February 10, 2011

An Angel of a Valentine

cupid

After Christmas, my husband was threatening that he was going to cut the baby's hair if I didn't do it. I didn't want to cut those golden curls off; however, I knew that he meant business... so I talked him in to waiting until I could get a good Valentine photo session in.

We got out the fake angel wings, the white Christmas lights, the felt heart, and a puffy white blanket... and set the little man on the dining room table. I haven't been able to afford a great lighting kit for head shots and indoor portraits yet - so we made use of some harsh window lighting the best we could. I'm all for natural light. I REFUSE to use a flash.

Have you ever tried to photograph a 22 month old that has more energy than the Energizer Bunny? It takes nerves of steel... LOTS of patience... and a bag of Skittles.

He wiggled.
He squirmed.
He tried to crawl off the table.
He cried.
He beat at the angel wings.
He screamed, "NO!"
He whined.
He broke the first heart I gave him to hold.
It was like trying to catch a fish with your bare hands.

But we got it done. Even if half of the pictures are ruined by the candy he was eating somehow contorting his face - or showing when he opened his mouth.

Valentine Cupid

Yep. Two of these pictures are Skittles shots. I'm such a bad mom for feeding my toddler hard candy.

After our torture photo session was over, THEN came the fun part... creating a Valentine card with Tiny Prints online. Tiny Prints is an online card and photo gift company. They even ship your cards for you if you chose that option. I had my postcards sent to me and we addressed and sent them off this week to our family and friends.  

I LOVED seeing my cupid shots on a Valentine. I feel totally on top of things to have actually SENT Valentine cards out - because I'm usually late at sending cards (and most everything else as well).





I promised to review my experience and the product that Tiny Prints provided, and here's what I liked:

- super easy card creation and personalization with just a few clicks
- very thorough options for every aspect of your print process so you get exactly what you are wanting
- love that you can use your own photos OR pick a pre-designed card if you don't have time to 'dabble' with designing your own
- the amazing and very large collection of designs
- the fact that they have a REAL LIVE production designer team to further customize and tweak your final product until it is exactly what you hoped for
- the final product is polished and high quality
- they'll ship your cards for you
- you can design a card and schedule it to ship up to a year in advance of the holiday or ocassion
- they have other products: stationary, notebooks, address labels, custom stamps, photo books, calendars and photo gifts
- I adore the personalized mint tins for baby showers or weddings that they offer



In fact, I liked my cards from Tiny Prints so much that I'm considering using them for my birth announcements for the peanut. That is, if I can ever get the newborn photo session done. I never did get around to doing it for my little Viking... so these Valentines are his debut through snail mail to the extended family and friends.

I just know they'll love the cards. But not as much as I love my little Valentine (even without those pretty curls).




Disclosure: Tiny Prints gave me free product to review but my opinion was not compensated for, nor was this post.

6 comments:

Weekend Cowgirl said...

What precious pictures... make your heart melt kind of photo.

Dawn Camp said...

These are so cute, and make me remember you sent me one for a desktop wallpaper! It seems I posted photos of (flat) you instead. :)

Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms said...

Great job on those photos, Heather! Congrats on your new little peanut too ;)

MommyLydia said...

I just got a Tinyprints valentine from friends whose little girl is 8 months old.

They are FABULOUS! (and 2 sided)

lindafay said...

Thanks for checking in on me awhile back. I'm still alive and well, tending cattle, chickens and children.

Your latest darling is precious!

I know I'm behind the times, but recently I discovered Picnik.com and have been having a ball with it.

Tamsyn said...

Wow. I have been sad that we haven't purchased professional shots of our kids, but these look great. Think outside of the box. Thank you for the inspiration!

 

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