Become A Better Photographer By Sending Out Holiday Cards
Hear me out.
This is, perhaps weirdly, one of the strongest opinions I hold when it comes to photography, and the foundation of a priceless family tradition.
We’re about to head into a string of end-of-year festivities (here in the US anyway) which means it’s officially time to get your holiday on. It’s also the perfect opportunity to improve your photo skills.
Let me explain.
One of the biggest advantages that professional photographers have over us non-professionals (other than having sweet high-end gear) is that they are regularly out shooting photos for a purpose.
They’re not just capturing moments; they’re creating them. And something about that process of trying to execute an idea with photography gives them a little more valuable experience each time they try it, regardless of whether their idea works out.
A Photo Assignment
If you’re a non-professional photographer like me, you don’t naturally get those opportunities. We may snap a lot of photos, but without an end product in mind, there’s little risk or reward. And let’s be honest, most of the photos we shoot get lost in our phones or computers and never see the light of day.
That, dear reader, is where the holiday card comes in.
Think about it. Doing your own holiday card is the perfect photography kick in the pants:
- You’re the client; you can do whatever you want (but you have to do something).
- You have a deadline, so you can’t procrastinate!
- Sending your card to friends and family is a safe audience for your photography work.
- Afterward, you might wish you did some part differently, but this is how you learn and get better.
A Word About Printing
You gotta print it, right? You could email your card out, but that’s lame. Don’t do it. No one needs more email.
Here are your basic printing options:
- Use a local print shop: This is what I’ve done the last several years. It’s the most expensive of these options, but it’s also the fastest and I get to see a proof before it gets mass-printed.
- Use an online print service like Shutterfly, uPrinting, or a thousand other online printers that you can Google. The quality is great, and most have several easy options for turning your photos into a greeting card format. It’s inexpensive, but you have to wait for the mail. Be aware that many of these outfits add their logo somewhere on your product. Maybe that won’t bother you, but it’s a deal-breaker for me which is why I prefer print shops like uPrinting over cheaper photo printing alternatives like Shutterfly.
- Use your own home printer. I recommend this be your last option, as the pain-in-the-butt factor is pretty high. Plus, with the cost of ink, it’s more expensive than it seems and quality-wise could be a bit sketchy. Your $100 inkjet can’t compete with a commercial printer’s $25,000 printer.
For your inspiration
Here’s a collage of some of my cards from previous years that I hope will inspire you. These involved some heavy Photoshop work, but what they ALL have in common is good ol’ fashioned photography as their foundation.
Making my own holiday card has been a tradition in my family for the last 25 years, and each year I’ve picked up a new chestnut of photo knowledge. We learn best by doing, and this is a great way to “do” photography.
So get cracking! Good luck!
(And if you're reading this in July, invent your own card-sending occasion.)