UPDATE - I finally made a Christmas Card decision!

[vpalmer]

Since you ladies helped me I thought I would share the end results even if it is two months later! We decided to take a fall themed picture for our Christmas cards and later on take a picture of Eva in the Hanna dress with the Christmas scene. Anyway, thanks for all your help. Here are the pictures:

The picture we used in our cards:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/18756.jpg


A solo picture of Eva we took at the same time:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/18757.jpg

Eva's pictures we took later on in the Hanna Dress:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/18758.jpg

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/18759.jpg

Thank you again and Merry Christmas!


OLD MESSAGE:

I simply can't make a decision and I need your help! I have two choices regarding our family pictures and each has pros and cons. Please help me decide.

Option #1
-Eva wears this outfit:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/14908.jpg

- I would wear a red Hanna Jacket and skirt or pants and DH would wear slacks and some type of coordinating shirt.

Pros:
-I am using the pictures for Christmas Cards so obviously the theme is great.

Cons:
-The picture studio I use is not getting their winter background until after Thanksgiving. I am tired of a white background which is what we used last year for our family shots and for Eva's last two solo photo shoots. I really want something different this year and their scenes are always really creative and well put together.

-I don't have the Hanna tights for Eva yet so I would have to place another Hanna order like NOW. I really would probably only be in a position to order the tights right now which I hate to do because of Hanna's high shipping cost. I would like to wait to order the Sherpa set for me at the same time, but I just can't justify it right now.

-I don't really want to wait much longer to get the pictures taken because I want to have them back in time to get Christmas Cards out right after Thanksgiving AND my highlights are about 3 weeks in right now so I really need to get these pictures done quickly before I have roots. ;-)

Option #2:
-Eva wears this outfit:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/14909.jpg

-I wear an Eddie Bauer chunky olive green cardigan and khakis (or jeans) and DH wears khakis (or jeans) and coordinating polo type shirt.

Pros:
-I could get the pictures taken right away because I have all the clothes.
-I have seen the fall background in an ad the studio is running the pictures are great. They are using and old barn door, a tractor and other fall looking things. I think the pictures would turn out great.
- I would have the pictures back in plenty of time for Christmas cards.

Cons:
-I would have a fall picture in a Christmas card. Is this bad? Would it look better to do a Christmas picture? UUGGHH, I am so confused. HELP ME PLEASE. What do you think?

If you have made it this far, I thank you! So what is your wise advice? :-)

Veronica
Mom to Eva

[reyn74]

I'd do the Fall pic, then get Christmas pics done later (even with just Eva to show off the pretty dress) if you still want them. I think it is fine to get Fall pics for a Christmas card, especially since you are sending them out pretty early. Plus, that Gymbo outfit is really cute on Eva!

-Sarah and boys

[LucyG]

I vote for the 2nd option - fall pictures now with Eva in the CAAB outfit. I think it's fine to use those for Christmas cards. Our DD didn't wear anything Christmasy in our card photo last year. Then, you can have Eva's picture taken by herself at Christmas, if you want.

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif[/img][/url]
19 months and counting!

[larissal]

I am kind of a perfectionist, so is my DH. So, we would get all of the coordinating clothes and do the Christmas pictures in Christmas outfits. If you love the CAAB outfit (or any others) so much, you can do another pose at the same photoshoot. You aon't have to pay the sitting fee and can get just a couple of sheets with the fall pictures.
Sorry, but you asked what we would do :))
Did you see the 20% off code for Hanna?

[Samraelanelevi]

I say go with the fall theme outfits. The pictures will be adorable! I have and am going to use fall themes for Christmas cards before and everyone always loves them.

I would however schedule her to get individual pics with the Hanna dress-it's gorgeous!

[babymama]

I would go ahead with the fall background for your family pic/christmas cards and then have Ava pose in her hanna dress with the holiday background later.

Hope this helps!

Lydia
Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

[amp]

Okay, Veronica, I'm going to be the voice of dissention here. I think both outfits are cute, but that Christmas one is to die for! I would totally do that and just use a white, off white or gray or neutral light background or something festive if they don't actually have the holiday backdrops yet.

[kirstensmom]

I'm voting for the Hanna dress too. It's just so cute and Christmasy. Would you consider just using plain white tights for the Christmas photo so you don't have to place another Hanna order? Not sure of the background though. Do they have any kind of white background with texture like curtains hanging in the back. I think they did something like that for my dd's 1st bday picture. NOt sure if I explained that correctly.

Michelle
Mom to Kirsten 8/02

[pamela mom of 3]

Both outfits are cute, but my opinion if i did xmas cards i would want a xmas picture, so despite some of the issues i prefer the first dress since your speaking for christmas pictures.

~Sorry :o

~Pamela Mom to the Trio Of Trouble http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/otn/angels/newangel.gif


http://www.tickercentral.com/view/36o/1.png[/img][/url]

[gour0]

I like more casual holiday cards. Some of my favorite ones I've received over the years have been pumpkin patch photos and beach photos. So, I say go with what you HAVE.

[writeleigh]

If you do want to wait a bit to use the Christmas background, you could always send it out as a New Year's card with the xmas pic. We do that because we wait to take our Christmas pictures until it's closer to Christmas, and I like the idea of our holiday card not getting lost in the rush of holiday stuff and other holiday cards. It's also one less thing for me to worry about getting done during the holiday season and I send them out the first week of January.

[soexcited]

I vote for the Fall outfit because it seems so much easier for you. I often see Christmas cards of families in non-holiday clothes and it looks just fine.


-Lisa

[khakismom]

Veronica, what a FABULOUS picture of all of you!! Everyone has the perfect smile on! It's a perfect Christmas card! :)

[parkersmama]

Oh, wow, Veronica!! All the pictures are soooo adorable! Eva is such a cutie and you all look terrific in the Christmas pic! Love them. :)

[sugarsnappea]

I love your Christmas card picture, you all look so happy. You have such a beautiful family. :)