I have this wall in my house. I like adding our family photos to it. Most of the pictures that are on this wall are professionally done. I have so many more that need to be added, many are just in the folders they came in after printing, some are carefully stored, waiting to be paired with the perfect frame to be added to this group.
Blues Clues was really popular in our house when the big kids were smaller.
Sometimes, I remember my camera when we go out, and if I’m lucky enough to have someone snap a nice photo of my family where everyone is smiling and looks decent (meaning the boys combed their hair, and we aren’t clashing in colors for the camera) then I can blow it up and frame it. (Truth be told, that rarely happens)
Strong Man Miguel hams it up for the camera…even when he was a wee lil one.
But one of the best things that I invested in when we first moved here to Manila was a membership to The Picture Company. It reminded me of a studio back home I used. That once a year fee included lots of freebies for the whole family on birthdays and other important days. The studio is really dedicated to families because they have props, costumes and a ton of gear to use which make your photos fun! The biggest perk to being a member meant that I could schedule a sitting anytime for FREE for my family.
One year, we even did barkada shots with Gia’s friends for her birthday. I won’t post that pic because I don’t have all the girls’ parents’ permission.
Mommas with new babies would LOVE this idea, because every month on their baby’s birthdate they could schedule a fun shoot to mark growth and change!
I love that I have these memories from when the kids were small. This whole series brings a smile to my face.
After baby number four….I have to be honest. I’m lucky if I can get a family shoot in once a year. Usually, I plan the shoot right around my birthday because I know I will have time to use those photos for a Christmas card. Back home, I would schedule that shoot at the local studio I would use, and then insert a series of shots into our annual Christmas letter. (Hmm, haven’t done an annual Christmas letter in the seven years since we moved here…maybe I should do an online version?)
We even scheduled a shoot one day for Grandparents day!
Now, it’s been a while since I’ve been to The Picture Company, but I recently found out that they have Christmas cards, AND tags to match! The designs are clean and easy to fill in with themed shots. I wanted to incorporate as many shots from our sitting as I could so I chose the card with lots of spaces to fill in. Both the tags and the card come personalized, not just with your photos, but a greeting, and an inscription of how you would like to sign, as well. We have 6 names already, so we just chose to sign our cards with “The Aventajado Family,” and
“The Aventajado Kids.”
So this time, when we went for our sitting, I thought I planned really well. I prepared everyone’s shirts…of course in Christmas colors. But just because Momma plans, doesn’t always mean that everyone will follow suit. Luckily, our photographer Klara was quick on the draw. She was able to capture quite a few shots of each of the kids AND we were able to snag at least one nice family photo that will compliment each other on the Christmas Card.
Each time the family is together, we try and schedule a photo shoot. This was just after the first year that we moved to Manila. (tsk tsk tsk. Pic of a pic using Pic Stitch app. Forgive the quality!)
We prefer to go to a studio that was close to our home, in Alabang. But there are lots of branches in places that are all over the metro which make it easy to go in for a sitting, no matter where you live. Check out the FB page for details on where you can schedule a shoot close to your place. PLUS as a gift to the #SoMoms readers, The Picture Company is offering a FREE sitting for you! All you have to do is this:
1) Take a screen shot of the coupon. Print it.
2) Call the branch of your choice and schedule an appointment. Be sure to tell them you have a coupon for a free sitting.
3) Bring up to 8 family members to the sitting. (Remember to bring printout of the coupon!)
4) Use this coupon before December 15, 2013.
I can’t wait to share my pics with all of you 🙂 The kids had SO much fun with their creative shots!
Behind the scenes for Miggy’s creative shot.
Behind the scenes for Diego’s creative shot.
This post is sponsored by The Picture Company. It’s always easy for me to share products and services that I believe in. As a mom of four, I’m always looking for ways to make my job(s) easier and creating lasting memories (and portraits) is part of that job. Thank you TPC for our photo session. We had fun with our photographer Klara ,and the staff at TPC Alabang made it very easy to come up with the shots that we wanted to include in our Christmas Card and gift tags.
I love the Picture Company too.. great, talented people over there. Podium is my fave branch since its near our place. I do the shot on my birthday because they give free print to members on their birthday. I also had my Preggy Photoshoot there too. I miss it, its been 4 years since our last family photoshoot
You should go back! It’s been years since we were back as well, and I forgot how quick and easy they make it for us! Do a Christmas pic in time for the holiday! I look back on my pics from TPC and it really brings a smile to my face…literally capturing and freezing time from when they were little…
I always enjoy reading your article, Merry Christmas to you all! Miss you and the whole family!!Tita V Ramos
Thanks for stopping by Tita Vicki! We miss you too 🙂 Hope you’ll be coming home soon!