Some children feel that they cannot make their cards because they lack art skills. Using photographs for greeting cards overcomes that fear.
Taking Photos for Card Use
Digital photos are a good choice for cards, especially with the help of a computer and printer. With a digital camera simple photos can be collected for card-making.
Photographs of faces, babies, and toddlers make fun photos, but may be more difficult than imagined. The photographer may snap a photo of a baby’s toes, a toddler’s face while he is eating, or a child playing with a favorite toy. Simple shots with as clear a background as possible are best.
Pictures taken of pretty or unique household items, a vase, a basket, a dish, antique items, piano keys, food items, fruit in a bowl, books, etc. are nice for women's cards.
More variety can be had by taking shots outside – flowers, plants, trees, children playing, sandbox or swing set, a child’s wagon, a wheelbarrow, mailbox, fence post, garden plot, clouds, laundry on a clothesline, water, flower pots, a sunset, a rainbow, birds, butterflies, etc.
Pets are a good choice, since almost everyone likes animal photos. A snapshot of kittens at play, the neighbor walking his dog, a bird (wild or caged), farm animals, or horses can be used on cards for children.
The card-maker should get some close-up shots of flower petals or sea shells, rocks or pieces of driftwood. He may look for some interesting shape or texture like the bark of a tree, sand, or stone.
Choosing Suitable Card Photos
The photographer next must download his photos or have his film processed. Photographs ones with strong single images and unbusy backgrounds work well. In most cases, excepting maybe a going-away card, group pictures are not a suitable choice.
Color is a must for an eye-catching card. A bright colored flower, fruit like a cut watermelon, blue water, green plants, bright clothes, or a smiling child’s face would do for get well cards, or "thinking of you." For birthdays, favorites are pictures of flowers, food, children. For mother’s day – flowers, hearts, or babies are suitable. For Father’s Day cards, a good image might be a boat, a lawn chair, a globe, boots, horses, food or textured items.
Digital photos gives amatuer photographers the ability to snap and save the perfect picture without extra processing expense. Several shots taken of an interesting subject from different angles assures the child of his best photo.
Cropping Photos for Greeting Cards
The next step is to crop or otherwise work the photo to get it the size needed. Most computers have a software program for manipulating and editing photos. Using editing software, pictures can be rotated and cut to the size wanted. Cropping cuts off busy background or blank portions of the photo. Editing can improve good photos and make them usable.
Copies can be printed off on white paper and trimmed carefully after measuring the card front and allowing for a border if preferred.
Glue will keep the photo in place on the front of the card. One option is scrapbooking two-sided stickers. These stick on the back of each photo and then to the card front. This is less messy and avoids the problems of glue harming a paper photo. Photo corners are a retro touch which are popular with card designers.
A fun option would be to use word stickers (found with scrapbooking stickers) to add a funny quip to a photo card. A cute saying or just the line of the appropriate greeting (Happy Birthday!, Merry Christmas, Get-well soon, etc) complete the card.
Finding Blank Cards with Envelopes
Blank cards can be purchased wherever craft supplies are sold. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Mardels, scrapbooking supply stores, Hobby Lobby, and other craft or stationery supply stores carry blank cards with envelopes.
They come in different colors and with envelopes to match. Usually, they are sold with stamping supplies, or art supplies. Cards should be selected with heavy paper and matching envelopes. These can be bought in bulk with different sizes and textures of paper. These are great to keep on hand ready for more cards.
Cards decorated with photographs a child has taken and selected himself add a personal touch and a unique creative aspect to sending greeting cards.
