8 Tips for a Successful Family Photo Shoot

I confess... I detest getting my picture taken.  However, I do think it is important for moms to get in pictures with their kids, so this summer we scheduled a family photo shoot.

I am so pleased with the way our pictures turned out, and I am so grateful to our wonderful photographer -- Hilary Hendsbee. (You can check out her facebook page here.)  

I am not a photography expert, but here are a few things I found helpful during the handful of family photo shoots we have done over the past few years.

1) Timing is everything - Make sure you pick a time of day that works with your kids' schedules.  Well rested children will be way more cooperative.  Also, make sure you give yourself lots of time for the shoot.  Arrive early so there is no need to rush around and stress out.

2) Dress for success - Make sure everyone (especially the kids) are comfortable, and choose clothes that are not trendy or distracting.  Clothes don't have to match, but they should coordinate for a cohesive feel.  A change of clothes and a sweater (in case it gets cold) are also useful.

3) Choose the right photographer - Get recommendations from friends, and find someone with experience working with kids.  You are going to want to find someone that specializes in the style of photos you are looking for.

4) Be clear about what you want - Decide whether or not you want candid shots or formal portraits, and figure out who you want in the pictures.  e.g.  I really wanted a picture of just my three boys, so I made sure to let the photographer know ahead of time.

5) Let the photographer take the lead - Although it may be tempting to take control, let the photographer call the shots -- he/she is a professional.  Give your opinion, but take advantage of his/her expertise when it comes to locations and poses.

6) Pick the right location - Pick a location with lots of interest for the children and one that will give you the "look" you are going for.  We picked the beach, and the boys had a lot of fun.

7) Bring a bag of goodies - Any activity with children requires some solid "prep" work.  Bring snacks, blankets, stuffies, bubbles -- anything that will make the kids happy and put them at ease.

8) Relax and have fun -  It will make the experience (and your pictures) better!  :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

ECM Kids' Craft Club - #18 {Paper Plate Duck}

Welcome to the 18th edition of the ECM Kids' Craft Club.  This month we are making a paper plate duck!

First, gather your supplies.  You'll need a paper plate, two googly eyes, yellow cardstock, orange cardstock, glue, a yellow crayon, and a pair of scissors.  

Then:

1) Fold a paper plate in half and color it yellow.

2)  Trace your hand onto an orange piece of cardstock, and cut it out.

3)  Cut out a circle (head) from yellow cardstock, a triangle (beak) from orange cardstock, and two duck feet from orange cardstock.

4)  Glue two googly eyes and the beak onto the head.  Then, glue the head and two feet onto the paper plate.

Cute, right?  I hope you had fun making your handprint paper plate duck.
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't forget... Assist young children when using scissors, and be careful of the small parts included with this kit, as they can be a choking hazard for children under three".)

Quick Tip Tuesday #11 - Simple Summer Craft - Butterfly

A few of weeks ago, I posted a Simple Fish Craft, and it has gotten a lot of views.  So, here's another easy craft for kids that requires minimal supplies and minimal adult supervision.

To make this butterfly craft:

1) Draw a simple butterfly shape, and have the child cut it out and color it.
2) Cut out some holes in the wings or use a shaped-punch.
3) Glue some tissue paper to the back of the butterfly to cover the holes.
4) Optional -- Use a popsicle stick to make the body and add a couple of googly eyes to the top of the popsicle stick.  (Or... as pictured here... if you are three, you can just glue a bunch of googly eyes onto the wings like my son did. lol)

That's it!  A simple butterfly craft that looks great when the sun shines through the wings.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Top 5 Pirate Play Ideas

Imaginative play is a cornerstone of childhood... and it's fun for adults too. Around here, we LOVE playing Pirates, and today, I am sharing our Top 5 Pirate Play Ideas. The are all easy, inexpensive, and fun!

1)  Make your own pirate costume - You can follow the tutorial for my "no sew" Jake costume here (including a template for a cardboard sword), or you can just cut up some old jeans and shirts to look like ragged pirate clothes.  

2)  Make a pirate craft - You can color a pirate picture, or you can try making our mod podge pirate treasure chest.  (You can find the full tutorial here.)

3)  Read some pirate books - If you don't already have a book shelf full of pirate stories, head to the library and check out some new pirate adventures.

4)  Have a pirate lunch -  Pirates love fish, and these fish sandwiches ARRRRR! almost too cute to eat.  Little pirates will love these peanut butter sandwiches cut out in the shape of fish (with chocolate chip eyes).

5)  Enjoy a special pirate treat - Every pirate adventure ends with a treasure, and these Gold Doubloon cupcakes are the perfect pirate treat.  (You can find the tutorial here.)

Fun, right?  I am absolutely in love with the adorable "fish" sandwiches", aren't you? Do your little ones enjoy going on pirate adventures? I hope I've inspired you to "play pirates" today.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Lunchbox Notes {free printable}

School is starting in a few weeks, so I thought it would be fun to design a sheet of lunch box notes for my boys.  The messages are simple, but they are important, and I know by boys will love them.

Want to download your own sheet of these adorable lunch box notes... for free?  

Click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 8x10 photo.

Do you like sending notes in your child's lunchbox? I think these are simple and adorable. Enjoy them! :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the school lunch tips here.

Back to School Printables

School doesn't start here until the first week of September, but I know some of my readers are heading back sooner.  So, I thought now would be a good time to share some Back to School Printables.

The first day of school is the perfect photo op, and these FREE printable signs are perfect for documenting the special day.

How adorable are my boys?!?!

These 8X10 prints would be cute as photo props on the first day of school.  They would also be cute framed and sitting on the table for a special "first day of school breakfast".  

You can download prints for grade primary to seven {without the watermark} below.  Feel free to share the printables, but do NOT link directly to the download.  Thank you!

Preschool Print
Grade Primary Print
Grade 1 Print
Grade 2 Print
Grade 3 Print
Grade 4 Print
Grade 5 Print
Grade 6 Print
Grade 7 Print

I hope you have a great first day of school.  Enjoy the free printables!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

UPDATE:  I've had a few requests for Pre-K and Kindergarten since I originally wrote this post.  They are slightly different from the ones above, but you can right click on the pictures below, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 8X10 photos.)

PS (You might also like THESE Back to School Tips.)

More back to school photo ideas here...

{simple} Magic Trick for Kids

One of the items on our Summer Checklist is "learn a new joke or magic trick".  Magic tricks can be tough for little ones, but this one is really simple and lots of fun.  (It is based on one I found at HowDoesShe.com.)

Here's how my boys used "magic words" to turn clear liquid into a colorful magic potion.

Step 1 - Put a couple drops of food coloring onto spoons.
Step 2 - Cover the food coloring with baking soda.
Step 3 - Fill glasses (half full) of vinegar.
Step 4 - While saying magic words, stir the baking soda into the vinegar.

The kids will love watching the clear liquid turn into a colorful and foamy fountain.

Do you think your little ones would love fooling friends with this simple magic trick?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)