Photo Card Tips for Seasonal Greetings

Photo greeting cards come in two main categories: One is a standard stock card with a window cut out to allow a photo to show through. The other is a design and photograph printed as one on glossy photo paper. The card stock varieties can often be purchased where other greeting cards are sold' then slip in your picture. The glossy photo-style cards are either ordered and printed from an online service, or can be created using the digital photo kiosks at many pharmacies and retail stores.

Regardless of the type of card you use, you want to ensure your photograph is the best possible to convey your message of season's greetings. It pays to brush up on some photography techniques and follow a few tips to work toward a good image.

* Get a new perspective on a shot rather than simply standing and shooting the camera. Try kneeling down or lying on the floor and shooting upward at your subject. Or stand on a ladder and shoot downward.

* Pay attention to the background as well as the foreground in your pictures. You don't want to mar a picture by having an unsightly background item steal the thunder of your main subject.

* Don't limit yourself to a Christmas or winter theme. As long as it's a great image, feel free to use a vacation shot or another picture. This will allow card recipients to keep and display the image all year long instead of feeling limited to the holiday season.

* If you're posing the entire family for a shot, consider having everyone wear the same color or type of outfit so it lends a cohesive look to the picture.

* While you can visit a photo studio and have a professional photo taken with their backdrop and props, you can create a similar effect at home. For Christmas, pose subjects on wrapping paper, tissue paper, or amid a pile of gifts and snap away. Use a solid colored tablecloth to serve as a backdrop for the image.

* If you plan on having multiple family members in the photo but through scheduling or geography makes it hard for all to be together, consider using photo editing software. Take a picture of everyone individually and put them together in the single image with the software.

Remember, photo greeting cards should not be limited to Christmas. They can also be used year-round for special events, such as birthdays, invitations and thank-you notes.