paige