You don’t need “The Luck of the Irish” to take some St. Patricks Day photos and make them spectacular.  All you need are some cute little subjects (which you’ve already got) and a few inexpensive props (that you can easily and inexpensively obtain at your local party store.)   Couple those with a bright sunny day and, possibly, a field of grass or clovers, and you’ll have the perfect equation for some high quality, memory-made prints of your wee lads and lassies.

Here are some ideas for some creative St. Paddy’s portrait keepsakes:

• Balloons:  A simple bunch of green balloons is a unique way to draw attention to the picture.   Sometimes one big green balloon will add a little bit of uniqueness to your photo, too.  Against a stunning blue sky, on a bright sunny day, you are bound to create a setting that everyone will dote on.

• Hats: Local party supply stores have a lot of different styles;  Derby hats, green glittery top hats, a striped stove hat, or a charming plaid Gatsby style topper.   Add one of these hats to your baby, toddler, or older child’s precious little head, and you will definitely capture a fun mood in your shot.

• Green Feather Boa: This fun prop can be wrapped around your sleeping baby or wrapped around your diaper clad infant or toddler.  It adds texture and color, all-the-while capturing that winning photo.

While adding props to your portrait scene can really make your prints interesting and entertaining, there are a few things to remember and do that will make a good picture, a phenomenal picture.

• Lay the kids down, with their heads touching, and shoot from above.  This perspective is fun!

• Follow the “rule of thirds” by place your subjects on one of the imaginary lines that make up three vertical and horizontal columns/rows.   This rule produces an image that is very aesthetically pleasing.

• Seek motion in your picture by letting your subjects move freely while you shoot.  Sometimes this type of photography will produce that accidental image that you will treasure always.

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”
~Irish Blessing

by Sherry Smith

I remember attending and hosting several baby shower parties long before the Internet. Our resources were either what we created, (baby diapers made from napkins, dipped in paraffin wax as our favor containers) or a few baby shower products available at our local party store. Although the basic concept of the baby shower party remains the same, i.e. games, favors, gifts, etc., there are so many new products available today, and all within a few clicks of a button via the Internet.

Here are some wonderful products for baby showers you may have not have even known existed:

Special Little Baby Shower Extras
Keepsake Registries: A convenient little booklet that includes several places to write each guest’s name and the gift(s) they gave. Not only is this a great keepsake, but also makes filling out thank you cards a breeze.

Advice Books: Advice Books are a wonderful keepsake mom-to-be will cherish forever. Pass around a Baby Advice Book to all of your guests. Ask them to write a piece of advice they would like to pass onto the new parents.

Scrapbook Kits: It’s all the rage! Scrapbook kits are available (usually matching your baby shower theme) and are a great way to preserve this special day. By adding photos, scraps of gift-wrap, ribbon, a copy of the invitation and advice cards to name just a few, it’s a wonderful way to personalize and preserve this special day for a memorable keepsake.

Baby Shower Tiaras: Queen For A Day! Make their day extra special with a Baby Shower Tiaras. Baby Shower Tiaras are a fun way to celebrate this very special day, and make wonderful keepsakes for mommy-to-be, grandma-to-be and Aunt-to-be. A novelty gift they are sure to treasure. Baby Shower Tiaras are a great way to capture those special baby shower photographs and video moments.

Baby Shower Themes
Today, choosing a baby shower theme is a breeze even for the first time baby shower hostess. Not only are the plates, cups and napkins available in a matching baby shower theme, many companies offer favor bags, balloons, banners, game books, yard signs, serving platters and more in the same matching theme. Manufacturers now also offer fresh new baby shower designs for the hippest new moms. No longer do you have to settle for baby booties or storks, and many are ideal for the Baby Shower Office Party. See Mod Mom Baby Shower Theme for the perfect example.

Baby Shower Balloons
Did you know there are literally hundreds of baby shower balloons available today? Balloons offer a lot of bang for your buck. There are baby rattle shaped balloons, pacifiers, crawling babies, and even a walking Stork that measures 66″ high, to name just a few. Balloons also make wonderful centerpieces for your party tables. By combining one or two shaped balloons to a few matching solid balloons, and adding some curling ribbon, you have created your own one-of-a-kind baby shower centerpiece.

Balloons Weights: are a cute and clever way of holding down and displaying your balloon centerpiece creations, and are available from plush teddy bears, and ducks to musical balloon weights.

About the Author:
Sherry Smith is the creator of www.showerherbaby.com A website specializing in, and offering a complete selection of baby shower party supplies. All of the products mentioned above can be found at www.showerherbaby.com. See our Free Worksheets for some helpful baby shower party planning tips and advice.