11.08.2010

Our Christmas Cards with Minted




One of my favorite things about the holiday season is sending out our Christmas cards. Last year we went with a photo with just kiddos that we adored, but this year I knew I wanted a family photo, which is much easier said than done with two small ones. While on vacation we decided to take a chance and see what we could come up with. Thankfully it went off without a hitch and we managed to capture quite a few winners.

A few tips on capturing a great family photo...

1) Dress in what you are comfortable in. You can wear complementing outfits without being too matchy matchy.
2) Keep it simple...especially when using a self timer like we did for the first image. If you try too hard it will show, and not necessarily in a good way.
3) Be yourself. Again this goes back to dressing in what you would normally wear and stay away from too many trends unless that is who you really are. People want to see the real you.
4) Have fun!!! So many people put too much pressure on having to get that perfect shot, but in the long run you will see the stress of it all on your faces. The in between moments are always our favorites anyways.
5) Using a self timer can be hard even for a photographer like my Mr. so asking a friend to help can be a life saver. It also gave us the chance to do something that comes completely natural to us...walking as a family.

Then comes the choosing of the card. We being the creative types like to be a bit different and try to choose something that not only represents our family, but our photography as well. Once we saw Minted we knew they would be the best choice for us. The quality is superb with thick paper and the designs are fresh and so very unique. We liked them so much we choose two different designs this and this one. Really it was too hard to choose just one...so we didn't!

Now to get addressing so I can have them ready to send out the week after Thanksgiving. Yes, I like to be on top of things.

82 comments:

Julie Holloway said...

This is the prettiest card EVER! You and your sweet family look gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these....you've inspired me to get our act together and take a family photo.

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

really beautiful Paula! and great tips!

Anna White said...

You have no idea how much I love this..and your family...can you get any cuter? I think not...love it sweety...just a gorgeous idea x

MB said...

Your family Christmas cards are fantastic! They look 'real' and sweet, well done. BTW, I'm so impressed that you mail your Christmas cards out the week after Thanksgiving! You are one organized momma!

alison giese Interiors said...

Oh, Paula, these are AMAZING! I was just on the Minted site the other night, looking for a style with the typeface actually on the photo. This one is perfect - and so is your family!

P.S. - Way to be so on-the-ball with your cards!

ashley sullivan said...

i love them! good photo + good design = a perfect card. i love browsing through the designs at minted.

Unknown said...

These are seriously the cutest Christmas cards ever- your family is so gorgeous and the card is perfect!!! Thank you for inspiring me to get on the Chritmas card ball xo

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

Wonderful photos.

Where My Heart Is said...

What fabulous Christmas cards you are sending this year. You are very organised - I haven't even thought about them yet :0

Mrs. Filly said...

They look amazing. I love!

Fran said...

The pics are so adorable! And, the card is so fun!! Great job!

Natalie said...

I can't believe you used a self-timer for the first photo! It looks do professional..adorable christmas cards...and family!

Anonymous said...

Super cute! I love Christmas cards too and am always trying to get the perfect one. I am impressed you can do a self timer. I am not that good. I have a friend taking a few pictures so we can do the whole family.

Design Esquire said...

Your family is so cute! What wonderful photos.

Cat said...

love them! perfect! love the pic, too. my attempt to get their pics at Rosemary beach that week didn't go over too well. ha! I'm gonna try again here.

Melissa Marie Head said...

They look great!

Joyce said...

I can see how hard it would be to pick just one card- love them both! xo

Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

These are such beautiful cards! Your little family is too precious! I LOVE Minted- I have entered a ton of their design contests- It's a great way for Graphic Designers to get out there! I have a few cards selling on Minted and just LOVE the support that bloggers are giving them!

I bet you can't wait to send these out! Have a great Monday!

abodelove.blogspot.com

Staley Mc said...

Love the design of both of them! Yall are so cute!!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

Great photos. I'm so impressed you have cards already.

Monika said...

Lovely photos and thanks for the tips!

Julie said...

Adorable! I've narrowed down my Minted options to about 5 .... now how to pick??

Lauren said...

So so cute! I love the look of the cards! I'll have to check out Minted.

Unknown said...

Your cards & photos are just lovely... We just took our pictures yesterday and I am glad to see I followed some of your tips. Now that I have our photos, I am going to check out Minted...perfect timing!

Unknown said...

You have such a cute family. Love the cards!

Birdie Pearl said...

How wonderful! You all look like models. I love putting my cards together, as well, and I really love to receive them from friends close-by and far away.

Kim said...

I love these!

Michelle @ Ten June said...

Good for you! I am waaaay behind on Christmas cards this year. Yours are adorable!

Danielle said...

You have such a beautiful family. The cards look great!

Danielle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JMW said...

Your pics are so great! I had not heard of Minted, but now I'm going to check them out. We, too, have featured the kids in our last couple of Christmas cards. I think it's time for another family shot. (You have a lovely family, BTW.)

A Perfect Gray said...

these are wonderful!

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Great cards with even more terrific photos. Your tips were fantastic. And your cards are finished in plenty of time:)

Erin Deegan said...

fantastic. beautiful. creative. fun!

Melissa @ Veranda Interiors said...

Super cute!! I just got mine from Minted on Friday, keep your eye out for it! Thanks again! xo

Lovin That! said...

I love it!! You have inspired me to do a family card (I usually just do one wit my daughter on it). Thanks for sharing!!

I posted a few Christmas inspiration photos from Sarah Richardson this morning. Getting in the festive spirit!

Haven and Home said...

Could y'all be any cooler? Love Love Love

Unknown said...

So gorgeous Paula.. what a beautiful family! xo

Pink Wallpaper said...

LOVE :)

carolina postcard said...

Yall are way too cute! Sure wish I had my act together this early, but kudos to you.

Lissa Pierce said...

Such a gorgeous family! I love the pic of you all sitting. So cute.

Tash said...

Awesome and unique cards! You have a beautiful family :)

pve design said...

wowsa, you know how to rock the holiday card!
pve

Jill GG said...

just gorgeous!!!

Anna said...

Love, love, love! They are both gorgeous and relaxed, but I particularly like the sitting shot! So hard to appear natural, but you accomplished it. Well done.

Great tips, as well.

Julie said...

What a beautiful family... and beautiful Christmas cards!

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

Such great photos! I agree about the trends and matching clothes!

Donna said...

These are too cute!!!

coolkids said...

awesome pics Paula! We just got our pics done this weekend. Now, too choose my favorite and the card!
fun2bkids.blogspot.com

Annie said...

Oh, I love, love, love these! Both turned out so natural and fun~ You've almost convinced me to splurge on some Minted cards for us to send out this year! :)

My Interior Life said...

Your cards are adorable!! And so ironic because as I was flipping through Town & Country magazine earlier today, I saw an ad for Minted and thought they might be a great option for our cards. Guess I better get on it. I'm usually a first week of December kind of girl, so I need to get cracking!

Anonymous said...

So cute. That first design was my favorite back when you had the giveaway.

Jennifer Woods said...

Love them! Where is your husband's hat from? I might need one for mine.

molly b. said...

beautiful, paula. i expected no less!

Jennifer said...

great tips! I love to see a whole family instead of just the kids!

Gracie said...

Those are really sweet! I love that you are so organised with your Christmas cards.

And your tips are great and I think I will have to do get photos done sometime.

Bridget said...

LOVE IT. you guys are so styling. love the husband's hat.

and this reminds me, i need to get on mine!

Megan said...

These are so wonderful; I love the images you used- such a beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

Best family photo Xmas card ever. Fantastic job!

nuha said...

these are precious! love it!

emma@marionhousebook said...

Just showed them to my husband and he is game. Can't wait to do ours!

Unknown said...

Just love these... they inspire me to do the same, still I know better. (that I wont) haha

LindsB said...

ok this is totally random but your husband looks like maxim chmerkovskiy in these pics- what a hottie!

You know the dancer from Dancing with the Stars? Has he ever gotten that before?

la la Lovely said...

Total awesomeness. I wish I was that cool!!! Gorgeous family and gorgeous cards! Thanks for sharing!!
xx

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I adore your Christmas card! It doesn't hurt that you are all gorgeous with impeccable style! My 16 year old daughter and I both love your blog.

Laura Bear said...

They are great!!

Alex {Things That Sparkle} said...

i am so impressed! by far the cutest holida cards ive seen.

www.thingsthatsparkleblog.blogspot.com

rachel@urbannest said...

These are fantastic, so charming!

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

You guys are like a famous couple...good looking family :))) LOVE them!

www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

Amanda Pair said...

Super super cute! Both of them.

paula said...

that hat is from J Crew :)

Splendid Willow said...

What a lovely vibe I get from these cards, Paula! What a family!

I might not be quite as young and hip as you (!) but I am all for unique and non-contrived photo shoots. Something very similar will come from this household.

Thank you for the reminder. I still have bats sitting on my front porch!

ox, Mon

Ashley Layne said...

Love love love these pics. Love the Coldirons! Ill keep my eye open for our card in the mail!

Cassie said...

These are amazing - 'walking' pictures are a real fave of mine at the moment.

This tradition of family cards is something that is really missing here in the UK and a tradition I think we really should adopt.
xx

Eden Lang said...

WOW!! these turned out SO GREAT!!!! I wanna do some too!

Wahzat Gayle said...

Wonderful cards!
Prefer the first one with the red that family.
The second one has a line through it that cuts the family in two which I am not fond of.
( hope u don't mind that I shared my opinion)
Hugs

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Just had to stop by and say that I love these photos and cards! So unique and fresh - not your typical posed shot.

Becky D @ Kings Down Road said...

OMG - those are great!!

Hello Lover... said...

You guys look like such a stylish family - great photos!

tracie @ {tsj} photography said...

SUPER love!!!

Amanda said...

I went with Minted too! They are simply the best!

Your family is picture perfect.

Jessica (Modern Moments Designs) said...

I'm a graphic designer and I check minted for inspiration all the time! I just saw your card on pinterest! I am totally doing photos like these this year! I love how casual, carefree, etc. We have three little boys and I always stress about doing out photos! Not this year!! Thank you so much for your post. You have a beautiful family!!!!

www.modernmomentsdesigns.com