Baby Monthly Growth photos, The Easy Way

I bet you've seen them, the baby growth photos. But, I have to share a super easy twist. These photos always perk my friends' and family's interest every month on Facebook, so I'll reveal the magic.

He's adorable, isn't he ;)

My Facebook peeps love the text at the bottom. 

I shield them from the real stories. I really had, at 2 months, he has peed in my face as least once a week and month 3: by far the poopiest month - hands down. That's another perk of using a blank "canvas," the text changes when you add it later. Because, one day Brandon will get this beautiful baby growth photo book and on the last few pages - the real stories behind these photos. One day... I will have time to make these into a photo book.

Well, the truth is, he is a baby and like most babies', photos are taken on his/her schedule. He isn't going to stand for much posing. So I take a bunch of photos when he seems his best mood, easy is the only way we play this game.

The trick:

He is actually lying on a form poster board I painted with chalk paint. It's the blank sign idea I wrote about in this post for school photos signs.

Supplies:

1. Blank foam board - 2'x3' or 8x10 or really whatever size you prefer 
2. ...LATER.... Computer using Picasa or PicMonkey.com to add text (when you have time)
   Font in this photo: Eraser Dust available on PicMonkey or free download

Picasa is free software you download and PicMonkey is free online software (no download required)
read more about PicMonkey here (I'm not an affiliate, just a big fan!)

Steps:

1) Lay baby on blank foam board or place a blank foam board next to baby

2) Take as many photos as possible before enough is enough. 

3) LATER, and I mean LATER (days, months, years ...and if you manage hours or minutes, great job!) - use the computer to add text.

Every month passes by quick so don't over think it.

Thanks for visiting!

All the best,

Jessica 

The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog.

Super Easy School Sign

 

I have to share my secret to easy and great-looking school/milestone pictures.
If you are like me, I have great intentions and a fleeting memory. Everything seems to be last minute (despite my best efforts).

And it's not too late to get a couple great school pictures! Get the backpack, lunch boxes or whatever they bring to school and don't forget to grab these supplies (it's really just one thing).

Supplies List/ Steps:

1. White Foam Board - 8x10 or whatever size you prefer
2. ...LATER.... Computer using Picasa or PicMonkey.com to add text (when you have time)

Picasa is free software you download and PicMonkey is free online software (no download required)
read more about PicMonkey here (I'm not an affiliate just a big fan!)

So What's the Story...
The first day of Kindergarten approaches, I search Pinterest for first day of school ideas and find some great free printables. Pin it, swear I'll go to work and print them out. Then, I blink my eyes and it's the morning of Kindergarten.  We are scrambling. Breakfast. Pack lunches & a snack. Draw a note for the lunchbox (the way my mom used to). Get dressed. ...and, remember I did NOT print the sign!!! There is absolutely no time to find it now. I go to my craft stash and on top of a pile is a perfect 8x10 white foam board that came in the mail as an insert to protect a 8x10 photo. The board would have been trash, but I kept it. Thinking, this would be good for something (my husband thinks I'm a hoarder - I kind of am). Hey, my stash saves me on occasion. Like this...

 Benefits:

• Add text or whatever on the computer later, when you can actually think!
• Change the sign many different ways
• The kiddos all hold the same sign - it doesn't matter, it's blank
• Bonus: the sign doesn't have to be held any particular way!!

Addition {fancy} Ideas:
Use a colored blank foam board
Use a chalk board with no writing (there's a great chalk font on PicMonkey called Eraser Dust, see the photo title) 

Bling out or add a border to the blank board

I also use this idea for the last day of school and my baby's monthly growth photos (every month up to one year - see this post).

Thanks for visiting!

All the best,
Jessica

 The copyright in this blog, and the material on this blog (including without limitation the text, computer code, artwork, photographs, images, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material on this blog) is owned by Jessica Hines. If you would like to share, only link back to this blog.