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Print Locket Photos From Phone

Jewellery is a go-to gift — it’s something special, thoughtful and you can choose the perfect piece to suit the style of those close to you. The joy of a locket necklace is that it adds that unique and personal touch. It’s a timeless and classic piece of jewellery, which holds tiny yet special locket photos of loved ones and allows the wearer to carry their nearest and dearest with them wherever they go. In this article we’ll show you how to print locket necklace photos.

Heart Shaped Locket PhotosOval shaped locket with photos
Locket’s come in gold and silver and many shapes and sizes, from heart shaped lockets to round, faceted and oval lockets. Because they’re often given as gifts to mark special occasions like births, weddings or milestone anniversaries they can hold a lot of sentimental value. However, you don’t need a special occasion to gift someone (or yourself!) a beautiful locket. And these days you’re not constrained to choosing from the simple, classic shapes that lockets are known for – there are many different options for finishes, metals and designs.

The trickiest bit, however, is getting the right size locket photos printed. And that’s where PostSnap comes in because we specialise in locket photo printing. Our locket photos offer you perfectly sized little locket pictures ready to insert into your pendant. The days of having to cut up your 6×4 prints and find a face small enough to fit your locket are well and truly over.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about locket photographs, from selecting, measuring and trimming your locket sized photos to the optimum size and shape to printing your photos direct from a phone and then fitting them into your new pendant locket.

Photo for locket
Step 1: Choosing the right photo for your locket

Lockets are unique pieces of jewellery that people hold close to their hearts, so the photo you choose to go inside it will hold special memories and meaning. In our experience people often choose to use a sentimental photo of family, friends or even a beloved pet. Take your time to choose the perfect photos for lockets and keep in mind that you may need to crop your photo to optimise it for your photo locket.

Here are some tips on how to narrow your options down:

  1. Choose a photo that is not too busy or detailed – the easier it is to isolate your person’s face in the image the better. Plus, any tiny bits of detail will be lost in a very small photo so don’t worry too much about that.
  2. Make sure the photo is not too dark – well-lit photos are the ones we’re looking for!
  3. Don’t forget to consider the impact of the shape of the locket on your picture. For example, if your pendant is a heart shaped, your photo print will have the inverted point at the top of the heart and right in the middle of it. Plus, remember that what works well in a heart shaped locket, may not work as well in a round or oval shaped locket.
  4. Confirm that the image will still be recognisable in a small locket. Locket pictures are usually of loved one’s faces – choose an image that has been shot quite close up, rather than from a distance, so all their features are defined and visible. 
  5. Bear in mind that head shots with some background are a great choice. If there are two people in the shot, make sure their heads are close together. Because locket pictures are so small, it’s best to avoid large group photos — save the big family photos for a large photo print or a personalised photo card.
  6. Remember that as with any photo, the better the quality of the image, the better it will look when printed. High resolution images work best, but most smartphones provide enough megapixels to capture the ideal resolution, even for printing mini locket sized photo prints.
  7. Don’t have any important parts of your photo near the edge of the photo as these may be cut off when you trim your photo to fit the locket photo area.
  8. For lockets which hold photos in both sides, you can choose two images. You may decide to select two separate photos, or crop and split subjects from one shot. 

Make sure that after cropping the image you’ve chosen has the subject in the centre and enough background around the face or faces, so that it’s the background, not the subject, that gets lost if the photo needs to be trimmed.

Step 2: Measuring your locket for the right locket sized photos

You are probably asking yourself what size are locket photos? The truth is there is no standard size because each locket is different. Lockets are manufactured in different materials, in a range of shapes and to different sizes. However, most lockets will have space for at least one small locket picture, and generally two and getting the size of the actual photo print right is important. The majority of locket pictures require photos of around 15 to 25mm x 15 to 25mm (1.5 to 2.5cm x 1.5 to 2.5cm) but not all jewellery pieces are the same and so it’s important to measure the locket template or locket itself accurately.

With PostSnap’s locket photo creator you need to enter the maximum dimensions of the photo area of your locket in order to generate a square or rectangular photo to roughly fit the size of your locket and which you then trim to final size and shape when the printed photo arrives in the mail. Our photo prints are designed to fit virtually any size of locket or pendant.

Some lockets are supplied with a little paper template inside and this makes it easy to measure the two dimensions and trim your photo to share but if you don’t have one don’t worry as you can measure the locket itself to get the two dimensions and you can also create your own locket template to assist in trimming your photo to shape later. 

To get the measurements for your locket photo print if you have a template, lay the paper template supplied with your locket on a flat surface and using a ruler measure the widest and highest points in millimetresTip: A typical photo for a locket measures around 20mm +/- 5mm at its widest and highest point. These are the two measurements you need to input when you order your locket prints online. 

Enter locket photo measurements into PostSnap
Enter your measurements in millimetres and order your locket photo prints straight from your phone, tablet, or PC. If you have measured your template in centimetres or inches you will need to convert your measurements to millimetres before entering the dimensions into the locket prints page of the PostSnap website. Remember that 1 centimetre = 10 millimetres and 1 inch = just over 25 millimetres.

Once you have recorded the relevant width and height measurements put your template aside to use again when your pendant photos are delivered.

If you don’t have a template supplied with your locket, you’ll need to make your own. This is relatively easy and involves measuring the width and height of the locket photo area and adding half the width of the rim if it has one. If the locket doesn’t have a rim simply measure the widest and highest parts of the photo area of the locket. Keep in mind that if you measure the widest and highest part of the locket itself (rather than the photo area) you will need to trim off more of the photo print so that it fits the photo area.

Therefore, to create your locket template open the locket clasp and lay the open locket on a flat surface and measure the widest and highest points of the photo area and add half the width of the rim on each side from the two dimensions (for the typical locket you generally add 2mm to each dimension for the rim (2 x 1mm on each side). Tip: The rim runs all around each side of the locket and is usually around 2mm thick.

These are also the measurements you need to input when you order your locket print online. You can enter your measurements in centimetres or inches and order straight from your phone, tablet, or PC.

Now create your locket template using the two dimensions. We first create a square or rectangular shape using graph paper to help ensure the drawing is accurate and to assist with sketching the locket shape afterwards. Having used your measured dimensions to draw a square or rectangle on the graph paper using a good quality sharp pencil. Once complete put the graph paper to one side whilst you stetch out the shape of your locket using tracing paper. 

Heart shaped locket measurements
Place a small piece of tracing paper over one side of your open locket and carefully sketch around the shape of the rim or photo area if it doesn’t have a rim. You should now have a heart, oval, circular, rectangular or square shape dependent upon the shape of your locket which needs to be transposed on to the graph paper within your square or rectangular box. To do this turn the tracing paper over and put your sketched shape within the box. It may help to tape the tracing paper to the graph paper to hold it in place. Trace over your heart shape for example to leave the heart shape within your box. 

Using a pair of sharp, curved nail scissors cut out the template and put it to one side until your locket picture prints arrive.

What you’ll need: 

Step 3: Printing locket photos from your phone

Enter locket photo measurements into PostSnapLocket photo uploaded to PostSnapPhoto cropped to fit locket necklaceLocket photo preview on iPhoneLocket Photo Tiled

Now you have your locket template and the width and height measurements required to create your locket photo prints we get down to the business of printing your chosen picture(s) as square or rectangular shapes. At PostSnap we’ve made it as easy as possible to print locket photos for which fit your pendant. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to Locket Photos – this is where you’ll find everything you need for getting those locket photos printed.
2. Hit ‘Get Started’ and input the width and height dimensions you measured. Remember to take into account trimming the edges once it’s been printed, and double check you’ve got the right unit of measurements – millimetres. You don’t want to print in inches when you really meant millimetres!
3. Choose whether you want your pictures printed in full colour or black and white, and with a gloss or matte finish (tip: matte usually works better in lockets).
4. Upload your photo!
5. Once the photo is uploaded, you’ll be able to move the red crop box to make sure you are getting the right crop for your locket. You’ll also be able to see a preview of your image below.
6. This step is important so don’t skip it! Make sure you flick the ‘Tiling’ toggle on. This multiplies your image across the print so that you have lots of copies of your cropped photo to experiment with sizing and trimming when it comes to actually fitting the picture into the necklace.
7. Approve your print and check out. 

Locket photos

Remember that PostSnap prints square and rectangular shaped photos and so you will need to trim your photo print to its final shape and size when it arrives.

Step 4: Trimming and fitting your locket photo prints to fit your pendant

Once your prints have arrived, all that’s left to do is trim them and pop them in your picture locket. This is where your little template comes into its own.

locket photo templatelocket photo template 2

locket sketch using tracing paperlocket heart tracing
Place your template over on of your tiled photos and trace around it with a pencil to get a faint but exact trim line. (Tip: using curved nail scissors or really sharp embroidery scissors will get nice clean edges if you are creating a curved shape such as a heart, oval or circle). Remember to trim evenly from all sides so that the subject remains central. Don’t worry if it takes a few tries to get the size right, this is exactly why we recommend tiling your print – so you’ve got lots of backup photos. 

heart shaped locket with photo
Once you have cut out your photo print Insert the little locket photo print into your locket and press gently around the rim at the edges using a pointed or slanted tweezers until it fits underneath the lip of the locket. The rim should hold the photo in place but if it doesn’t or your locket doesn’t have a rim you can add a small blob of glue to the back of the print before you inset it into the locket.

If there are any folds or creases, or the shaped photo print is too large, you should carefully retrim small slivers off the edges of the print until it fits smoothly.

What you’ll need:

Other creative ideas for locket sized photos

Miniature photos can have other uses, too. 

Why not throw a few in with your Christmas cards to give family and friends a visual update on your year? 

If you’re giving jewellery as a gift, you could place a tiny photo inside the box to add that extra personal touch. 

Or simply carry a selection with you in your purse or wallet. 

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Large Photo Prints Framed

Modern technology means we are all capturing memories with professional quality photos to be proud of, but many of those stunning shots stay hidden in your smartphone. Bring them to life and print your photos directly from your phone so you can display them in the perfect photo frame.

MAKING SENCE OF PHOTO PRINT SIZES

Photo prints are one of few things where imperial measurements in inches still prevail, but don’t let that confuse you. It’s easy to convert to metric sizes if you need to — when choosing the right photo frame size for example.

Large portrait or landscape print sizes

8×6 inches = 20.3×15.2cm (Landscape)
6×8 inches = 20.3×15.2cm (Portrait)
10×8 inches = 25.4×20.3cm (Landscape)
8×10 inches = 25.4×20.3cm (Portrait)
12×8 inches = 30.48×20.3cm (Landscape)
8×12 inches = 30.48×20.3cm (Portrait)
A4 = 21×29.7cm (Landscape or portrait)
16×12 inches = 40.64×20.3cm (Landscape)
12×16 inches = 20.3×40.64cm (Portrait)

Large square print sizes

8×8 inches = 20.3×20.3cm
10×10 inches = 25.4×25.4cm
12×12 inches = 30.48×30.48cm
16×16 inches =40.64×40.64cm

It’s worth knowing that large photo prints are trimmed after they’ve been printed. The area which may be trimmed off is around the edge the print and is known as the bleed area. The bleed area typically comprises 2-3mm around the edge of the photo print and it’s advised not to have any important part of the photo within this bleed area as this may be lost in the final trimming.

MATT OR GLOSS FINSH FOR LARGE PHOTO PRINTS?

Whether you choose a matt or gloss finish for your photo prints largely comes down to personal taste, but for a seamless, professional look, there are a few things worth considering before you decide, particularly for large framed photo prints.

Gloss finish

Gloss prints have a shiny finish. This can be a real asset to a colourful, high-resolution photo as it highlights the contrasting tones, adding a rich vibrancy that will make the colours “pop”. Because gloss photo paper has a smooth surface, it gives photos a crisp, sharp, modern finish.

The drawbacks of gloss prints are that they are susceptible to fingerprints and they reflect light. This could attract glare if the print is positioned in a room with lots of light — even more so if the photo is in a glass frame. In addition, gloss photos tend to be tackier and so may stick to the surface of the glass in a frame making it appear like there is a defect in the photo.

Matt finish

A matt surface is generally the professional’s choice. A matt finish scatters rather than reflects light, minimising shine and glare. This makes the prints more versatile — they look good in any amount of light and are easier to view in frames. However, with a matt finish the colour may appear a little duller. Matt photo prints don’t have the same striking depth of colour or sharpened edges that gloss prints do.

The bottom line is that when it comes to big, framed prints with a large surface area, a matt finish probably carries less risk. If you do choose gloss, select a frame with an anti-reflective acrylic panel as these reflect less light and reduce glare.

THE BENEFIT OF A MOUNT

A mount, also known as a mat, is a piece of card that acts as a border around a picture. Just as a well laid-out website has plenty of ‘white space’, the quality, style and viewability of a framed picture is enhanced by mounted photo prints.

As well as looking contemporary and being aesthetically pleasing, a photo mount also serves the more practical purpose of stopping the print from sticking to the glass in a frame, which can happen when the emulsion in the photo reacts to water in the air, or if a framed photo is in direct sunlight.
Before you commit to a frame, check the size of the mount aperture corresponds with the size of your print.

HOW TO FRAME LARGE PHOTO PRINTS

Getting it right when framing your beautiful print can feel daunting, but you can easily achieve a professional look. Here are our photo lab manager’s photo framing tips:Choose the right frame for your large photo prints

To get an initial idea of what sort of frame you want, consider the style and tone of the photo you’re framing and the décor of the house or room you plan to put it in.
Then, unless you’re buying a bespoke frame, start your search with the size of your photo. From there you can weigh up your options when it comes to the frame material (metal, plastic, or wood), colour, width, depth and whether you want a mount.

Black and white photos often benefit from the simplicity of a narrow metal frame, while the vibrancy of a colour photo can be drawn out by choosing a coloured frame to match a prominent colour from the photo itself. Wooden frames can work with traditional photos, or in a home that boasts a rustic or farmhouse style decor.

For great value, stylish frames, The Range, Dunelm and Ikea stock a fabulous selection of landscape, portrait and square photo frames in a variety of photo frame sizes, colours and materials.

Consider the photo itself

One of the most important aspects to consider before framing your print is the impact of the picture frame itself on your photo. The depth of photo frames varies considerably and as your photo will generally sit behind the frame you should ensure that there are no important parts of the photo near the edge as this may be covered by the frame. Similarly, a small part of the photo will sit behind a mount if this option is chosen.

Prepare, adjust, fix

Find a large, flat, clean surface. You’ll also need some tape — framer’s tape, masking tape, washi tape or Sellotape will all do. Before you open the back of the photo frame, make sure the print is ready — minimising the time the cover is open reduces the chance of dust getting onto it. Take out or spin the metal clasps on the back of the frame to release the backing board, then clean the glass or acrylic panel with a microfibre cloth to remove any smudges or dust.

Place the mount on the table face down and lay your print over the aperture, also face down. Use tape the on the back of the print to secure it in place. Hold up your print to check it’s aligned with the frame or mount and adjust it until it’s centred and straight.

Once you’re happy, secure the print onto the frame or mount with longer strips of tape, making sure they’re nice and smooth. Place the mount if used in the frame, drop the backing board on top and fasten the clips.

THE BEST FRAMED PHOTO PRINTS

We all have our favourite photos we want to enlarge and frame but the most popular framed photo prints generally feature wedding photos, travel photos and photos of the children. Framed wedding photos hung on all wall are a timeless classic which adorn almost every family home and have pride of place decade after decade and are passed on from generation to generation.

WHERE TO HANG A LARGE PHOTO FRAME

Extra-large framed photo prints or framed panoramic photo prints look striking as a single showpiece taking centre stage on a wall or as a complimentary group of frames on a landing. But you can also put large prints in a multiple photo frame, or use them to create a gallery wall or photo frame collage, with prints of all your family and friends. You can arrange these in an abstract way or in a more orderly grid. To map out your arrangement, use paper templates.

When deciding where to hang or place your framed photos, be mindful of direct sunlight as this can create glare or cause the print to fade. South facing walls and windowsills may be best avoided.
You can bring your memories to life by enlarging, printing and framing photos directly from your phone. For your own home or as a gift, printed photos always provide that personal, meaningful touch. Order your perfect, high quality photo prints from PostSnap today!

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Christmas Letter

This year, send personalised Christmas cards with some extra thoughtful touches.

In recent times we’ve all had to get used to seeing less of our loved ones but there’s no doubt that they’ve been in our thoughts. Christmas is a time to reach out and show friends and family we care, and Christmas cards are a brilliant way to do it.

But how can you make sure your Christmas cards are thoughtful, personal and don’t just feel like another chore on your to-do list? Here are our secrets to making Christmas cards mean something, both for you and for those you want to connect with this Christmas.

Personalise your cards with stunning family photos

It’s wonderful to receive any sort of Christmas card, but the ones that really make us feel loved are the cards that are personal and unique.

Personalised Christmas cards with family photos are the perfect window for your loved ones to feel part of your life. Whether you choose a single family photo or a collage of photos to introduce a new addition to the family, send out a big family smile or simply show off your Christmas jumpers, a photo Christmas card means more.

Traditional Christmas cards have a shelf life — people enjoy them in their homes for the festive period but then recycle them or worse, they end up in landfill. However, photo upload cards offer so much more and have longevity because they won’t fade and can be kept and framed, meaning you can reuse your card after the festive season and do your bit for the environment.

It’s super easy to customise and order photo Christmas cards online, choosing single or multiple photos and a template that suits you and your family.

Whether you go for a selection of your favourite photos from throughout the year or capture the moment with a specially taken family photo you can be sure it will mean the world when it smiles out of its envelope.

Personalised Christmas Card With Family Photos

Pop in a personal letter to go with your Christmas card

Family and friends can be spread across the globe. While some may have had a glimpse of your world on social media, they will relish the gift of real insight into what’s been happening in your life.

So, take the time to write a personal Christmas newsletter to give a meaningful update on your year. Not sure where to start? Here are our top tips:

  • Be yourself — it’s you people want to hear from, so be authentic and write in your own voice — imagine you’re talking to them. Write about important events that have happened in your life this year and don’t be afraid to say how you feel about them.
  • Keep your reader in mind — if you’re including your letter in every Christmas card, bear in mind you may need to adjust its content depending on where it’s going. Your work colleague, great aunt, and best friend from university may not all need to hear the same spin.
  • Keep it short and easy to read — we live in a time where people are used to scanning short text on screens. So, a letter will be a particularly thoughtful touch, but keep it to no more than one page and write in short paragraphs. If possible, type it — this makes it easier to read and quicker for you to edit and re-produce.
  • Get the family involved — if your letter is from the whole family, get them all to contribute. Perhaps the kids can write or suggest a paragraph each or simply sign their own names.
  • Try a different format — for a change from the traditional Christmas letter template, why not try a different format? You could write a ‘Top 10’ or a ‘Highlights’ list to sum up your year.
  • Include an anecdote — if you’d rather avoid a list of events, instead focus on a funny story, or tell an interesting tale of something memorable that’s happened in your family’s year.

Christmas Letter

Slip in a mini photo as a thoughtful extra

We take more photos than any generation before us, but so often these visual gems get lost in our digital pockets. Christmas is the ideal time to bring photos to life and give them a real home.

You can print little, fun-sized mini photo prints directly from Instagram and Facebook, and pop them in with your Christmas cards.

Just the right size to slip into a Christmas card, friends and family will also love receiving Polaroid style mini retro prints . Turn a cute photo into a warm piece of nostalgia personalised with a short message and even emoji’s. It will be a great little memento – just perfect for grandma’s purse or displaying on the fridge door.

Photo Insert For Christmas Cards

Write a meaningful message

While a personal letter tucked into your Christmas card goes a long way for family and close friends, your child’s teacher, your boss, or your next-door neighbour may not need the complete family run-down.

But it’s still important to write a thoughtful message that makes those people feel valued. A personalised Christmas card can be an opportunity to say thank you to someone who’s gone that extra mile over the course of the year, who has helped you or has simply been a good friend.

When writing your message, think about who the card is for and what they mean to you — Christmas is a great time to share gratitude, memories, and let people know they’re important to you. If you’re struggling find the words, find a thoughtful quote instead.

For a memorable moment that was caught on camera — that hilarious work-do, your child’s big moment in the school play or old friends getting together.

Start now!

Christmas has a habit of creeping up on us, but it’s no fun rushing around trying to organise things at the last minute. If you really want to give your loved ones the meaningful cards and gifts they deserve (and save yourself a whole lot of pre-Christmas stress) give yourself plenty of time to plan, order and post those festive thoughts.

Feeling inspired? Bring your year to the hearts of your family and friends and give them something memorable and meaningful this Christmas. Order your photo Christmas cards and unique mini photo prints today!

 

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Dog photos: Tips for taking great pet portraits with your iPhone

Pets make some of the cutest (and funniest) photo subjects, but we know that photographing your four-legged friend isn’t always easy! That’s why we’ve put together our top tips for capturing dog photos on your phone.

 

1. Think about your location

Simple backgrounds work best when capturing photos of dogs. If you’re looking to take pet portraits in the great outdoors then a backdrop of a white sandy beach or green trees will work well.

Remember to pay attention to colour, you want your dog to stand out. For example, a chocolate Labrador will blend into a background of brown tree trunks, you want to choose a backdrop which will provide contrasting colours.

 

Cute dog photos - young child and her dog

2. Get down to their level

To get the best dog photos, it’s important they feel at ease. So instead of standing over them, take a knee, sit on the floor, lie on your belly, or do whatever you need to get eye-to-eye with your dog.

Not only will this help your pet to feel more comfortable, it will allow you to capture dog photos from their view of the world.

 

3. Add some props to your dog photos

There’s no doubt about it, props add a real personal touch to your images. If you’re looking to create cute dog photos, try taking a picture of them sitting in your arm chair (if they are allowed on the furniture of course), snuggled up in their bed, or with their favourite soft toy.

Adding a prop, or costume can also be an easy way to capture funny dog photos, so if you are looking for that laugh out loud factor try searching sites such as Pinterest for the best prop and costume ideas. A couple of our favourites, a pair of sunglasses or for that special birthday dog photo, try a party hat.

 

Funny dog photos

4. Time your dog photos just right

If you are looking to capture more formal-looking pet portraits then choose a time when your dog is a little sleepy. Getting a crisp, sharp shot is much easier when they are a little less active and on-the-go!

Equally, if you want some real action shots to show off their playful nature, then choose the time of day when they get that sudden burst of energy!

 

5. Getting their attention

The beauty of using your iPhone means you don’t need to have your own eye down a lens, so you can get the dog to engage with you. Or if you have an assistant, even better! Get them to engage with your dog whilst you concentrate on getting the shot!

When it comes to getting their attention, you will know what works best for your dog. From calling their name, making a sound they respond to, using their favourite toy or providing treats. Be sure to keep rewarding your pup between shots!

 

Dog photos close up

6. Get creative with close ups

For the ultimate cute dog photos, be sure to capture those close-ups. Try getting up close so your dog fills the entire frame, or snap a head shot which shows off their profile.

Feeling extra creative? Get even closer to highlight your favourite part of your dog, from their gorgeous black, wet nose to those small but perfect formed paws! Try experimenting with angles too, front on, from above at 45 degree angles.

 

7. Think about lighting

Most amateur photographers do best with warm, natural sunlight, so that means shooting in the mornings or evenings, on slightly overcast days, or in the shade if it’s a really sunny day.

If you’re taking photos of dogs indoors, you will want to choose a room which gets lots of natural light. You won’t want to be using a flash as this could startle your pet so opt for the room with the largest window!

Cute photos of dogs

8. Capture dog photos which are full of character

You know your dog best and their funny little quirks and traits are what you love so much – so make sure to capture them.

Perhaps you have a smiling Spaniel or a French Bulldog who will snooze in the strangest positions? Think about what makes your pet so special, and then when the opportunity arises, grab your iPhone and get snapping. Guaranteed to result in some hilarious and rather cute dog photos.

 

Put all of these tips into action and you’ll have a phone full of gorgeous pet portraits! With PostSnap you can take your pictures from your phone to real photo prints in a matter of minutes, so you can fill your home and albums with your favourite dog photos.

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School photos

The start of each school term marks yet another milestone in your little one’s childhood. Capturing these memories with our phones has become part of the back-to-school routine, being able to share these special moments with friends and family in photo form. We have put together our favourite ideas, inspiration and tips for capturing these school photos perfectly.

 

1. Be prepared

We all know how manic a morning routine can be, so it’s important to take some simple steps to ensure you have enough time for your school photoshoot. A lot of this will come from preparation the night before, have the lunchbox packed, the uniform ironed and make sure you have both agreed on the school photos hairstyles! Of course, getting up a little earlier will help too.

 

School photoshoot - boy sat on school steps

2. Choose your location

Taking back to school photos in front of your front door has become a firm family favourite. A door provides a clean and simple backdrop, you can also try a location in front of a brick wall for a similar, simple yet polished effect.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different try taking your photos at school itself. In front of the school gate, by your child’s peg, on school steps or with their class teacher.

 

3. Think about props

Adding props to your photoshoot can provide a lovely pop of colour as well as add a personal touch. Need some ideas on the types of props? There are lots of things around the house you can use such an apple, your child’s rucksack or lunchbox, their favourite book or a chalk board.

Props can add a real sense of fun to your images and if your little one suddenly gets camera shy; they make a great distraction. Ask them to interact with the props whilst you snap away!

 

Back to school photo - brother and sister walking to school

4. How to get candid school photos

If you’re a fan of natural, documentary style portraits, there are some simple ways to create gorgeous candid shots.

Take pictures of them whilst they get ready – brushing their hair, pulling up their socks, doing up their buttons or buckling their shoes. All of these finishing touches make perfect moments for capturing back to school photos.

The journey to school also provides ample opportunities for beautiful photos. Take your phone or camera on your walk to school to capture some great moments, holding their siblings’ hand, the moment they start skipping out ahead, carrying their schoolbag.

 

5. Get the end of term school photo too!

Our little one’s grow up so much between the first and last day of each school year. Capture school photos on both the first and last day of term so you can compare side by side. We recommend taking these shots in the same location each time, that way you really can see how much they’ve grown!

 

Secondary school photos

6. Capture school year photos

Taking back to school photos shouldn’t stop with infant school photos, keep the tradition alive all the way through to capturing secondary school photos.

From photos featuring gap toothed smiles, through to those tricky teenage years questioning the choice of hair for school photos! It may require some serious encouragement (and perhaps bribery), but you will both love looking back on your school year photos together for years to come.

 

7. Make more of your school photos

You’ve completed your photoshoot and your camera role is now full of school photo images – what now? With PostSnap you can take your pictures from your phone to real photo prints in a matter of minutes. Whether it’s prints for a year book album or photos to fill the frames in your home, get school photos online with PostSnap.

 

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Baby photos

Welcoming a new baby is a joyous occasion for your family. Those first few weeks, months and years are full of so many precious moments you want to capture for a lifetime. A baby photoshoot is the perfect way to document all those treasured memories for you to enjoy again and again. When it comes to capturing baby photos, you can choose to hire a professional for a baby photoshoot, or you can opt to capture those moments yourself. Here we take you through our top tips for achieving your own baby photoshoot at home.

 

1. Prepare your baby photo ideas

Before you get started, it’s good to have some shots in mind, so you know the end goal you want to achieve. If you’re not sure about the types of baby photos you are after, no problem, sites such as Pinterest or Instagram are full of baby photo ideas. Try searching for types of photos such as baby photos newborn, baby photos funny or baby photos boys. You can then put together a shortlist of your favourite baby photoshoot ideas.

 

Newborn baby photos

2. Capture newborn baby photos in the first two weeks

Timing is everything! If you’re looking for images capturing the true newborn stage, with the classic wrinkly newborn skin, then aim for the first two weeks. Babies are typically sleepier at this stage too, so try and time your baby photoshoot around nap time. This will help you to feel more relaxed and with a less wriggly baby it will be easier to capture your baby photos.

After two weeks your baby will be more alert, and so potentially fussy, however if you are looking to get baby photos with more eye contact and capture more of your little one’s personality, then we would suggest waiting until they are a couple of months old.

 

3. Time the light right

When capturing baby photos at home, you should think about when and where gets the most natural light. A north-facing window lets in indirect sunshine that’s not too harsh or glaring, as long as you have daylight, you can use this location at any time of day. You can get similar results by taking your baby photos at the right time of day, for a west-facing window that’s in the morning or an east-facing window in the afternoon.

If you want to take the shoot outside, time it for golden hour. That is the first hour after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset. These times provide optimum shooting conditions for your baby photos, the light is softer and warmer and shadows are longer.

 

Baby photo props

4. Use some baby photo props

Adding a few props to your baby photoshoot can give both a professional and personal feel. Need some ideas on the types of props for baby photos? There are lots of things around the house you can use such as a moses basket, a snuggly blanket or swaddle cloth, sheepskin rugs or their favourite cuddly toy.

If you want to inject some colour and fun into your baby photos, how about adding a colourful head band, or seasonal props such as Christmas stockings or a pumpkin. Another option is to find an adorable costume, a quick google search of baby photos boys or baby photos girl will provide plenty of costume inspiration.

 

5. Safety first

It goes without saying, safety of your newborn always comes first. Here are a few things to consider when undertaking your baby photoshoot at home. Ensure any props are sturdy and well-built. If you’re shooting from above, ensure you use the camera neck strap or a holder if shooting using a phone, just in case the device slips from your hands.

Babies comfort is also key, this will keep both you and baby relaxed and calm to get the most from your baby photoshoot. Ensure to choose props which won’t irritate delicate newborn skin, use a blanket or swaddle layer between baby and any props, just ensure they are washed in unscented detergent. Warm babies are happy babies, keep the room at an optimum temperature.

6. Get baby photos with the siblings

Baby photos with their older brothers and sisters are always a family favourite. To achieve natural shots it’s best to give their siblings a role. For example, you could ask them to read to their baby brother or sister. If they are a little younger, ask them questions to get them involved, for example can you touch babies’ nose? This will result in more candid shots whilst keeping the older ones occupied and interested – win win!

 

7. Do your baby photoshoot in stages

Unlike when you hire a professional photographer, a baby photoshoot at home provides the gift of time. Instead of trying to pack all the shots in a couple of hours (between feeds and changing), you can choose to take a few shots at a time over the course of a few days.

This is where your preparation really comes into its own. Be sure to have your shortlist of favourite baby photoshoot ideas to hand so you can tick them off as you go!

There are so many milestones in your babies first twelve months, opting for a baby photoshoot at home allows you to capture your baby’s growth and adventures! Try taking a picture of your little one in the same location or with the same prop once a month. This makes perfect baby photo prints for a baby photo album, scrap book or to share with family and friends.

 

Baby photoshoot at home

8. Capture the tiny details

For guaranteed baby photos cute factor, be sure to capture the close-ups. Photos of their tiny toes, little fingers wrapped around one of yours and don’t forget those adorable baby rolls.

 

9. Showcase your baby photos

You’ve put all the tips into action and your baby photoshoot is complete, now it’s time to create treasured keepsakes! With PostSnap you can take your images from camera roll to real photo prints in a matter of minutes. Whether it’s prints for your baby photo album or photos to fill the frames on your gallery wall, we’re sure to have the baby photo format for you.

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How to write a postcard

Have you always wanted to send a postcard whilst on holiday but didn’t know how to write one? Well you’ve come to the right place, writing a postcard couldn’t be easier with our handy guide. 

Sending postcards to friends and family is a great way to show your loved ones just how much you care about them. Not only is it a sweet gesture but it is a fun way to share your adventures with your nearest and dearest. When it comes to how you’re going to send a postcard you have two options. You can either buy a postcard from a local shop or you can use your own photos to create your own unique photo postcard using an online postcard maker.

 

Postcard Format 

 

1. Choosing a postcard

One of the best things about sending a postcard is choosing the image on the front. This image will be the first thing your recipient sees so be sure to pick a postcard image that not only best represents your holiday but also an image you think your recipient would like best. 

Front Of Photo Postcard And Back Of Postcard With Message

 

2. Where to write on a postcard?

Greet your recipient on the back left hand side of a postcard but ensure you leave enough room below for a message. When writing postcards, the greeting is the perfect place to start off your message and make your recipient feel special and valued. If you’re aiming for a formal tone start your postcard with ‘Dear, (name)’. If you’re aiming for a more informal tone you could start your postcard with ‘Hello, Hi or Hey (name)’. 

Once you’ve chosen your postcard greetings, it’s now time to share holiday memories or your latest news with your recipient. Write your message on the back left hand side of the postcard just under the greeting. When it comes to writing a postcard the space is limited so your message needs to be short and sweet. Before putting pen to paper, plan what you are going to write to ensure you have enough space – there is nothing worse than running out of space in the middle of a sentence! If you’re stuck for ideas about what to write on a postcard, we run through 10 things to write on a postcard later on in this post.  

The next stage of postcard writing is signing off your postcard, so be sure to leave enough room as no postcard is complete without a heartfelt farewell to your loved ones. Choose to sign off your postcard with a ‘See you soon!, Wish you were here, Hugs from (destination)’ and be sure to include your name so your recipient knows who the postcard is from.

Back Of Postcard With Message

 

3. How to address a postcard

When it comes to addressing a postcard, write the recipient’s address on the right hand side. The standard postcard format has a vertical line down the middle, with a blank space to the left, and a lined space to the right. Write your recipient’s full name and address on the lined space to the right. Be sure to include the recipients full address including city/town, country and postcode.

Back Of PostCard with Postcard Address

 

4. Where to place a postcard stamp?

Place the stamp within the outlined box on the top right of the postcard (if purchasing a postcard from a local shop and not online). Whilst on holiday you can head to the post office, bank or petrol stations to purchase a stamp and if you’re wondering about postage rates, you can read our article, How much is a postcard stamp? Be sure that the stamp is only placed on the back of the postcard in the outlined box, anywhere else will increase the chances of the postcard getting lost.

 

What to write on a postcard – 10 ideas

Due to limited space on the back of a postcard it can often seem intimidating writing postcards.  Luckily, if you’re stuck for ideas, here are 10 things to write on a postcard:

  1. Share your favourite day of your trip – just come back from a boat cruise, city tour or water sports activity? Write a short description of your experience. 
  2. Say something personal – let your loved ones know how much you’re missing them. Beginning your postcard with a thought about the recipient will make them feel truly special. 
  3. Talk about the weather – has there been a day with especially interesting weather. Whether it rained, snowed or was a particularly beautiful day write a short summary to make your recipient feel closer to you.
  4. Share a local word or phrase with a translation – one of the best things about visiting a new country is getting to learn the basics of a new language so why not share your new favourite phrase. 
  5. Travel tips – what are the best must-sees around? Let your recipient know. 
  6. Fun fact about the location you’re visiting – have you learnt something interesting recently that your recipient would not know? 
  7. Explain the story behind your postcard photo – whether choosing a postcard locally or creating one online let your recipient know why the photo you’ve chosen best represents your trip. 
  8. Draw a picture that reflects your travels – don’t fancy writing, get artistic and draw a picture of your surroundings. 
  9. Share a new tradition that you’ve learned – have you attended a local festival and found a new tradition you think your recipient would love? 
  10. Write about the local food – just tried a local dish that you loved, describe the meal or even share the recipe.

Remember when writing a postcard the message on the back will be visible so be sure to not include any personal information. 

If you’re struggling to find a postcard in a local shop, why not try an online postcard maker. PostSnap’s postcard apps and online postcard maker turn your own photos into postcards in just a few minutes. PostSnap’s apps are easy to use and available on Android and iOS. PostSnap will print and mail 6 inch x 4 inch post cards worldwide from just £2.49 or $2.75 including postage.

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