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How to Use Your Photos After the Holidays (Beyond Cards!)
The holidays may be over, but your photos deserve more than a moment in the spotlight. While holiday cards are a wonderful way to share your images, there are so many meaningful ways to enjoy and use your photos long after the decorations come down. Here are some ideas to help your photos live on all year: 1. Create a Family Album Albums are one of the most timeless ways to preserve your memories. Gather your favorite images from the year and turn them into a beautifully cur


The Magic of Winter Light for Photos ✨
When most people think about scheduling photos, winter isn’t always the first season that comes to mind — but it should be. Winter light has a unique magic to it, creating images that feel soft, intimate, and beautifully timeless. Here’s why winter is such a wonderful season for photos: 1. Soft, Flattering Light Winter sunlight sits lower in the sky, which creates naturally soft, even light. This means fewer harsh shadows and a more flattering glow on skin tones. The result?


Holiday Crafts You Can Make With Your Photos (Perfect for Gifting!)
The holiday season is here, and if you’re anything like us, you love gifts that come from the heart — and from your hands. Now that you have your beautiful photos in hand, it’s the perfect time to turn them into creative, personal, and memory-filled gifts your loved ones will treasure. Here are some fun and easy photo crafts you can make this season: 1. DIY Photo Ornaments One of the most timeless holiday crafts! Print a small square or circle photo Pop it into a clear orname


Your Holiday Photos Are Here! Now What?
Your gallery has arrived — yay! 🎉 Whether you booked a festive family mini, captured sweet moments with the kids, or finally got that long-overdue updated portrait, now’s the fun part: putting those beautiful images to use. Here are a few easy (and meaningful!) things you can do now that your holiday photos are officially delivered: 1. Download Your Gallery Right Away First things first — save your images!Download your full gallery and store it in at least two places: your c


The Ultimate Gift Guide for Photo Lovers
The holidays are the perfect time to give something personal, meaningful, and truly memorable—and what better way than with the gift of photos? Whether it’s for a parent, grandparent, sibling, or best friend, gifts that capture memories last far longer than any trend or gadget. Here’s your ultimate guide to gifting for the photo lover in your life. 1. Framed Prints A classic for a reason. Choose a favorite family photo, maternity shot, or holiday portrait and frame it beautif


Holiday Fun in Albuquerque: 10 Things to Do with Your Family This December
The holiday season in Albuquerque brings a unique blend of lights, tradition, community events, and cozy memories. If you’re looking for festive ways to celebrate, make memories, or capture some beautiful holiday photos — here are 10 great ideas to add to your December calendar: 1. Stroll Through the River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark Each December, the Botanic Garden transforms into a shimmering walk‑through winter wonderland with hundreds of handmade light displays, glowing


Why Winter Is an Amazing Time for a Family Session
If you think winter is too cold or too dull for family photos, think again! Some of the most beautiful, heartfelt, and timeless images happen during the winter months. Between the soft glow of the sun, the cozy textures, and the peaceful scenery, winter photos have a magic all their own. Here’s why winter might just be the most underrated (and perfect!) time to book your next family session. ✨ 1. The Dreamiest, Softest Lighting of the Year Winter light is every photographer’


🎄 How to Prepare Kids for Holiday Photos (Without Stress!)
Holiday photos are some of the sweetest memories of the year—twinkling lights, festive outfits, cozy hugs, and all the joy this season brings. But let’s be honest… getting kids ready for photos can feel like a whole event of its own. The good news? With a few simple tricks, your holiday photo session can be smooth, fun, and full of genuine smiles. Here’s how to set your little ones up for success! 🎁 1. Keep It Light and Fun Kids feed off your energy. If you’re relaxed, they


Why Booking Early for Your 2026 Photo Sessions Will Save You Stress
As the year begins to wind down and everyone starts planning for the new year, there’s one thing we can already promise: 2026 is going to fly by just as quickly as every year before it. Between school events, sports seasons, holidays, and family commitments, your calendar fills up long before you even realize it. That’s why booking your 2026 photo sessions early is one of the best gifts you can give yourself—peace of mind, beautiful photos, and a stress-free experience. Here


❄️ What to Wear for Winter Family Photos (Without Freezing!)
A Kate Buckles Photography Style Guide Winter photo sessions are some of the most magical of the entire year—cozy textures, soft light, rich colors, and that crisp, dreamy New Mexico air. But one of the biggest challenges families face? Figuring out what to wear that looks amazing and keeps everyone comfortable. Good news: you don’t have to choose between stylish and warm. With the right layering, colors, and fabrics, you can have both! Here’s your go-to guide for dressing y


📸 December Phone Photo Challenge
Capture the Magic of the Season — One Day at a Time The holiday season is filled with tiny, beautiful moments that deserve to be remembered. This month, do our December Phone Photo Challenge and snap one quick photo a day using just your phone ! No pressure, no perfection—just capturing life as it happens. Use the list below as daily prompts, or jump around and choose whichever inspires you each day! ✨ December Photo Prompts Something Cozy Your Morning View Favorite Holiday


🎄 It’s Officially December 1st — The Holiday Season Is in Full Gear!
The lights are twinkling, the calendar is filling up, and the magic of the holidays is officially here! As we step into the busiest (and most joyful!) time of the year, it’s easy to feel the pressure of to-dos, events, and family obligations. But with a little intention, this season can be filled with peace, connection, and memories you’ll treasure long after the decorations come down. Here are my top tips for a stress-free holiday season so you can enjoy the moments that ma


Here Are the Best Places to Order High-Quality Christmas Cards
Our Doc Long Christmas Minis were pure magic again this year — sparkling light, cozy outfits, and families looking absolutely stunning among the pines. Now that those sessions are wrapped, it’s time for the next (very important!) step: Ordering your Christmas cards. 🎄✨ If you want cards that do justice to your beautifully captured photos, choosing a high-quality printer makes all the difference. Here are some of the best places to order premium Christmas cards that will ma


The Top 5 Posing Tips Everyone Should Know Before a Session
If you’ve ever worried about “What do I do with my hands?” during photos, you are not alone! The truth is, most people feel a little nervous about posing before a photoshoot — but with a few simple tips, you can feel confident, natural, and camera-ready. At Kate Buckles Photography , we guide you through every step during your session, but knowing a few basics can help you feel relaxed before we even start. Here are the top posing tips everyone should know to look and feel t


🖨️ Print vs. Digital: Why Your Photos Deserve to Live Off Your Screen
In a world where everything lives on our phones — from grocery lists to our kids’ latest milestones — it’s easy for your beautiful photos to get buried in your camera roll. We snap thousands of pictures a year, yet how many actually make it into frames, albums, or onto your walls? At Kate Buckles Photography , we believe your memories deserve more than a quick swipe through your phone. They deserve to be seen , touched , and cherished — every single day. Here’s why printing


Creative Ways to Display Your Fall Mini Photos at Home
Your fall mini session is done, your gallery is delivered, and you’re in love with your photos (of course!). Now comes the fun part — deciding how to display them in your home. Fall photos have a special kind of magic… warm tones, cozy vibes, and timeless beauty that looks gorgeous in almost any space. At Kate Buckles Photography , we believe your photos deserve more than a hard drive. They should be printed, loved, and showcased in the places you live and gather. Here are s


📸 From Toddlers to Teens: How to Make Family Photos Fun for Every Age
Family photos are meant to capture joy, connection, and the beautiful chaos of your crew — but let’s be real, getting everyone from toddlers to teens to smile at the same time can feel like a miracle! At Kate Buckles Photography , we’ve seen it all — the shy smiles, the goofy giggles, and the too-cool-for-photos attitudes. The good news? With a little prep (and a lot of fun), your family photo session can be an experience everyone enjoys — no matter their age! Here are our be


📸 5 Tips for a Stress-Free Family Photo Session
Let’s be honest — family photos can feel a little overwhelming. Between choosing outfits, getting everyone ready, and hoping the kids cooperate, it’s easy to stress before the session even starts! But here’s the good news: with a little preparation (and the right mindset), your family photo session can be fun, relaxed, and full of genuine smiles. At Kate Buckles Photography , we believe your session should feel like a joyful family moment — not a chore! So here are our top 5


🌆 Urban vs. Nature: Finding the Right Vibe for Your Photos
When planning your photo session, one of the biggest choices you’ll make is where to shoot — and that decision sets the entire tone for your photos! Do you picture yourself surrounded by city lights, architecture, and bold textures? Or do you imagine golden fields, trees, and soft natural light? At Kate Buckles Photography , we love both styles — each offers something unique and beautiful! Whether you’re planning a family session or senior portraits , choosing between an urb


🎁 Best Gift Ideas for Families Who Have Everything
We all know that one family — the one who seems to have everything. Their shelves are full, their closets are stocked, and every year you find yourself wondering, What on earth do I get them this Christmas? Here’s a little secret: the best gift isn’t something you can wrap in a box… it’s something you can feel. ❤️ At Kate Buckles Photography , we believe the most meaningful gifts aren’t things — they’re memories. ✨ 1. Give the Gift of Time Together A family photo session is
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