Author: Cat Cooley
Seven Winter Photography Tips
Pictures are treasures. Whether physical or digital, photos have a way of commencing scrolls down memory lane. They ignite fun conversations as you show embarrassing ones to the new fiance. They kindle a longing from the past as you scroll through pictures of your kids when they were young. Laughter can erupt from silly pictures your kids took that you didn’t even know were on your phone. Photos are invaluable. Even if we have ten thousand pictures of our babies, we can’t bring ourselves to delete just one. Snapping a quick shot secures a memory to relive later.
The winter season presents many opportunities for pictures, but it can be hard to get a good one between the snow, lights, and the bustle of people. In a panic, you rush to take a picture, only to discover that half of the kids have their eyes closed. We’ve all had this happen to us, but don’t miss out on a single memory this season due to a bad picture! From holiday dinners to GameTruck birthday parties, here are seven winter photography tips to help you capture the moment and treasure it for a lifetime.
Shift your perspective
This powerful winter photography tip can upgrade your pictures to the next level. When we take a picture, our automatic pose is to hold the camera directly in front of us. Consider trying a new perspective. New angles can change the feel of a photo and capture elements that otherwise would not be in the shot. For example, lower angles are great at capturing the landscape in the foreground.
Take a Bunch!
Why take one picture when you can have ten? If you’ve got a fast-moving subject like a little league game or cute pets, try Burst mode. It’ll take ten pictures per second. Afterward, go through and find the best one.
Bring it in!
Get up close! If you’re trying to capture a smile from opening a present, consider moving closer to the subject, focusing on their face. Bringing your shot in will help you capture emotion and facial features, making this an excellent option for portrait photography.
Keep it simple
Try this winter photography tip! Simple is truly more. Empty space is our friend, as it can help your subject easily stand out. Too many elements within a picture can overwhelm the eyes and ruin a beautiful shot.
Use the Volume Button
Blurry photos are a dreaded enemy of moms everywhere. If you have an iPhone, use the Volume Up button to capture a picture. This will help you reduce that blurriness.
Try Portrait Mode
On your phone, select Portrait mode. This creates depth by having an up-close subject against a blurry background.
Pause & Preview
Finally, look at the shot before capturing it if time permits. Remove distracting elements, see what a shifting perspective might do, and try moving closer to the subject. Staging a shot before you take it can drastically increase the quality of your photos.
Employ these winter photography tips to upgrade your photography for free! Despite the colder weather, winter is a memorable season. It’s a time to celebrate this year’s victories, connect with those in your life, and look forward to the new year. Taking good pictures will help you remember this year, bringing a smile to your face as your scroll through the images on your phone, so don’t let the snow or lights hold you back from capturing the perfect moment! Try one or all of these tips to take your photography skills to the next level!
Need help with birthday invitations or checklists? Need help picking a theme?
Check out our Guide to Throwing the Perfect Bash!
Winter Fun for Families – 9 Affordable Ideas
While the winter season can be a blessing, sometimes it just gets unbearable, leaving everyone trapped inside. This can lead to boredom, feeling antsy, and kids having lots of energy to burn off with no outlet. As winter approaches, it doesn’t hurt to have an “emergency activity” prepared for these days to save yourself from the insanity. Your friends here at GameTruck understand that, so we’ve put together this excellent list of affordable ways to create excitement and memories with your family this season! Take a look at our list!
Video Game Party
Invite your kid’s new classmates over for an exciting memory-building experience they won’t forget. No matter what the weather is like outside, GameTrucks are always the perfect temperature inside. With hundreds of games to choose from, classics and new releases, your kid will love deepening their friendship with new and old friends. Call your local GameTruck today to book your fall party!
Maple Syrup & Ugly Sweaters (Dec. 17th)
Did you know that December 17th is National Ugly Sweater and National Maple Syrup Day? If you’re looking for a fun, cheap entertainment idea, try an Ugly Sweater Pancake Party! Buy or decorate your own ugly sweaters, and make your favorite pancakes. Ask your friends and family to vote on their favorite ugly sweater!
Write a Letter to Someone
Everyone loves receiving stuff in the mail – except bills. Your kids can learn a lost skill and brighten a relative’s or friend’s day by writing and mailing a letter to someone.
Plan a Vacation
Have your kids put on their tour guide hats and plan the coolest vacation. Dreaming is a great escape from the frigid winds and blustering flurries. Allow them to design an itinerary or a brochure advertising their vacation. Combine that research and creativity for an enjoyable and educational experience.
Fitness Fun
No gym membership? No problem! Find tons of free kid-focused workout routines online with Google, Pinterest, or Youtube. They get to burn off that energy while learning about a healthy lifestyle.
Create & Perform a Play
Tailor this idea to fit your child’s interests. Writing the script, creating the set, acting, and directing all can be explored in this event. Let your child explore their creative side with the dramatic arts in a fun, laid-back way that the whole family and extended family can enjoy.
Do an Art or Science Kit
Learning can and should be fun! Grab an art or science kit you know your child will love and do it with them. These kits can be found online or in most stores. Go on a learning or creative journey with your kid to learn alongside them.
Bake a Recipe
Cooking with your kids is a great way to build new memories and teach them life skills. These kid-friendly, cookbook-styled blogs are to the point with no long backstories, ads, or pop-ups.
Thrifted Costume
Have some family fun with thrifty at your favorite second-hand stores. This idea is great for creating fun memories, affordability, and spontaneous Ness. Before you start, decide on a budget. How much is each person allowed to spend on their costume? Next, decide if you want to do special categories like the 80s or leave it open for imagination. Then head to your favorite stores. Be sure to take lots of pictures to post on social media to have friends and family vote for the costume they think is the best and the silliest.
The winter season can be a blessing and a curse at the same time, but don’t let those frigid temperatures keep your family from having an awesome winter! Try an idea off our list, customize it, and beat the boredom!
Need help with birthday invitations or checklists? Need help picking a theme?
Check out our Guide to Throwing the Perfect Bash!
8 Gift Ideas for Dads who Love Video Games
Move over, kids! Hand over that controller to the master, the video game expert: Dad. In part one, we shared a killer gift list that’ll knock out gifting-giving stress. This week it’s time to focus on gift ideas for Dads or Husbands. Even though it’s freezing outside, you want a gift that’ll warm their heart. You want him to feel loved, appreciated, and special with your gift. You want a thoughtful gift that he’ll love, but perhaps, you’re struggling with ideas. What do you get someone with all the games and systems and their own money? Maybe you’re not feeling confident in your gaming knowledge, so you’re worried even more about the right gift for him.
Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! At GameTruck, we understand how important it is to find the right gift for the gamers in your life at a reasonable price. The holiday season can be crazy and overwhelming, but you can kick those negative feelings to the curb with this gamer-approved list that’ll help you be the coolest and show just how much you love them.
Retro Drink Coasters
Whether you want to impress fellow gamers or spark fun conversations with coworkers, these coasters are a great identity piece that’ll protect your coffee table!
Boss Monster: The Dungeon Building Card Game
What if you could combine D&D, retro gaming, and family game night? Let me introduce you to Boss Monster. Grab your villainous cape and plans for destruction! Challenge your inner evil mastermind by creating the ultimate dungeon. Inspired by a love of classic video games, Boss Monster: The Dungeon Building Card Game pits 2-4 players in a competition to build the ultimate side-scrolling dungeon. Players compete to lure and destroy hapless adventurers, racing to outbid one another to see who can build the most enticing, treasure-filled dungeon. The goal of Boss Monster is to be the first Boss to amass ten Souls, which are gained when a Hero is lured and defeated – but a player can lose if his Boss takes five Wounds from Heroes who survive his dungeon.
PlayStation Classic
This recreation of the iconic PlayStation console is a unique gift idea for retro gamers and for newer generations of gamers. It comes with 20 games, two wired controllers, and lots of nostalgia.
For the Star Wars Fan
Fuel his love for a galaxy far far away with these awesome gift ideas from small businesses! Consider getting a funny Rebel Scum Doormat or a R2D2 Amazon Echo Skin.
Medieval Pokemon Book
Did your gamer grow up with Pokemon? Then try this unique gift that’ll spark up fun conversions. Codex Pokemonus is an illustrated book featuring the First Generation Pokemon in the style of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages.
Need more ideas? Check out our Honorable Mentions list!
- Custom Gamer Tag Light
- Controller Holders
- 100 Video Game Scratch Off Bucket List Challenge
Finding the right gift can add an unnecessary burden on you. You want a gift showing just how much you love them while still being within your budget. Use this list of gift ideas for dads to help you rock this gift giving season!
Looking for gift ideas for you little gamer? Check out our must-have list here!