There’s nothing better than receiving all of those New Orleans family photo holiday cards in the mail during the holiday season. It’s a visual reminder of another passing year and the gift of taking the time to be with your family. Plus you get to tell your family and friends that they are part of your community. So where are the best places to order your photo holiday cards? Here are a few favorite online labs that excel in modern design and originality and are usually great at customer service and prompt delivery.
How to pick the best holiday card with your photos can some times be daunting. Let’s start at the beginning.
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Which Comes First, the Photo or the Design?
Let’s start with your favorite photo, the one which speaks to you and your crazy family. And it doesn’t have to be one where everyone is looking at the camera. That picture can always be featured on the back. Once you find the right photo, start browsing for a holiday card that works. This is not always an easy task. Your favorite photo might not look great with words over someone’s face, or perhaps it needs to be in a vertical format instead of a horizontal one. Look around at the many card templates and card companies. Play with options and find the right one for your photo.
Don’t be afraid to use a candid photo! So many families mention the many compliments they get on their holiday cards because it featured a photo of them laughing together or running at sunset. We often gravitate to the photo where everyone is smiling at the camera. But don’t be afraid to try something different that reminds you of the magic in your family, even if it’s less than a perfect pose.
Pick a Print Company that Creates Holiday Cards with Photos
This is a great time to order holiday cards online, there are wonderful print companies where all you have to do is upload your digital file, pick a template, personalize the text and press print. Your holiday cards will be delivered to your doorstep making this so easy. I’ve used several different companies to print my own holiday cards over the years, here are my favorite print labs for consumers that always deliver a great product!
Pinhole Press
This fun company creates wonderful gifts with your photos (the picture memory game is a big hit with kids) including a large selection of holiday cards on thick cardstock. www.pinholepress.com
Artifact Uprising
Modern designs, easy to use templates and lots of inspiration! www.artifactuprising.com
Etsy
If you have the ability to handle a little design work on your own and want to support an artist, Etsy is the best place to find the most original cards. Just search for “holiday card templates with photos” and start browsing! www.etsy.com
Mpix
Nothing compares to the service you get with Mpix. Most cards are designed and delivered quickly to your doorstep. And they have some lovely designs with foil! www.mpix.com
Minted
You can’t beat the volume of choices, both traditional and modern, at Minted. Plus you can get matching envelope liners. This is a great platform for independent artists who create modern and unique templates with great paper quality. Definitely worth the price. www.minted.com
Follow Your Instinct on Design
With custom photo cards, less can be more. I get it, you have a bunch of photos you want to highlight and all those cute closeups! But when you can pick one or two for a card. they will have more impact, especially since most holiday cards are no bigger than 5×7. Let your best photo shine. Go ahead and lean into the filters on your chosen lab’s website (such as 3 photos, Christmas themed) and find the template you are most attracted to.
If you do want to use several photos, pick a card with a square grid of photos for symmetry. Embrace the photo booth look and go with several different expressions, or think about using only black and white photos.
And don’t be afraid to add a little bling! Those foil cards sure are pretty.
Photographer’s tip: make sure to upload the high resolution digital image, not a copy, screenshot or web-sized version.
A Few Details in Planning your Holiday Cards
When is a good time to take pictures for your holiday card?
Book early is the rule for most photographers. The fall season can get a booked up fast and most families want to order their holiday cards by early December, so make sure you contact your New Orleans family photographer early in the season to get on their schedule for the best location and date. Mornings and late afternoons are usually best for that magical light. If you are interested in getting your photos done with a quick and easy photo session, check out my New Orleans Mini Sessions page for the latest mini session events and info.
What locations are good for family photos in New Orleans?
I’m so glad you asked, I have many favorites and if your kids are growing up in this city or you are just visiting New Orleans, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to gorgeous locations to photograph your family. Take a look at my guide for the Best Photo Locations in New Orleans here.
When should I order my custom holiday cards?
Most online photo lab companies give a pretty clear deadline and turn-around time, but when you research the best place for photo Christmas cards make sure you look at their print time as well as the shipping. Often printing time will be 2-3 days in addition to your shipping time, make sure you still have enough wiggle room or possibly add on next-day air. Rule of thumb for most of these labs is 10-14 days before it’s at your doorstep.
Is Glossy or Matte better for holiday cards with photos?
There are several types of finish for photos, but for the best holiday photo cards I would pick the matte option. It’s timeless and feels great in your hands. A good photo lab will increase the contrast and color to give you a vibrant final product wether it’s in glossy or matte, so there is no wrong choice here, but don’t be afraid to try something new in your photo finish option.
New Year Eve’s Cards are Perfect for Busy Families
Running behind? A Happy New Year Card is the new trend for busy parents who can’t quite check holiday cards off their to-do list earlier in the season.
Check out this fun list by Postable about the best time to send your cards!
The best choice for holiday cards are available at a quality online lab that is reliable, great at customer service, impressive and has new templates yearly. Whichever company you choose, these services help you create memorable holiday cards that will impress your family and friends and highlight those fabulous family photos!
The Best Places to Order your Photo Holiday Cards
As you plan your holiday season and get all those addresses ready, I hope these tips for the best place for photo Christmas cards and custom holiday cards with photos help you design a fun card that your family and friends will proudly display. And make sure to keep one extra for your self, they are great reminders of the years and bring out every season to display on your mantel. Oh, and please send one to your favorite family photographer too!
As your New Orleans family photographer, I can’t wait to see your holiday card this year!
