Just Keep Clicking
Holiday cards are some serious pressure. Especially, I think, because I kind of hated the ones we sent last year. Hated the picture, design was meh. I was determined to do better this year. Which, of course, means that the photography gods have not been smiling on me recently.
Oh, sure, I’ve got some cute pictures from October that will certainly work. But I also have this mental block about wanting them to be as recent as possible, even though the kids don’t change in appearance month-to-month they way they did as infants.
And the last few weeks have been, to say the least, rough. Fewer daylight hours for nice outdoor shots. Lots of cold and rain. A week of visitors and holidays throwing us off our normal routine. Six hellacious days of (suspected) H1N1 for Rebecca. OMFG the tantrums. Yesterday, I think the two of them made a pact before I got them out of bed that at least one of them would be screaming at all times. Thank god M came home early from work, because I was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown.
Anyways, all that adds up to a notable lack of good photos. Sunday night, I made a declaration: I had until Wednesday afternoon to either take some new pictures or just order cards with the October pictures in them. So I carried my camera to our various outings this week. Indoor activities, flourescent lighting, and never-ending runny noses and tantrums seemed to indicate it just wasn’t going to happen. Nothing holiday-card-worthy.
And then, just before lunch today, the hazy sun was out and it was warm enough to play outside. The fates aligned. The tantrums paused. I pulled out the camera and just kept clicking. That’s the joy of digital photography, is it not? Just keep on clicking. Doesn’t matter if 95 out of 100 shots are crap. The more you take, the more likely you are to get the one. (If you need tips, Sarah posted some great ones on HDYDI the other day.)
And so, before I click “confirm order” on this year’s batch of cards, here’s a few that, adorable though they are, did not make the final cut.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
If those didn’t make the cut, I can’t wait to see the ones that did! I feel the same way, especially about using a recent photo, since we have a little one this year. So I vowed that we would have my mom take some pics on Thankgiving and we would use one. I ordered them online and they just arrived today. Nothing out-of-this-world, but good enough. I’m still kind of in the frame of mind that I like the whole family, adults included, to be in the picture. It would be so much easier if I didn’t though….
Tara´s last blog ..Emilia Turns Three (and other November Highlights)
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Are you back to using the 50 mm lens? The sharpness is nice in these! (and also the shots)
If you change to RAW, you can shoot in fluorescent lighting then change the white balance to correct. hee hee
LauraC´s last blog ..Our longest running stroke of genius
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
PS. I hate my Tiny Print cards this year .I NEVER do this but I contacted customer service to complain. They switched to a more eco-friendly paper this year and it looks like something I could print at home. I paid the extra $ for the shiny cards and they just aren’t making them! VERY SAD!
LauraC´s last blog ..Our longest running stroke of genius
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
YOWZA! Those DIDN’T make the cut? Amazingly cute your card subjects are…and quite the photog their mama is. Happy Holidays Sweet Goddess!
(and thank you for your kind words of support…we are hangin’ in!)
Cheryl´s last blog ..Way Back When-esday: Beach Babies
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
The ones that didn’t make the cut are super cute. I think I have officially given up on my girls cooperating and I will move on to Plan B.
Sarah´s last blog ..What a busy, busy weekend
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
they look so adorable!!
We are doing our pictures this weekend – I’ve got mhy fingers crossed for some good shots!
Nicole´s last blog ..Month in Review
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm
These are super cute, can’t wait to see the ones that made the card!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Those are some great shots. If they didn’t make the cut the ones that did must be perfect!
Amy´s last blog ..Conference
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Those are some great shots! The ones that did make the cut must be absolutely amazing!
reanbean´s last blog ..Beautiful Blustery Day