Holiday Photo Cards & $50 Shutterfly {Giveaway}

Last night I had so much fun hanging out with the girls.  Thanks to Shutterfly and Phoenix City Grille we enjoyed a nice private dining room.  It was all decked out for the holidays and the perfect place to talk family photos and cards for the season.

The food was so delicious!  We enjoyed a round of appetizers, our main course (I went all out with a hamburger), and topped the night off with a selection of desserts.  My two favorite were the chocolate torte and pumpkin cheesecake, don't worry I didn't finish them off on my own.  They were table desserts so I had a tasting of each.  

Dinner discussion focused on everyone's to do list; pending family photos and holiday cards.  It's my favorite chore of the season.  I love making the final selection of photos and a card that compliments.  Over the years my photography style has sophisticated and the cards, I think, just keep getting better.  I like to think of them as telling a story.  Each card has special meaning and captures our year in photos.

Our first family Christmas card was the first year in a new home.  We moved south of Tucson and decided to take photos at some of the iconic spots in the area.  Notice the matchy-matchy theme happening.  

The next year we spent Thanksgiving in Disneyland.  It was Aiden's first trip there and I wanted to capture the excitement of the visit.  

Last years selection was my favorite.  It reflected our son's individual personality and that of our family. I don't know how we'll top it except that our family has grown.   

I've learned over the years you don't have to have a pricey professional photo to make your card.  Vacation photos, candid shots of the kids, a tripod and a remote will do just fine if it tells the story of your family.  Get more tips for creating card worthy photos on the NEW Shutterfly Family Photo Site.  

"Every photo is a Cardworhty one when it best 
reflects your family and who you are."

This year I've learned you don't have to pick just one color, instead go with a color theme.  As long as each person in the family is wearing at least one of those colors.  We just moved so we are continuing the tradition of taking pictures at iconic places in our new home.  I love the two cards below with the chalkboard look from Shutterfly's holiday collection.  How cute is the washi tape embellishment.

Test out your photos in one of Shutterfly's holiday cards.  The #cardworthy contest is running on their Facebook page until December 9th.  A different theme each week gives you a chance at fantastic prizes: family trip for 4, and a variety of Shutterfly credits.

Then, come back here and enter to win a $50 Shutterfly credit.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Don't forget to visit these blogs also for a chance to win a Shutterfly credit too.
Mom Endeavors
Allison Waken
A Night Owl Blog
Arizona Thrifty Mom
Cute as a Fox
Worley House
Clever Pink Pirate
Arizona Momma

Disclosure: I am part of the Mom It For­ward blog­ger net­work. Mom It For­ward and Shut­ter­fly partnered in sup­port of this campaign. I was com­pen­sated for this campaign and provided a giveaway for my readers. How­ever, all thoughts and opinions are my own; I truly love the Shutterfly family.