Taking photos during the holiday season is always a great idea as it means you can look back at these photos and remember the great time you had.  Here are just 6 occasions where you may want to keep your camera handy:

1. Turning on the Christmas lights: whether it is a celebrity turning on the lights in your local area or a local hero, this is always an exciting time and a great opportunity to take photos.
2. Decorating the Christmas tree: capture many photos from when the tree arrives to when all the decorations are up and the tree is lighted.
3. Visiting the Christmas market: mulled wine, nice food and decorations? Christmas markets are certainly excellent places to capture the spirit of the season.
4. First snow: We all get excited about this.  Take photos of snow covered trees, roofs, and snowmen (if there is enough snow!).
5. Parties: Everyone lets loose at parties so whether they are office parties or family parties, keep your camera handy for memorable shots.
6. Christmas day: There should be no reminders necessary to take photos on this day.  It will be a shame not to have your camera ready on Christmas day.  Photos of family and friends opening gifts as well as the huge Christmas feast will be great for remembering the day.

By the end of the season, you should have a collection of photos, which you can use to create a great photo book. Happy holidays! KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with personalised photo book creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

Maybe you have a friend who always shoves the camera in your face? Or an uncle who yells until all the cousins are squashed together uncomfortably saying cheese. If you are a reluctant photographer for these sorts of reasons, here are some tips to boost your confidence without making you into into the paparazzi friend.

1. Start at Home:

Sometimes the best way to get started photographing is to start small and start where you’re most comfortable. For most of us this means in our house.  Spend an hour walking around your house (inside and out) taking pictures. Take some wide shots of whole rooms or the whole front of your house, and some close up shots of everything from a flower to a bowl of cereal.  Not only will taking lots of pictures get you more comfortable with the camera, you may also capture some good shots of familiar things which will boost your confidence.

2. Carry your Camera everywhere:

It is a good idea to carry a camera around and look for photographic opportunities.  Shooting some pictures on the move will get you comfortable taking pictures with people around.  Keep on practicing and you’ll be snapping group shots in no time.

3. Offer your assistance:

One of the main reasons people feel uncomfortable photographing others is because they don’t want to bother their friends or seem bossy. You can start by volunteering!  If you see families or people trying to take a picture of themselves or their family at a public place such as a museum, tourist venue etc,offer to take the photo for them.  This gesture will give you a chance to shoot groups.

4. First Subject selection:

It’s a good idea to start with a trustworthy friend or family member when you’re trying to build up your confidence.  Children, especially 7-10 year olds, can make great subjects.   Start by photographing them sitting still, like a school portrait.  If you start to get nervous talk about something completely unrelated.  Try giving them some directions.   If you feel uncomfortable about asking a family member or friend if you could take their photo, offer them free photos in exchange for their time.

5. Directing a crowd:

Ever heard the expression “It’s like herding cats”?  Some people feel this way about group shots or giving directions while shooting photos.  In order to ease the process, remember these three things:

1) Have a plan-If you have an idea in your mind about where you want people it will be easier to communicate what to do.

2) Speak up – Be loud enough for everyone to hear and don’t be afraid to give specific people instructions.  Remember to say something positive afterwards like, “Mom, move towards Dad and put your hand down by your side…That’s perfect.”

3) Sight lines – It’s a good idea to ask the group if everyone can see your lens before taking a photo, this ensures that every one’s face will be seen.

Becoming a confident photographer doesn’t happen over night. For one thing, if friends and family members aren’t used to seeing you wield a camera and snap photos they might have a reaction to your sudden interest. The attention might even make you a little more self-conscious but just remember; when they see those amazing photos, they will not only be helpful but also thankful for your new hobby.

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.

Ho ho ho! 44 days to go and most of us have already started thinking about perfect gifts for family and friends. Gift shopping is definitely the part of the holiday season that quite a lot of us don’t look forward to. We often end up struggling in overcrowded shopping centres searching for the perfect gift only to end up with the wrong ones. If you always find yourself in the same boat every year then here is your chance to give a unique gift that is guaranteed to be appreciated.

Why not make this year extra special by creating a truly unique KoodibooK filled with fantastic memories captured on camera? A KoodibooK photo book is  easy and quick to make and with options to suit every pocket, it is very affordable too. In addition to creating a very meaningful personalised gift, you don’t have to face the crowd of holiday shoppers in malls as your KoodibooK will be delivered to your door within just a few days. So don’t get stressed with gift shopping this year when you should be relaxing and enjoying the season with mulled wine and mince pies. Create your perfect gift today!

And since it is the season of giving, sign up to our mailing list now to receive a special seasonal discount on your photobooks! Happy Holidays!

It’s the week after Halloween and most of us are a bit calmer and looking forward to some fireworks. I am sure your cameras have been over-active these last few days and captured some truly classic moments. A few weeks from now you will probably be flicking through those pictures online and reminiscing or possibly sticking them on your walls and fridges. Wouldn’t it be great to have these photos in a perfect bound book on your coffee table for a change? Your own little book of memories! With Christmas just around the corner (ok so it is still a little far off but the countdown has begun), a KoodibooK capturing your great moments is one perfect gift you can tick off your list early this year.

There is no better gift than the gift of memories, so be sure to create that KoodibooK this season!

KoodibooK is about preserving and sharing your memories in a unique way while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The KoodibooK software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be previewed in 3-D, published online for free and printed professionally.