Did you take more photographs than you know what to do with last year? I certainly did and so many of the photographs are memories or moments I want to relive. How do you make your favorite moments captured come to life again? (This post  contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links at no additional cost to you. When I find a great product or service, I like to share my experience.)

As many of the readers here at Life-n-Reflection know; I strive to do something new each month to share my photography outside the digital realm. You may have seen my recent Photography Stationery. This month for the new year I decided to create a personalized photography planner with Tiny Prints. I LOVE how the color printed and as usual the quality is amazing! The planner cover is printed on a thick card stock base with a soft textured matte finish. It is a lined notebook you can use to document and plan your photography trips, still life sessions, and seasonal prompts this year.  Check out my tips below for creating your very own photography planner! 

5 Tips for Creating A Photography Planner:

1. Choose a base cover design from Tiny Prints or create your own in Photoshop for your planner.
2. Select up to six photographs for the cover. If you are showcasing multiple photos select or post process your photographs to exert the same vibrancy. You wouldn't want one dull photo in the bunch.
3. Mix it up - select a variety of landscape and portrait photographs for a unique appeal.
4. Add a title or an inspiration quote in Photoshop ahead of time over your photographs or in the designing process at Tiny Prints. It's quick and easy to add one during the design process and they have lots of fonts choices too! I chose an inspiration quote, "Gratitude for the the small and simple things" with the year as a title.
5. Always do a quick preview to see that your photographs are framed in a pleasing manner if any cropping with occur during the printing. Especially, if your photograph includes an important travel icon, like the Eiffel Tower or the faces of your loved ones.
6. Here's a few photography prompt checklists to get you started when your planner your arrives: Summer, Autumn, and Holiday. 

Do you have tips for reliving your favorite photos captured, share in the comments below! 

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2017 Photography Calendar

Photography is an ART of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.  - Elliot Erwitt 

 (This post  contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links at no additional cost to you. When I find a great product or service, I like to share my experience.)

Life-n-Reflection is about reflecting on things we see, photograph, document, and record. We can most certainly  learn from our observations. My favorite way to share those observations is in a yearly calendar!  For my 2017 calendar I choose to create an Easel Calendar with Shutterfly. Let me just say, it is adorable! The calendar is a convenient 5" x 7" inch size printed on thick card stock. It even comes with a stand. Do you see it in the top photo above? Yes, that is real wood. You can use the wood stand for years to come or display stationery, prints, or printable signs. Keep reading for 5 Tips to Creating a Photography Calendar.

5 Tips for Creating A Photography Calendar:

1. Choose a base template design or create your own in Photoshop for your calendar.Use the one I choose here or check out 100s of options at Creative Market ready to customize. 
2. Select 12 photographs one for each monthly calendar. I highly recommend selecting or post processing your photographs to exert the same vibrancy. You wouldn't want one dull photo in the bunch.
3. Instagram photos work great for this easel calendar! Or select portrait and landscape  photos to crop and clip into the design.
4. Add a title or an inspiration quote in Photoshop over your photographs or in the designing process. It's quick and easy to add one during the design process and including many fonts choices.
5. Always do a quick preview to see that your photographs are framed in a pleasing manner, especially if any cropping with occur during the printing.

Are looking for more ways to share your photography observations - see my Photography Stationery! Do you have tips for sharing your favorite observations, share in the comments below.

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Personalized Holiday Stationery

Surely, the Holidays are one of any photographer's favorite time to share their captures and show off their skills! Yes, you can pat yourself on the back now for all the gorgeous moments you have captured this year. And if your like me, a plain jane holiday card just won't do. This I year I was lucky enough to work with Minted to create my personalized holiday stationery. It was so much fun and the stationery arrived in perfect condition. They even sent me an adorable fabric bag to keep them until they are sent! Check out my tips below for creating your own holiday stationery. (This post includes affiliate links. When I find a great product or service, I like to share it with my readers. All opinions are my own.)

5 Simple Steps to Create Personalized Holiday Cards:

1. Pull together your mailing list. Check out Minted’s FREE Address Assistant to making addressing your holiday cards so easy!

2. Prepare several photos to give you multiple options in case you choose to use a holiday photo card with more than one photo or you may want to do a year in review. Use the Find It Fast Tool, see the button in the top left of the screenshot above. I have truly never seen this tool before in all the years I have ordered holiday cards online. This made the process of choosing a card go much faster!

3. Choose a design and make it your own! Pick your favorite design from Minted’s community of independent artists to complement your photo. I selected The Most Elegant Wreath design. Seriously, that is the name of the design and it ever so elegant, even on the envelopes! When searching for a holiday card scroll over the design a select the heart to add it your favorites. You can review your favorites when you are ready and look at each design in more detail.

4. Find the perfect match for your photos with countless options:

• Select colors from the options in your favorite designs
• Choose your card shape
• Personalize your holiday greeting
• Select a background for the back of your cards
• Select a layout for the back of your cards with options to add more photos, a baby announcement, a photo story, and more

5. Get beautiful, matching envelopes too:

• Select your envelope color
• Choose a print design - yes please, see more details here. I had to keep our recipient's addresses hidden
• Add an optional slip in liner - I had to have these, aren't they gorgeous
• Add an optional return address

Top 3 reasons to order your holiday cards with Minted

1. Choose a unique holiday design - there are 1000s to choose from
2. Customize and make the design your own with color options, foil, or letterpress
3. Support an independent artist - a percentage of every Minted purchase goes directly to the designer

So, when should you send your holiday cards? Aim for early to mid-December at the latest. The earlier you order them, the more time you have to sit back and enjoy your hot cocoa, and the longer the recipients have to display them. I recommend ordering your cards 2-3 weeks before you’d like them to reach their recipients. Allow an extra week if you’re shipping internationally.

Save 15% Off All Minted Holiday Cards this week with coupon code: EARLYBIRD16

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