“Make it” Monday: DIY Holiday Photo Shoot at Home

Happy “Make it” Monday! 

BEFORE

AFTER 

If you didn’t get a chance to send out any Holiday Greetings via snail mail, here is an easy DIY Holiday Photo Shoot you can do at home in 5 easy steps for last-minute digital Holiday Greetings to friends, family and/or colleagues.  You can also use these awesome photos to make gift tags or make photo gifts to Grandparents 🙂

Step 1:  Choose a Background 

If you have white cloth or bedsheets, they will work.  You can also use leftover or unused gift wrap.  My sister happened to use this backdrop for the candy bar she made at my baby shower.  I kept it as I knew it would be great for taking photos!

She bought it at Joann’s Fabric for $7.99 in the teachers’ section.  What a steal!

http://www.joann.com/busy-kids-learning-fadeless-designs-weathered-wood/10795243.html#q=background+paper&start=32 

Step 2:  Grab some Holiday Lights and/or Decor for the Background Props

I just used white icicle lights.  You can also add ornaments or other items as you like.  I opted for the all-white christmas lights instead of green wired ones to have them blend in better with the background.

Step 3:  Dress and Accessorize

Get that baby (or pet(s)) into some cute clothes & accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.  This is the fun part and try many looks so long as your baby will tolerate it.

Step 3:  Clear the Bed and Set the Scene

Be sure everything is off your bed except bedsheets and tape your backdrop to the wall above your bed frame.  Grab a fuzzy blanket or rug underneath baby to saturate the photo and make baby comfortable.  Lastly, plug in your lights and place them however you wish in the background.

Step 4:  Take the Photos!

All cameras will work, but if there are windows in the bedroom, let the sunshine in (if any) to have natural lighting.  Be sure to take the photos quickly, baby’s are unpredictable!

Step 5:  Edit, Save & Send (or Print!)

Check out your photos, crop as needed, save and send (or print!)

…AND VOILA!

Your family & friends will think you paid a pretty penny to get professional-looking holiday photos, but only you know that there were others that look like this….

…and this

…and this

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!