Tis the Season to Giveaway and Share

Giving and sharing is what this season is all about, right?!  I'm here to share some gift giving ideas you can use with your Amanda Mitchell Photography images.  Oh yeah...and the 'giveaway' part of my title...you'll have to read to the end to find out more.  :)  In involves YOU sharing your ideas as well. 

Many families give the gift of memories for the holidays.  Just like with any gift, you take great care in selecting quality gifts that will last forever.  That includes your precious memories...PICTURES! 

If you're a customer of mine, you know I always recommend Shutterfly to print your images...and that's why I use Shutterfly's ProGallery for customers to view and share their images from our sessions.  And if you're not a customer, well...listen up! 

From my experience, Shutterfly has provided superb quality of prints, photobooks, and cards.  How do I know?  Well, because I've tried other photolabs.  Comparing Shutterfly to Clark Color Labs, Snapfish, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club...Shutterfly provides richer, more vibrant colors without going overboard.  The same goes for their photobooks.  Not only do the colors of your images stand out in photobooks, but the quality of the book will as well.  Shutterfly photobooks, compared to those of Clark Color Images, just FEEL sturdier.  The binding and stitching feels tighter; giving a sturdy feeling, rather than loose and floppy.  The pages of their photobooks are heavier, or thicker one might say.  What about cards?  The SELECTION!  I've never seen more of a selection for cards, stationary, or invitations than at Shutterfly.  You can also find an array of styles: traditional, modern, artsy, sophisticated or simple...and of course colors galore!

But you're not a professional photographer...or you don't have editing software.  No big deal!  Shutterfly also provides limited editing tools like....
*fix red eye
*image cropping
*effects such as black/white, color tone, saturate color, or soft focus
*add borders such as simple, seasonal, text, and color.

So let's focus (pun intended...ok, maybe I'm the only person who found that funny) on the holiday cards for a moment.  I have quite a dilemma...choosing a Christmas card!  Shutterfly has SO many options...below you will see three cards I'm choosing from.  If you like Shutterfly's card design, click the link and it will take you directly to it!

What is so unique about these cards is the way to customize the INSIDE!  That's right...not only do you get to show off your family on the front, but the inside as well!  Some designs offer a TIMELINE highlighted with images from this year.  Tired of typing up the annual Christmas letter...how about figuring out the margins of the stationary you're using?  What about folding a bazillion letters?!  Solution: Think of a few significant events from 2010, pop in a picture to illustrate it and VOILA...a Christmas card, letter and mini album ALL IN ONE! Some of the card designs offer a simpler approach, add a few pictures to the inside, and the bottom has a premade message, like most boxed Christmas cards.   Take a peek from Shutterfly's site.

timeline

images and customized message

So once again...here's what we're thinking about for our family Christmas card.  You'll also notice they aren't my family.  You wouldn't want me to ruin the surprise of our Christmas card picture, right?!  ;) 

Pretty Poinsettia

Starlight Joy

Oh What Fun Christmas

(oops...disregard the 'click to edit')

Ok, so you clicked on the links and now you're wondering which adorable card you want to send out.  So now you can check off Christmas cards off your list.  What else can you do with your images? GIFTS!  Grandparents ALWAYS love to show off their grandchildren!  Don't forget Dad...have something to remind of his family while working at the office.  Mom can keep kids close to her heart with a necklace while they are busy at school.  Baby's first Christmas...how about a collective ornament?!  Here are just a few gift ideas:

*prints
*canvas wall art
*mugs
*ornaments
*mouse pads
*magnets
*coasters
*keep sake boxes
*desk organizer
*puzzles
*playing cards
*notebooks and notepads
*jewelry
*tote bags

Pewter Ornament

Desk Organizer

Jewelry and Accessories

Now what to do after you've opened all the gifts....THANK YOU NOTES!!  Many of the holiday cards have coordinating thank you cards...and return address labels.  Who doesn't like everything coordinating?!  :)

Thank You Cards

So Shutterfly can make it all even sweeter...

For a limited time...
Save 20% on mugs, pewter ornaments, mouse pads, magnets, notepads, notebooks, and canvas prints.
Save up to 30% on books and cards
FREE shipping on orders $50+
Happy shopping for your memories!! :)

And because I'm helping to promote Shutterfly's holiday collection and other photo gifts, I will hopefully receive 50 free cards.  :)  Have a blog?  Still need your holiday cards?  Click here for more info.

Now...what you've been waiting for...the sweetest deal...Amanda Mitchell Photography's Holiday Giveaway!

Giveaway #1 
Help the Mitchells decide which Christmas card to choose!  Scroll back up to view our three options.  Cast your vote by simply commenting on THIS post with the name of the card. {only one vote per person per giveaway}  The card design with the most votes is the one we'll send out!  What's in it for YOU????  Your name goes in a drawing for a FREE one hour session AND cd with printing rights.  Use it for whatever you like...birthday party, kids yearly picture session, newborn session, family session...GET CREATIVE! 

Giveaway #2
I think my blog needs a few more followers!  I have two subscribers...and I KNOW more people view my blog.  (I really doubt my 2 followers are clicking here 200+ times a month).  For every person who joins as a follower (and current followers), your name goes in a drawing for one of these three fabulous prizes...
*Free cd with printing rights when you purchase any new session booked in 2011.
*Half off any new session fee (not to exceed 2 hours) booked in 2011.
*Free 20 page 5x7 Photobook from Shutterfly with any new session booked in 2011.

*new session means any session not previously booked.

Giveaways open NOW and close on Friday, December 17 at 8am.  So what are you waiting for?  Set your Outlook and Yahoo calendars with a reminder! 

So how will I do these drawings?  Your name is on a piece of paper...tossed into a bowl, hat, basket, etc and I'll let my dear husband select the papers.  Winners will be announced on our blog Saturday the 18th.

Good luck!