Good morning, today is Small Business Saturday.  In case you haven’t heard of it, Small Business Saturday is a movement to support the small businesses in your local area.  Hundreds of organizations around the country have joined together to declare the Saturday after Thanksgiving the official Small Business Saturday.  Started last November 27, 2010, people are encouraged to go out on one day and shop at their favorite local business.

Here at The Stork Store, we are offering a special one day coupon in support of this special day.  Enter the code: SBS2011 for 15% off your entire personalized gift purchase.  Shop now for your favorite personalized gifts for the holidays.  Our favorites still remain the personalized mom coin name necklace to celebrate motherhood, the name puzzle stools, personalized piggy banks and so much more.  We’ve added hundreds of new personalized baby gifts and children’s gifts for you to enjoy.

Be sure to enter the code: SBS2011 for the special discount.  Happy Shopping!

There is nothing more satisfying than taking a great family picture together.  It takes a bit of work and coordination on the part of the photographer and the family, but the results will make it all worthwhile.  Here are a few suggestions to help you create the best family portrait.

1. Coordinate the outfits
Pictures always look better when everyone is dressed in the same color palette.  Choose from a selection of fall colors such as maroons, browns, and dark greens or go with a lighter spring mix of pastel colors.  Be sure to mix it up a little and have fun with the colors.  Everyone doesn’t need to wear the same colors or same style of clothing.  Have some people in solid color shirts and others in patterns.  The men can wear pants and have some of the women in dresses.  It will add texture to the picture and create interest.

2. Stand close together for group shots.
To create a warm and loving picture, have everyone stand close together.  It may feel uncomfortable to some family members, but open white spaces between people will look worse.  Try standing at an angle instead of directly facing the camera with shoulders overlapping.  Move the taller people to the back and center to create a triangle effect.  Add a chair if necessary for Grandma and Grandpa and have everyone circle around and behind the chair.  This picture should bring back good memories of a happy family with everyone close together.

3. Stay relaxed and go for spontaneous shots
Take the posed pictures early and get them out of the way.  They are great shots to have, but they may not end up being the favorite shots.  Once everyone is warmed up, allow for a little freedom with the pictures.  If it is teenager, try taking the pictures in her room where she is comfortable.  With little kids, put them in a playroom or outdoors and let them act natural.  A natural shot will capture the person’s true essence and not an awkward posed shot.

4. Vary the settings
A good photographer will keep everything running smoothly and change the scenery often.  This way, no one gets bored and there are always new poses to try.  Start with the family photo outdoors and slowly move around the yard or setting for different backgrounds and props such as a rock or a set of steps.  Move the photographer indoors if the lighting is good for an added element of composition.

5. Real smiles or no smiles
Most people think a great family picture means everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.  Ask your friends what their favorite photo is and guaranteed it’s the picture where the person looks natural and typically isn’t looking in the camera. Don’t be afraid to look off in the distance during a shot or hold back the posed smile.  Hopefully the photographer has a few funny jokes or phrases that will capture a genuine smile during the shoot as well.

Now that you have great family pictures, be sure to frame your favorite family photograph or create your holiday card. With so many designs out there, you are guaranteed to find the right picture holiday card to showcase your family. Visit The Stork Store to see our large selection of Photo Gifts at special Holiday prices.